I met James Cagney in 1963 at the Pasadena California train station. I was 10 years old at the time. I got his autograph. My mother noticed him and had me go over to meet him. Stil have it today 2023!
Decades ago, I knew a man who had enormous experience in the entertainment business. Business dealings with a big list of stars. I asked him a question. Who was a great actor? He replied, James Cagney. I asked, why. The answer I received was that Cagney could walk onto a movie set and turn on the magic like no other person ! Looking at this video about the career of James Cagney, you have to agree.....100 per-cent!
When I was a little girl my mom would have me watch old movies with her. I fell I love with James Cagney and said when I grew up I wanted to marry him. I still feel the same way as an old lady today. No leading man from that day to this could ever sway my heart!!! What a genuine, lovely, talented amazing man. Wasn’t anything he couldn’t do!!! Love you Jimmy RIP!!
No one ever talks about what a brilliant dancer he was, this man was one of the Greats. They don't make them like this any more. Loved everything he touch.
@@philiphalpenny9761 & most of all ASTAIRE was no great dramatic actor like him ALWAYS WONDERED HOW JIM-(disliked being called JIMMY though) felt when just before he died in 1942 GEORGE M. COHAN is quoted all over as saying SPENCER TRACY YOUR THE BEST DAMN ACTOR I EVER SAW unquote???
@@jeffshannon6914 Cohan was shown the film Yankee Doodle dandy before he died and paid Cagney the wonderful compliment "my god, what an act to follow"...
@@judithscobee8102 it's Fred Astaire: Cagney was 2nd to Fred Astaire who had specialized in dancing, but wasn't a good actor: you shouldn't have missed Fred Astaire dancing anyway.
well Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor are definitely greater than Cagney on the dancing, you can't compare them & we've only ever seen one routine in Yankee Doodle Dandy.
@@monoecumsemper you forgot Donald O'Connor who didn't get the recognition he deserved as he was always the second string Stars. Cagney on film only had this dancing part in what was a tribute to the soldiers fighting.
He was an incredible dancer! I've watched Yankee Doodle Dandy at least 500 times. In my recital at my dance studio, I recreated the entire Grand Old Flag number. He wasn't just a tap dancer but also executed ballet moves in his dancing extremely well (dancing down the White House stairs were actually jetes. At his funeral, Baryshnikov was one of his pall bearers.
That's the GREATEST ! YAY for you all, Donna ! Where is your styudio? Just broke my dang R elbow in tap class last Nov. - sheesh - but anyway --- Yes - 500 times?! Good on ya -- lol - You've got a FEW more on me, but not many. JAMES CAGNEY FOREVER! 😍
Cagney, Bogart, Cary Grant, James Stewart. Watching their work you realise These guys were GIANTS. Wasn't just performances, these personalities are joys to behold.
You forgot the Great Edward g Robinson people mostly think of him as a gangster just as they did Cagney but when you think of him in his film noir like a red house or where he was the fisherman in I believe 37 you begin to realize how special this man that it was do not count him out
This is priceless for us Cagney fans. I wrote to him when I was an 19-year old Brummie A-level student and he sent back an autograph on a postcard of one of his paintings - this was 1981. What a lovely, decent and wise man he was - and an unforgettable natural actor. Thanks for posting this.
I've loved him ever since I was a little kid (I'm a senior citizen now). My mother was a lifelong showbiz buff and when an old movie with one of her favorite stars from the 30's came on TV, she would tell me all about the performers in it. Cagney was my favorite from the get-go. You look at what this man could do, and it's just mind-boggling. To be able to act so compellingly from sheer bone-deep instinct -- and to draw the eye irresistibly to himself in any scene even without speaking! -- that is a rare enough thing. But then you see him dance, and your jaw just drops. He moved so gracefully, buoyantly and with breathtaking -- and seemingly effortless -- precision. And you can see that he loved it, which makes it even more of a joy to behold. I will never stop marveling at the enormity of this man's talent. God rest his soul.
Hello Christine, I’m with you ! Cagney was amazing and ( very important): not a racist bone in his body. That’s another reason I wish he was here with us today …
Pacino in Scarface & Pesci in Scorsese's Goodfellas were clearly taking notes of Cagney's unhinged performance in White Heat. Jack Nicholson displays the same manic glee in the infamous " heeeer'es Johnnnyy" scene that Jim uses in the equally infamous grapefruit scene in Public Enemy. arched eyebrows...teeth baring..." i wish you was a wishing well..."
How I love this man, James Cagney! I think he was the finest of Hollywood actors. He was real and had depth with empathy, compassion, drama and comedy. Fantastic human being!!!
