MovieChat Forums > Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) Discussion > Cagney is the King

Cagney is the King

posted 18 years ago by washboard
1 reply | jump to latest

Well, I enjoy all films, be it comedy or no-brainers. I remember wondering why my parents watched Cagney gangster films. Then you get a bit older and curious and watch Public Enemy or White Heat and you see why he was such a famous star.

Sure Casino and Goodfellas are great films,but most modern filmgoers have no idea or ideed interset in Cagney's magificent gangster films. Even though they are dated to the 'Public Enemy' era, his performances are always astounding. Cagney walks on the set and you can't take your eyes off him.

I never thought that I would like Yankee Doodle Dandy. How wrong can one be.

Cagney as a dancer? The story of Cohan did not really interest me. What stuck out was Cagney.

He gives one of the greatest peformances ever seen in film. His sheer energy blows you away. The Yankee Doodle Dancing and the dancing down the steps at the Whitehouse are breathtaking.

As he tap dances down the Whitehouse staircase his 'walking' pace does not change. Astonishing. Must have been one hell of a dancer!

Sends shivers down my spine.

What a man. Cagney is the greatest!!

[–] csu16387 18 years ago

I've heard that Cagney's dance down the White House staircase was not scripted. He decided to do that sequence on his own. It's very memorable.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."