I`ve seen this film a hundred times (well maybe not that many) and every time I see it I wait for the last reel when Cagney leaves the Presidents office and dances down the stairs.
It feels so improvised and utterly a feeling of how thrilled George is at being honored by the President that you can`t help but feel an empathy with him and his happiness. He was one of the greats and this scene shows why.
I just watched this scene on TCM - he is so darn adorable! When the movie ended, Robert Osborne said the dance wasn't scripted - that Cagney basically "adlibbed" it. Whether scripted or off the cuff, it's one of my favorite movie scenes.
shareThis scene was indeed improvised by Cagney. He himself said it was one of his favorite scenes.
One hellofa dancer.
Linda
That is my favorite scene of any movie--the fact that it was improvised, and done with so much joy and skill, for no audience other than the two butlers (and, of course, the invisible audience we are part of) still chokes me up.
share