The OG triple threat, the finest natural actor for all time, Mr. James Francis Cagney. No method, no pretense, just, and I quote, "just walk in, plant your feet, and say what you have to say. " We don't have anyone these days to compare. I try to think of actors and actresses today who could come close, and there's a few, but I've never seen anyone who could play good guy, bad guy, antihero, sing, dance, act like it's just as easy as breathing like Cagney could. My favorite actor since I was 12, and I guess he will always be my favorite actor.
His dance moves were stunning. What footwork. His whole body, his whole being exploding forward like a rocket. Perfectly orchestrated. A true professional at top form. I doubt anyone ever will match his persona! You can only stare in wonder!
Such a wise man! Such a talented man. Such a character! He was made for the industry! Tough as nails and as sweet as honey! I could hear his stories for days! This was very enjoyable to watch!
Audey Murphy was working in the gym cleaning up the gym and Cagney found out he was a decorated war hero and took Audey to Hollywood to make him an actor . It changed Murphy's life and he became a star!
I've always loved him, when I was a kid I tried to dance like him. Now that I'm grown up I love him even more. When I learned that he was a artist I felt a special connection because I too love to draw and paint. His and my parents generation are the work horses and pavers, with faith in Our Lord Jesus and hard work you can do anything. In my heart he will never be forgotten.
@@mikepatrick5909 McDowell once said..." everything i do is an ode to Cagney...the greatest screen actor...bar none!". First scene in A Clockwork Orange has Alex staring at us that baleful, murderous glare is spookily reminiscent of JC...
SIMPLY THE BEST! GREAT ACTING WITH NO FOUL LANGUAGE. I'D RATHER WATCH A CAGNEY OR BOGART MOVIE THAN ANY OF TODAY'S MOVIES! JAMES WANTED TO BE KNOWN AS "THE SONG AND DANCE MAN". HE IS MISSED. A BIG THANK YOU TO TH-cam.
It really is a pleasure to watch a movie with no nudity, fowl language just a good story. It doesn't matter what the year people will always enjoy a good story, directed well with great artists portraying the characters. We have good actors today, we just need the writing to be better. I don't feel that the actors were better then, they had better material
Yes a quality film does not need foul language, it speaks for itself. Have seen so many "decent" films that could have been "great" but for the language. That also goes for TV and stage these days, the mark of a true professional does not need that. It was never about being prudish it was pure professionalism and entertainment at it's best.
Truly one of the greatest actors of all time.. As a young child in the 60's I watched every movie he ever made and of course all the oldie and goodies Angels with dirty faces and Yankee doodle dandy. Truly my childhood idol.. They don't make em like him anymore.. Hollyweird has gone way down hill.. Thanks Jimmy
People of that generation tended to be more modest even if they were high achievers. They knew their roots and they knew they depended on the continuing good will of their fans to stay in their position.
One of the reasons the GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD was (and still is ) so memorable He lit up the screen whether as tough guy "gangstering", dancing, roughnecking with his leading ladies-just like a force of nature...
BACK THEN WHEN THEY MADE A LOUSY PICTURE THEY ARE STILL ENTERTAINING i.e. PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE & OTHERS I SOUND LIKE AN OLD MAN, BUT AM JUST 56 NOW-(fell in love withTHE MOVIES at age 15) NOW, AN AWFUL RELEASE IS USUALLY DISGUSTINGLY BAD INSTEAD
An actor who knows who he is even when he isn’t acting, and does not allow others to do his thinking for him. Can you find that today? Not even a little. Even at this age, he was so cute! I always loved you, James Cagney and I still do. Even as an 80 year old man, you were thrilling. I miss you, James.
Richard Schickel who is interviewing him has a lot of passion for movies and comes across as stuck up and doesn't have the personality for the camera like Leonard Maltin does.
So many old movies and actors seem dated and overacted when you watch them today. Not James Cagney. Always on point with his roles. So natural and they def still hold up!
I saw Ragtime when it was first released. When Cagney hit the screen it was electrifying. It was the first time he'd been on the big screen in my lifetime.
I loved Cagney the 1st time I saw on film and even though he was way before my time, there still isn't anyone today that could even come close to him...what I would do to go back in time and meet him in the 30's.
Yes, the truly great stars have that magical chemistry. I saw White Heat & a wicked depression-era comedy, Hard To Handle, in the same week and i was hooked. Matchless dynamism!
@@robstack3712 Cagney had never been a street thug in real life, but he did grow up on the mean streets of New York and he wasn't a pushover, either, from what I remember reading about his youth and young manhood.
