Yankee Doodle Dandy, the musical biography of patriotic song-and-dance man George M. Cohan, rates as the favorite film of its star, James Cagney. Although he now seems the only logical choice, Cagney would have missed out on his big chance if a deal between Cohan and MGM to make a film to be called The Four Cohans hadn't fizzled out. Cagney was eager to play Cohan because he was, at the time, suspected of being a communist sympathizer due to his union activities (he was president of the Screen Actors' Guild) and because of his open support of the New Deal. He wanted to show his patriotism on screen, and the George M. Cohan story was the perfect vehicle to do this. Yankee Doodle Dandy, with its many flag-waving musical numbers, proved just the ticket for World War II-era audiences and became the top-grossing movie of its year, as well as Warners' top-grossing movie to that time. It was nominated for Academy Awards in eight categories, including Best Picture and Director (Curtiz), and won three Oscars, including one for Cagney as Best Actor.
› Yankee Doodle Dandy is a biography of the early nineteenth-century showman and songwriter George M. Cohan, known for his flag-waving patriotic songs like "You're a Grand Old Flag", "Over There", and “The Yankee Doodle Boy.” Cohan shopped the rights to his life story around to movie studios for several years. At one time, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was planning to make the story of the young Cohan with juvenile star Mickey Rooney, but that deal fell through. Later, producer Sam Goldwyn planned to cast dancer Fred Astaire as Cohan, but Astaire felt he wasn’t right for the role.
› Prior to 1942, actor James Cagney was somewhat typecast by the moviegoing public, who loved him in gangster and tough-guy roles such as those in Public Enemy (1931) and Angels with Dirty Faces (1938). Yankee Doodle Dandy provided a chance for Cagney to show off his rarely-seen song-and-dance talents, and the role earned him an Academy Award.
› George M. Cohan's sister Josie was portrayed in Yankee Doodle Dandy by James Cagney's real-life sister, Jeanne Cagney.
› Just as Yankee Doodle Dandy was going before the cameras, the United States entered World War II. The film then became a perfect opportunity for a patriotic salute in support of the war effort. Although the flag-waving patriotism of George M. Cohan's music was written for an earlier era, it fit in perfectly with the mood of the nation in 1942.
› George M. Cohan was one of the most prolific songwriters of his era, and was also a playwright, dancer, and actor. He was known as "the man who owned Broadway" in the pre-World War I years, and is widely considered to be the originator of the Musical Comedy genre.
› Cohan was born in 1878 to a show business family. Family records indicate that he was born on July 3rd, although they later insisted that George was “born on the Fourth of July.” George’s parents Jeremiah and Nellie were performers in vaudeville, and brought George and his sister Josie into the act when they were small children; the act became known as The Four Cohans. The Cohans were successful, and George would close their routines by saying to the audience, “My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you.”
› George M. Cohan’s first big solo hit on Broadway was a 1904 show called Little Johnny Jones which featured the songs “The Yankee Doodle Boy” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.” This show was featured prominently in the 1942 movie with James Cagney.
› In 1936, Cohan was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his contributions to morale during World War I, in particular his songs "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There".
› Cohan died at age 64 on November 5, 1942, of abdominal cancer. Although he was sick when the Warner Bros. biography of his life was released earlier that year, the studio gave him a private screening of the film.
› During the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress of American colonies approved a resolution on July 2nd, 1776, effectively initiating the legal separation of the colonies from Great Britain. Founding Father John Adams predicted that July 2nd would be celebrated from that moment on as a Day of Independence. However, the resolution was further debated by the Congress and a formal Declaration of Independence was finally approved two days later, on July 4th.
› Only two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence went on to become President of the United States: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. By an incredible coincidence, both men died on the same day: July 4th, 1826 – the 50th birthday of the U.S.
› The first official use of the term “Independence Day” occurred in 1791, and in 1870 Congress declared July 4th to be a Federal Holiday.
1776 (1972)
Broadway's rousing musical celebration of the Founding Fathers and the birth of America was brought to the screen by legendary producer Jack L. Warner.
BABES ON BROADWAY (1941)
Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney are show-biz hopefuls who stage a musical benefit for an orphanage that includes George M. Cohan songs “The Yankee Doodle Boy” & “Mary’s a Grand Old Name.” (Included in the Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection).
THE FIGHTING 69TH (1940)
James Cagney plays a scrappy Brooklyn boy who is recruited into the all-Irish 69th New York Army Regiment by Father Duffy (Pat O'Brien). Includes the George M. Cohan song, “Over There.”
SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT (1937)
Jimmy Cagney's at his foot-tappin' best as a New York bandleader who is offered a movie contract in this song-filled comedy that includes a few jabs at the Hollywood studio system.
MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES (1957)
James Cagney stars as silent star Lon Chaney, the son of deaf-mute parents who thrilled audiences with his make-up and portrayals of the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame and other grotesqueries.
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)
James Cagney is a bundle of energy in his Oscar-winning portrayal of Broadway legend George M. Cohan.
Yankee Doodle Dandy -- (Movie Clip) 1891
Yankee Doodle Dandy -- (Movie Clip) Dietz and Goff
Yankee Doodle Dandy -- (Movie Clips) Four Cohans
Yankee Doodle Dandy -- (Movie Clip) My Father Thanks You...
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› George M. Cohan was one of the most prolific songwriters of his era, and was also a playwright, dancer, and actor. He was known as "the man who owned Broadway" in the pre-World War I years, and is widely considered to be the originator of the Musical Comedy genre.
› During the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress of American colonies approved a resolution on July 2nd, 1776, effectively initiating the legal separation of the colonies from Great Britain. Founding Father John Adams predicted that July 2nd would be celebrated from that moment on as a Day of Independence. However, the resolution was further debated by the Congress and a formal Declaration of Independence was finally approved two days later, on July 4th.
