Yankee Doodle Dandy MGM Musicals

When I watch this movie, I become a Yankee Doodle Dandy, too! Patriotic? Yes, but without the usual nausea. And, oh, the dancing! Sign me up! Propaganda at its most delightful!

This movie shows what actor’s actually did to entertain. Todays actors and actresses don’t have much talent .This movie is truly a good movie.

When "Yankee Doodle Dandy" opened in movie theatres across America in June of 1942, the country had been suddenly(and tragically) pulled into another World War with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. It was the perfect film to lift up the American spirit after such a devastating event as Pearl Harbor due in no small part by it's subject matter. George M. Cohan was not only born on the 4th of July, but wrote songs that were so patriotic that he could only be played on film by someone equal in stature. That person was James Cagney and in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" he gives the performance of a lifetime(which won him his only Oscar). He finally showed his studio that he was more than just a gangster and bad guy. Warner's has finally brought this outstanding film to Blu-ray through it's Warner Archive Collection and like their other releases, it's simply beautiful. Warner Home Video(separate from WAC) originally released "Yankee Doodle Dandy" on a two-disc special edition DVD in 2003 and as good as that DVD was it really pales in comparison to this new Blu-ray upgrade from WAC which fans of the film have been requesting for years. Warner's has given "Yankee Doodle Dandy" an above average bitrate(27.99) and the results are outstanding to say the least. The cinematography by the great James Wong Howe is really put on display with blacks and whites being sharp and detailed especially during the many musical numbers. It's those musical numbers which really shine now with even the smallest details(costumes, set designs, etc.) looking absolutely beautiful in all it's B & W glory. The only print damage(very minor) is during some of the flashback montage scenes but the majority of the film has been cleaned up of any vertical lines, specks, dirt, and other film damage and the result is a very pleasing and film like presentation. The Audio(English DTS-HD MA 2.0) has been improved too with all musical numbers being loud and clear, so much so that you'll have to lower the volume. The entire production is a joy to watch now that it has finally been released on Blu-ray. Despite being in B & W, it's one of the greatest musicals ever made and holds up well after more than seventy years. Acting honors must surely go to Cagney for his magnificent performance, but the supporting cast of the other three Cohans- Walter Huston, Rosemary Decamp, and Jeanne Cagney(Jimmy's real life sister) are just wonderful in their roles. Joan Leslie, who plays Cagney's love interest and soon to be wife, is equally outstanding. She and Cagney are just great in their scenes together. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is 125 minutes(Aspect ratio: 1.33:1) and only contains the following subtitle: English SDH. Special features include all the ones from the 2003 DVD except the biography of James Cagney. The Blu-ray disc itself is housed in a standard and sturdy case for added protection. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is not only one of best musicals released by Warner Brothers but may be one the greatest ever. WAC has finally given this classic film the respect it deserves with a superb Blu-ray presentation that will please anyone viewing it for many years to come. It should occupy a space in every film collectors library and comes highly recommended.

LOVE this movie, James Cagney, his dancing, and the marvelous Walter Huston. But my main reason for leaving a review is to mention Rosemary DeCamp, the wonderful actress who played George M. Cohan's mother. I started out as a film major way back when, and it irks me that for some reason she gets like 6th billing- why, Irene Manning, who played Fay Templeton and was lesser known than DeCamp, had just a few minutes of screen time, and got higher billing. Mystifying. DeKamp was a Hollywood mainstay, much loved (a favorite of mine), and next to James Cagney probably the most recognizable person in the film.DeCamp (1910- 2001) had a long show-biz career, starting in 1937 (after first working as a newspaper reporter) and continuing until the mid 80s. In addition to radio, films, and commercials (e.g., 20 Mule Team Borax), she was in dozens of TV shows, from The Life of Riley, Rawhide and Death Valley Days to Petticoat Junction, That Girl (Ann Marie's mother), The Partridge Family (Shirley Jones's mother), and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Buck's mother). After Spring Byington (whose acting career began in 1908 (!) and lasted until I Dream of Jeannie and The Flying Nun in the late 60's), DeCamp is probably identified as "mom" more than anyone else in the 20th century. She was also famed for Howard Hughes crashing an experimental plane into her house in Beverly Hills. She and her husband were in bed and the wing of the plane just missed them. Anyway, no-one seems to mention her and she lent her dignity, beauty and quiet grace to the film as Cohan's mother (though curiously she was 11 years younger than Cagney).And while I'm waxing nostalgic on trivia surrounding the film, regarding the marvelous Walter Huston (father of director John Huston, grandfather of actress Angelica), who plays the elder Cohan- in 1909, at age 26, he fell in love with one Mina Rose, age 44. He saw her on stage, and left his wife & job as the manager of a power plant to tour in Vaudeville with her. Divorced in 1924, when he was 41 & she 59, they were together for 15 years. For me his best film was  Dodsworth , just wonderful.BTW, in Yankee Doodle Dandy Josie Cohan, George's sister, is played by Cagney's real life sister Jeanne. Cagney is over the top in this film. He began as a dancer in 1919, dancing was his real love and it shows. No-one else displays such exuberance- a joy to watch (and I'm not much of fan of dance, but Cagney's in a class all his own). If you haven't seen this you MUST- perfect for the 4th of July, patriotic American schmaltz of the highest order.Pics: Rosemary DeCamp circa 1950s, and from Yankee Doodle Dandy, from left to right- Jeanne Cagney, James Cagney, Rosemary DeCamp, Walter Huston

Love this musical of the composer George Cohan played by James Carney. The patriotism portrayed is what this country was and is made of. Vaudeville acts at its best. I kept waiting for this 1942 movie to be remastered in color but don't seem like that will ever happen. Who knew James Cagney could tap so well!!! Musical lovers a must see !

Great

This is the story of George M. Cohan, one of the greatest entertainers in American history and one of the greatest writers of American Patriotic music. It stars James Cagney as Cohan. Cagney, himself, was a Hollywood legend as s dramatic actor but he was probably the greatest tap dancer, far exceeding many, like Fred Astaire, who were known more for their dancing than acting. Cagney's dancing is showcased in this movie, I believe for the only time in his long career. Cohan was the first (and perhaps, only) civilian awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. That was presented by President Roosevelt shortly before the US entered WWII. This is a perfect movie to watch any time, but especially on the 4th of July.

I didn't realize that Yankee Doodle Dandy movie was new. What a great surprise. I love the songs and the story behind how the patriotisms of George M. Cohan expressed itself. We need an ocean of this spread through out our country today. Not sure if my girlfriend will like it, but, oh well.

James Cagney survolté et irréprochable, comme d'habitude. Un pan d'histoire du "vaudeville" américain (ce qu'on appelait en France le "music-hall"). Numéros musicaux impeccables et joliment mis en scène, à l'ancienne. Walter Huston (le père de John) formidable et montrant qu'un acteur de la grande période hollywoodienne des "films d'usine" (comme je les appelle) savaient TOUT faire : jouer, chanter, danser...

Es una película maravillosa y la edición está a la altura. Buena calidad de imagen y sonido; sólo se echan de menos subtítulos.

Le cinéma musical américain dans sa splendeur : dynamisme, musique, danse, acteurs appropriés (James Cagney formidable) ...mais pour certains, un regret : le noir et blanc!!!

Una de esas pelis que me maravillaron de niña y que ahora me hacen pensar de que me maravilla.Es antigua y vieja.

Parfait