Feb, 4, 2019 ~ I grew up in the 50s My folks had a 10" TV with an Antenna on the roof. Back then they played all the old 30s and 40s movies on TV. I grew up with Pat O-Brian, Cagney and Boggie. Oh Sure Gene Audrey, Hop Along Casity and Roy & Dale were on TV to. This brings back so many great memories of my family all gathered in the living room watching the old movies then. Now they're over 80 yrs old! Thanks:
Mr. Cagney as Mr. Wells said in an interview was the greatest actor ever. Mr Wells being a genius and director of the greatest movie of all time would know.
Loved Cagney when I was growing up. My favorite movie of his was Yankee Doodle Dandy! I watched it on tv when they had million dollar movie on every nite!
Orson Welles said :He broke every rule of acting but never hammed it up.That's why he's the best actor ever.I was a fan long before i knew what Welles said about Cagney.
Best tough guy ever. Most talented, diverse and multi faceted film star Hollywood ever produced. He was great at it because he simply gave us himself! Simply gave us his all! No sweat!
@@kevins.butler3402 Cagney wasn't really much of a singer, actually; he "talk-sung" like Rex Harrison, who also wasn't a singer. But Jimmy did have some great hoofing maneuvers in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, FOOTLIGHT PARADE, etc. 😁
No actor keeps me watching and wanting more than the man from the lower east side. Coming out of the same mold ,listening to the same trains on the same tracks makes me proud of my early life. Cagney was THE BEST. Bar none !!!
His performance as Jody Garrett in White Heat, ranks as one the best in American cinema. Superlative, timeless. I never tire of watching him, especially in that one. Also, love The Roaring Twenties. So many fine films. Only one Cagney, that's for sure. Also, nobody ever delivered a better counter right hand, than he did. It's up there with Erroll Flynn's left.
@@mikepatrick5909 Right you are! You'd have thought after all the times I've watched White Heat, that I would've gotten that right. Lol. Steve Cochran and Virginia Mayo were great, too. Cochran was 'Big Ed' and Mayo was 'Verna'. 😆
Cagney could play anything well. He was the best of the best. Every film he was in was better because of his presence. "White Heat" is one of my favorites.
James Cagney the ultimate actors actor, so many memorable scene's, and he made people lives better because we all loved him. I miss my talks with my deceased dad about the classic Black & White films, Cagney was his favorite. Thanks dad for opening the door for me to appreciate these icons, thanks Mr Cagney for being our hero. P.S I love you too Bogey. 👍🏾😀💫✨✨❤️ You're very welcome.
One of the greatest! He could do it all. They used live rounds to shoot at the actors! They had balls back then. White Heat is my favorite Cagney movie and it was the one role he is said to have hated. True legend!
@@alanaronald244 I remember as a kid my dad telling me about Raft's dancing, I could not believe it, that tough guy? and then I saw him in a film, I forget the title and I thought yes dad, your right. That era was something long lost these days.
This put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye, this morning. . I grew up seeing Cagney’s movies on T.V. Not sure why I got emotional; well, first of all, the fact that he’s not with us anymore. And , I guess when you see these types of shows, you’re reminded of all those precious years that have gone by ~ ~. “Each Man Starts With His Very First Breath, to devise shrewd means to outwit death.” ( and women too ). :-)
Since you grew up watching Cagney movies, I have a question for you about a detail in a Cagney film. There's a film that Cagney starred in where (as I recall it) a Japanese man tripped Cagney. After Cagney stumbled, the Japanese man said "surprise". Either then, or sometime afterwards, Cagney came across the same guy, smiled, and then punched him and knocked him down- and then Cagney said "SURPRISE". Would you by chance remember the name of that film? I haven't seen it in decades now and would love to see it. Any information which you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you...
bill keane Who are you talking about? Cagney brother, Bill? He lived in Newport Beach Ca and was a real estate investor for decades, plus a producer in Hollywood.
@@marjoriemargel1567 I think that Cagney had three brothers. Would love to know more about what the other two did with their lives. I remember seeing his attractive sister, Jeanne Cagney, on TV in the '50s. She had a recurring gig as a co-host on a popular game show, I think. Previously, she had acted in bit parts in movies, I think (was in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" for sure).
He could always make me cry. Thats talented And his dancing is like ballet, and so light on his feet ....my favourite ... dancing with Bob Hope on a table, in 'The Seven Little Foys' FANTASTIC
This man was so talented, no one like him during the thirties and forties, he could do anything, comedies, musicals, dramas (including gangster movies), etc. And best of all, he had a great charisma. Even during the fifties (unti 1961), when he was older, he did some great movies
I'm mesmerized watching him dance. So so talented. And he manages to do his German scenes with the same style as those in English. Oftentimes actors speaking a foreign language don't do much acting in the scenes because they're concentrating on saying the words right. Not so Cagney. Amazing talent.
