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65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most "American" movie ever made? Quite possibly!, January 25, 2005
Oh what an out-and-out joy is this film!
As you know by now, the amazing James Cagney sings, dances and acts his way through this rousing biopic of George M. Cohan. He's directed by Michael Curtiz, a director who apparently could work in any genre of movie, and produce masterpieces. Pull up his name on imdb and you'll see what I mean.
Anyways, the film traces his life from his infant vaudevillian beginnings to his conquering of Broadway. After seeing this, you'll know why there's a statue of Cohan in Times Square.
The acting, as expected, is top-notch, with the sweet Joan Leslie as his love interest Mary, Walter Huston as his dad; Cagney's sister plays Cagney's sister...but what will bring you to see this movie again and again are the musical interludes.
Cagney is simply spectacular. He is a comet, bouncing around the Broadway stage. His dancing often flirts with straight-out levitation. I swear there are times when his feet fly across the screen...
Then consider the songs..."Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Mary", "Give My Regards to Broadway" and the most patriotic song I've ever heard, "Over There."
That song was written for the troops of WW I, and this film was being made when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The way this one song is used in this film, I guarantee, will stay with you forever. And knowing that this movie was made during that time only enhances your experience...but I didn't know it until afterwards, and it made no difference.
And that leads to the one thing I feel is overlooked in most reviews of this film: the script. It's has a strong story, great lines, terrific set-pieces and delightful twists. It's funny as all-get-out, and heart-wrenching when you least expect it.
The movie is as American as can be...the rags-to-riches rise of the central figure in Broadway history (the Broadway musical being essentially an American creation), the way his family travels to all the new states as they are incorporated...the evolution of New York City...WW I...WW II...it's all here!
And from beginning to end, Cohan (and the filmmakers) wear their "Grand Old Flag" on their proverbial sleeves, proudly and unabashedly. Patriotism is a definite theme througout the film, rising to dizzying heights right before the credits. Patriotism portrayed simply and honestly, without any hard political bent or satirical edge.
The DVD, one of those sweet Warner 2-disc sets, is exemplary...great transfer, nice extras...bravo Warner, again, for treating your classics with respect.
It's inarguable: this is one of the great films of all time. I envy those of you about to see it for the first time, and I assure you it won't be your last!
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!, June 14, 2000
GREAT FILM! And making it to the top 100 (for the 100 best movies ever made), this musical starring James Cagney as George M. Cohan is about the life of Cohan and the 4 Cohan's. George Cohan, wrote songs such as "The Yankee Doodle Boy", "Give My Regards to Broadway", "Overthere", "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Mary", "Off The Record", "H.A.R.R.I.G.A.N." etc....In this movie playing his sister (Josie Cohan), is really his real sister (Jeanne Cagney). And on the set, Eddie Foy was played by a son of his (Eddie Foy Jr.). At the ending when James Cagney is walking down the stairs, then is tap dancing was not in the script. Originally Cagney was to just walk down, the rest he improvised. If you're interested in musicals with good stories to tell and song & dances numbers (that were first done by Cohan when the plays first came out and were a big hit.), this would be a good movie to get for your classic musical collection.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's A Grand Old Movie, October 3, 2003
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY is one of the great feel good movies of all time. The movie tells the story of the life of George M. Cohan as told by Cohan himself to Franklin Roosevelt. Though he is proud of himself and his accomplishments, we see in Cohan someone who had great success but also learned from his bumps, bruises, and mistakes. It is a Hollywood extravaganza. There are song and dance numbers, a large all star cast, and it is pure pleasure all the way. The factor that makes the film so special is James Cagney in the role of Cohan. Perhaps because he plays the bad guy so often, we are surprised to see him singing and dancing as a nice guy. Many believe that this role was his best and shows his versatility as an actor. I could not agree more.The movie has historic value. It was released in the early years of World War II, at a time when Americans were confident but unsure as to what would happen in the war. Movies such as YANKEE DOODLE DANDY stirred patriotism at such a critical moment in our history. This becomes especially clear when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from Roosevelt at the end of the film. The two disc special addition has an added bonus of a disc about Cagney's life hosted by Michael J. Fox-an added bonus for old movie buffs.
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