98. Yankee Doodle Dandy

I've just pressed the play button on my dvd remote, more out of desperation and an increasing feeling of cabin fever than anything.  I've had the disc for over a week, but it's hard to be excited over a title I probably never would have watched, had it not been for this list. I should be in class right now, but the mini-blizzard that happened yesterday made my 45 minute commute to school not the slightest bit worth it. And as I just finished season two of 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' I decided now was as good a time as any to give YANKEE DOODLE DANDY the fair shot it deserves.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942) is a biographical musical film about George M. Cohan, the actor/singer/dancer/playwright/songwriter/producer/theatre owner/director/choreographer known as "The Man Who Owns Broadway." The film commences in the early days of WWII; Cohan (James Cagney) has come out of retirement to star as Franklin D. Roosevelt in a show called "I'd Rather be Right."  He is summoned to meet President Roosevelt at the White House, where he is presented with a Congressional Gold Medal.  Cohan then chats with the President, and recalls his early days on the stage.  A flashback to Cohan's birth (July 4th) reveals his father as a vaudeville performer. 

Cohan and his sister, Josie (played by Cagney's real-life sister, Jeanne), become integral parts of the family act as soon as they learn to dance.  Soon, The Four Cohans are performing together, successfully. However, as their reputation grows, so does George's ego.  He becomes too cocky for his own good and is blacklisted by theatrical producers for being troublesome.  Cohan strikes out on his own and attempts to sell his songs and plays, unsuccessfully, around producers.  After meeting Sam Harris, another writer searching for success, the two form a partnership and finally are able to interest a producer.

After gaining success with "Yankee Doodle Boy" and other songs and productions, George is able to persuade his parents, whose act is struggling, to join his act, eventually vesting some of his valuable theatrical properties in their name.  Cohan later retires, but is seen on stage again several times, his role as President Roosevelt that we saw as the film opened being the culmination.  Leaving the White House, he dances down the stairs.  He then joins a military parade, where the soldiers are singing "Over There."  The soldiers invite Cohan to join them, clueless to the fact that he is the composer.  He joins them, giving us the last Cohan/Cagney performance of the film.

James Cagney won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of George M. Cohan.  The film itself won Oscars for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound, Recording. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was selected by the Library of Congress in 1993 for preservation in the National Film Registry.  Though some liberties were taken regarding Cohan's biography in order to Hollywood-ize his life, I enjoyed the film.  His divorce and remarriage were omitted, and there are some chronological inaccuracies, but overall the film is a wonderful tribute to George M. Cohan.  I find myself pleasantly surprised and entertained.

"My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you."