@Skip carlson Yes, there was media reports in 1984 intimating that he was being taking advantage of. Cagney & his wife publicly denied this but it was disturbing to learn of. Similar stories abound that the great Groucho Marx was being miss- treated also. The last thing you would wish for such pre-eminent stars.
I love the fact that the TH-cam uses so many good clips at the right time. Orson Welles called James Cagney “the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera” and “Cagney broke all the rules.” He played at the “top of his bent” every minute.
SO many Utterly Brilliant and Talented 🌟 Starts of Yesteryear and forgotten Nowadays! I grew up watching these in good old Black & White. The so called A Listers of today could learn a thing or two!. If Only I could Go Back In Time!
When you hear the name Cagney you know all of his roles had two things that the audiences would always remember! All SOUl! That’s how I remember my favorite actor!Love this tough guy!
One of my all-time favorites! There's three actors whose movies I want to see all of. He is one of them. The other two, not necessarily in any particular order are John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But then again, I always did enjoy anything with or pertaining to James Cagney.
Actor Malcolm mcDowell would concur with your sentiments John, he once claimed that everything he did was an ode to Jim, whom in his words, was "the greatest screen actor that ever lived, bar none"
I'm studying film and Television at University and I've been studying James Cagney's technique and he'll forever be one of my favourite actors of all time.
This reminded me of the times a TV licence gave you all the classic movies, opera, sport, comedy etc for a yearly minimal sum; we would sit with our parents and watch everything together apart from cartoons. Now people are held to a kings ransom each month by satellite and cable providers. We watched all of Cagney movies and for years later talked about the best scenes, and here we are still talking about this great actor! ...... off to look on YT to look for a few of his movies to watch. Great video, thank you.👍🏻
One of the definitive film actors of all time! 😁 James Cagney never overplayed a performance. He was naturalistic and that served him in good stead. Very private by nature, the actor comes across as polite but also honest.
Fascinating interview, along with movies that have been mentioned who could forget "Footlight Parade" and "Mr Roberts", both movies with brilliant casts. James Cagney performances were always indelible, unforgettable.
as dated as it is, and all the times I've seen it, that scene in angels with dirty faces when he has to be forced into the chair, still gives me chills.
I met James Cagney in 1963 at the Pasadena California train station. I was 10 years old at the time. I got his autograph. My mother noticed him and had me go over to meet him. Stil have it today 2023!
@@michaelgroessl563 Nice
Decades ago, I knew a man who had enormous experience in the entertainment business. Business dealings with a big list of stars. I asked him a question. Who was a great actor? He replied, James Cagney. I asked, why. The answer I received was that Cagney could walk onto a movie set and turn on the magic like no other person ! Looking at this video about the career of James Cagney, you have to agree.....100 per-cent!
@@johnblake3302 I have to agree he was above all of them !
Greatest actor ever could do anything.
You can see why this guy was adored. Pure talent, honesty & integrity.
When I was a little girl my mom would have me watch old movies with her. I fell I love with James Cagney and said when I grew up I wanted to marry him. I still feel the same way as an old lady today. No leading man from that day to this could ever sway my heart!!! What a genuine, lovely, talented amazing man. Wasn’t anything he couldn’t do!!! Love you Jimmy RIP!!
I never get tired of watching Mr Cagney ... what an incredible actor!
He was a humorous Wise Guy, too, great lines he gave & actions!
He dominated every movie he was in. Simply the best.
He was Irish and Norwegian and he spoke Yiddish. What a guy.
Makes dancing look easy what a talent nobody like him ever.
No one ever talks about what a brilliant dancer he was, this man was one of the Greats. They don't make them like this any more. Loved everything he touch.
ASTAIRE WASA FIRST CHOICE TO PLAY COHAN
Cagney's flair for light comedy was wonderful also...
@@jeffshannon6914 Astaire knew Cagney was made to order for the Cohan role though, Jeff...
@@philiphalpenny9761 & most of all ASTAIRE was no great dramatic actor like him ALWAYS WONDERED HOW JIM-(disliked being called JIMMY though) felt when just before he died in 1942 GEORGE M. COHAN is quoted all over as saying SPENCER TRACY YOUR THE BEST DAMN ACTOR I EVER SAW unquote???
@@jeffshannon6914 Cohan was shown the film Yankee Doodle dandy before he died and paid Cagney the wonderful compliment "my god, what an act to follow"...
Best actor of all-time. The dude was extremely talented and charismatic.
When he danced it was like he was floating on air. The best dancer and actor I have ever seen.
