Featured Audience Ratings

• Josh M

  
  Yankee Doodle Dandy is a cliche packed, guilty pleasure, made sublime by the galvanic performance of James Cagney as song and dance man George M. Cohan. Directed by the capable Michael Curtiz, who could apparently direct anything, it also has gorgeous B & W cinematography from… More
  Yankee Doodle Dandy is a cliche packed, guilty pleasure, made sublime by the galvanic performance of James Cagney as song and dance man George M. Cohan. Directed by the capable Michael Curtiz, who could apparently direct anything, it also has gorgeous B & W cinematography from the great James Wong Howe and wonderful supporting performances by some great Warner Brothers contract players like Walter Huston, S.Z. Sakall (Carl from Casablanca) and Cagney's sister Jeanne playing his movie sister. The main reason to see this is for the joyful musical numbers, in particular, the title song, Give My Regards to Broadway, and It's a Grand Ol' Flag. Cagney doesn't even try to sing but spits out the lyrics with bravado and hoofs so engagingly that you can't take your eyes off him. He's no Fred Astaire, but he has such a wonderful fluid style and such a compact, lithe athleticism that he's just as watchable. The overblown chorus numbers are crackling entertainment, but be warned that they are not even half of the film's running length, so you'd have to skip through your DVD menu to avoid the schmaltzy and often maudlin scenes, like the elder Cohan's deathbed scene, which I ate up for dinner, but are for old movie fans only. Cohan comes off as arrogant and self-absorbed, but Cagney infuses him with humanity and warmth, so we can see why his family, friends and business associates might put up with him. I have no idea how accurate YDD is to reality, apparently Cohan was a nasty fellow who tried to bust the actor's union and had a savage cruel streak. Not here. The drama such as it is, has all the essential show biz bio flick scenes: the early struggling years, the hero's comeuppance, huge success straining the personal relationships, and the decline when the hero is considered a relic of the past, culminating in a big unexpected comeback. The film is book ended by a visit when Cohan is summoned to the White House by Roosevelt, where he related his life story to the President, who seems to have a lot of time to listen (the two hour length of the movie) especially during WWII, where you'd think the man might have more pressing concerns. This is not at the top level of the great old musical bio flicks, but it's lots of fun. It's really not much without Cagney, and fortunately this film offers a heaping helping of him.

• Jon L

  
  This is a great musical. I love the old style musicals where the song and acting are separate. Sure, the song can tell a story, but this shows that the cast can dramatically act as well. It was a well done film all around with great music, acting, writing and inspiration. I had a… More
  This is a great musical. I love the old style musicals where the song and acting are separate. Sure, the song can tell a story, but this shows that the cast can dramatically act as well. It was a well done film all around with great music, acting, writing and inspiration. I had a lot of fun watching this one and if you like the old black and white films, this is one to watch.

• erika b

  
  The music was the only thing good about this film.

• Spencer S

  
  "My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you." An obvious propaganda film for the country during WWII, the elaborate and patriotic story of George M. Cohan was illustrated with several big numbers, memorable songs, and the quite… More
  "My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you." An obvious propaganda film for the country during WWII, the elaborate and patriotic story of George M. Cohan was illustrated with several big numbers, memorable songs, and the quite surprising dancing of James Cagney, who is expressively known for his gangster pictures. A nice musical, and fluff filled biopic.

• AJ V

  
  Are you a fan of Cagney? Would you love to see him sing and dance? Then this movie is for you. If not, don't see this movie.

• jay n

  
  Cagney won the oscar for this? Hokey, maudlin and saccharine by turns add into that the overlength and it a stuggle to get thorough. Of course the music is good as is Cagney too but he was far superior in many other films.

• Stella D

  
  i know it's corny but i love this film and if you haven't seen cagney dance you're in for a treat.

• danny d

  
  this is a genuine musical masterpiece. one of the best films i have ever seen and certainly near the top of the great musicals, this film is a deep tale of patriotism and achievement. the film follows cohans life with perfect pace and a high level of engagement. we see the… More
  this is a genuine musical masterpiece. one of the best films i have ever seen and certainly near the top of the great musicals, this film is a deep tale of patriotism and achievement. the film follows cohans life with perfect pace and a high level of engagement. we see the character grow as a person and develop powerfully. there are striking similarities with citizen kane released a year earlier, but i actually enjoyed this film more than that one. cagney recieved a best actor oscar for his role and he deserved it in one of his many great performances. the music was perfect and well placed, striking out against the idea that a musical has to be mostly music. a great classic. "my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and i thank you."

