Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
Michael Curtiz's "Yankee Doodle Dandy" Going in to Michael Curtiz's 1942 musical biopic " Yankee Doodle Dandy ," I felt a little uncertain. On paper, this film is not something I would typically enjoy. However, I was utterly charmed by this film; its unabashed earnestness, its lighthearted tempo, and most specifically for James Cagney's performance. The film is a biographical picture detailing the entire life of George M. Cohan, as known as "The Man Who Owned Broadway." Starting out in his early days of vaudeville, Cohan travelled with his father, mother, and sister in a troupe called "The Four Cohans." As he begins to thrive as a playwright and songwriter, Cohan starts to make his mark on patriotic anthems like " Yankee Doodle Boy ," " Over There ," and " You're a Grand Ole' Flag ." The film is a celebration of the life of Cohan and a celebration of his impact on Broadway and American culture.