Episode 4: Yankee Doodle Dandy

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Star-spangled Cagney

This week, Windy introduces Vinnie & Mike to the wonders of a tap-dancing Cagney in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.

A straight-up, no frills, no unnecessary “plot” or “conflict” biopic of George M. Cohan, legendary songwriter and showman – and ego. Every patriotic song you were taught in 3rd grade was written by George M.

Directed by Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA, WHITE CHRISTMAS, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD), the movie is gorgeous and the costumes are stunning. More importantly, it’s perhaps the only record of the particular style of dancing and showmanship that was a Cohan show. Cohan lived to see the movie premiere and approved of Cagney’s performance (Cagney worked with the choreographer who was Cohan’s assistant to master the quirkiness of Cohan’s dancing style).

We enjoyed Giving Our Regards to the Broadway of old while watching Cagney wave that Grand Old Flag – we hope you will too.

Also – we loved the hats.

Yankee Doodle Dandy's hats

Guaranteeing you really have a “good side”

James Cagney & Bob Hope in THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
Yankee Doodle Dandy poster Rating: 7.6/10 (16,748 votes)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer: Robert Buckner, Edmund Joseph, Julius J. Epstein
Stars: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston
Runtime: 126 min
Rated: Passed
Genre: Biography, Drama, Family
Released: 06 Jun 1942
Plot: The life of the renowned musical composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer George M. Cohan.

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