• xGary X

  
  Not really my kind of thing, but Cagney really throws his all into the part of all-singing all-dancing George M. Cohan. But I'll stick to his gangster films, thank you very much.

• Byron B

  
  That gangster James Cagney can sing and dance!! I enjoyed this biopic very much especially for Cagney's against type performance. He is very talented.

• Mike N

  
  Just filling in movie ratings, folks. A couple of James Cagneys and some airplane flicks. Wish I had more to say. What's up with that, anyway? Not having the energy for journals anymore? To speak freely like so many of us once did? The activity on these things has sharply… More
  Just filling in movie ratings, folks. A couple of James Cagneys and some airplane flicks. Wish I had more to say. What's up with that, anyway? Not having the energy for journals anymore? To speak freely like so many of us once did? The activity on these things has sharply declined on an aggregate level, I imagine, coinciding with the exodus of departing vets for lives of non-RTness. Are we collectively growing less bored with our age or perhaps more tired of each other? What happened to that urge to be that proud monolith in the crashing sea of internet noise? What hath killed the desire to be defiantly bored and ramble on and on and on and on and on in these (eventual) online epitaphs, all for the world's attention? Movies are to blame! There are some good ones, sure, but so few to really champion among our online brethren. Nothing seems capable of sending our blood to a boil anymore. Where have all the quality juggernauts gone? C'moooon, PJ! Let's rock The Hobbit! That'll lure 'em back to the yard! Just...a few more years of...quiet leaves scuttling on the porch, the gentle breeze of yellowing days our only measurement... And so it is autumn.

• Matthew Y

  
  It's almost humorous that an actor known for his violent and anti-hero characters got his start, and truly his heart lies, in the whimsical and cheery musical stage shows. Cagney stared in several type films but few have upheld themselves as well as Yankee Doodle Dandy.… More
  It's almost humorous that an actor known for his violent and anti-hero characters got his start, and truly his heart lies, in the whimsical and cheery musical stage shows. Cagney stared in several type films but few have upheld themselves as well as Yankee Doodle Dandy. Although some of the musical numbers are almost unbearably familiar (not to mention patriotic) the film maintains an undeniable charm that keeps its audience smiling and cheering throughout its surprisingly long run-time. It might not be the most revered Cagney performance nor the most fondly remembered musical but there's more than enough here to recommend for cinema fans of all ages.

• Mark K

  
  While it was intended for a propaganda vehicle during wartime, this film transcends its campy and sentimental trappings because of the electric performance of James Cagney. As a biography of a great entertainer, it also succeeds, and covers a lot of ground through Cohan's long… More
  While it was intended for a propaganda vehicle during wartime, this film transcends its campy and sentimental trappings because of the electric performance of James Cagney. As a biography of a great entertainer, it also succeeds, and covers a lot of ground through Cohan's long career. If you're a student of history, or just love film and theater, you'll appreciate the nods to Vaudeville, the comedy, and song-and-dance acts. It's like a time capsule, and a great chapter in the history of entertainment: Broadway was built by Vaudevillians including Cohan on one figurative side of the street and Frohman's organization (the higher brows) on the other. The film's all Cagney, though. His incredible on-screen performance is just brilliant. While he's better known for his tough guy roles, this is probably one of his best performances, and one he considered his best as well, and for which he won Best Actor. The direction and filming is snappy and fluid considering its time, but that's to be expected when capturing Cagney's energy. The supporting cast was also splendid, with cameos by some famous Vaudevillians. If you've never seen this, you owe it to yourself to experience it on a big screen, in a classic movie house if you can. or on the biggest TV screen you can find or rent. It's just plain fun.

• Andrew F

  
  Not doubt a classic, but it's not spectacular. The ending was very good.

• Lizzy B

  
  I'll admit it wasn't as cheesey as I thought it would be. James Cagney did a really great job and is an excellent dancer. Made me want to try tap dancing again...

Read all 15 featured audience ratings