Next to Fred Astre !
@@judithscobee8102 it's Fred Astaire: Cagney was 2nd to Fred Astaire who had specialized in dancing, but wasn't a good actor: you shouldn't have missed Fred Astaire dancing anyway.
@@monoecumsemper Fred was the best dancer!
well Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor are definitely greater than Cagney on the dancing, you can't compare them & we've only ever seen one routine in Yankee Doodle Dandy.
@@monoecumsemper you forgot Donald O'Connor who didn't get the recognition he deserved as he was always the second string Stars. Cagney on film only had this dancing part in what was a tribute to the soldiers fighting.
He was an incredible dancer! I've watched Yankee Doodle Dandy at least 500 times. In my recital at my dance studio, I recreated the entire Grand Old Flag number. He wasn't just a tap dancer but also executed ballet moves in his dancing extremely well (dancing down the White House stairs were actually jetes. At his funeral, Baryshnikov was one of his pall bearers.
For me, he’s simply perfection!!
That's the GREATEST ! YAY for you all, Donna ! Where is your styudio? Just broke my dang R elbow in tap class last Nov. - sheesh - but anyway --- Yes - 500 times?! Good on ya -- lol - You've got a FEW more on me, but not many. JAMES CAGNEY FOREVER! 😍
Cagney, Bogart, Cary Grant, James Stewart. Watching their work you realise These guys were GIANTS. Wasn't just performances, these personalities are joys to behold.
Richard widmark was a truly phenomenal actor as well.
You forgot the Great Edward g Robinson people mostly think of him as a gangster just as they did Cagney but when you think of him in his film noir like a red house or where he was the fisherman in I believe 37 you begin to realize how special this man that it was do not count him out
@@johnathaneve1097 oh yh he was awesome for sure
@@johnathaneve1097 I love Edward G Robinson in Double Indemnity -
To ALL you young actors out there, LISTEN to this LEGEND! You are getting treasured lessons in acting , from one of the Greatest actors of ALL time!
One of the greatest!
This is priceless for us Cagney fans. I wrote to him when I was an 19-year old Brummie A-level student and he sent back an autograph on a postcard of one of his paintings - this was 1981. What a lovely, decent and wise man he was - and an unforgettable natural actor. Thanks for posting this.
Lucky you, David. I genuinely think that, peerless as a performer as he was, he would have traded it all to paint full-time. "far away fellow"...
i want to write to the stars i don't think they would answer.
@@SensiblyTina what secret? Pardon my ignorance
@@SensiblyTina sorry still don't know what you're on about. Can you supply some information about this matter?
That Will Be David, Something You May Never Forget. James Cagney was Such An Excellent In His Time Actor And Performer.
James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Edward G. Robinson all had something that nobody in Hollywood has today, and that's Talent and Class.
Anthony Hopkins and Leonardo DiCaprio come to mind.
That's a bit of a blanket statement, wouldn't you agree?
Yeah but only Cagney could sing and dance, which he did in many of his movies.
Absolutely! On point!
What class James Gagney had...We New Yorkers understand...You dirty rat!.. I was raised in Connecticut.
I've loved him ever since I was a little kid (I'm a senior citizen now). My mother was a lifelong showbiz buff and when an old movie with one of her favorite stars from the 30's came on TV, she would tell me all about the performers in it. Cagney was my favorite from the get-go. You look at what this man could do, and it's just mind-boggling. To be able to act so compellingly from sheer bone-deep instinct -- and to draw the eye irresistibly to himself in any scene even without speaking! -- that is a rare enough thing. But then you see him dance, and your jaw just drops. He moved so gracefully, buoyantly and with breathtaking -- and seemingly effortless -- precision. And you can see that he loved it, which makes it even more of a joy to behold. I will never stop marveling at the enormity of this man's talent. God rest his soul.
Never better expressed!
Hello Christine, I’m with you ! Cagney was amazing and ( very important): not a racist bone in his body. That’s another reason I wish he was here with us today …
Classic actor, phenomenal dancer, great entertainer. I never saw a "bad" Cagney movie, he gave it all in everything he did.
Run For Cover? Phew! But a lot of good ones, too.
He wanted to be known and remembered as a “hoofer”
@@schaffermatt Run For Cover was fine but What Price Glory( 1952) was misguided by John Ford & Cagney!
This extraordinary man...mimic, athlete, superb dancer. Every movement had grace, still evident in this interview.
A brief interview from 1980 with Tom Snyder at Cagney's home has recently been posted on TH-cam, Stephanie...
Scorsese said about Cagney in Public Enemy that he was the “first modern actor.” He was and still is THE all-round best. No stress, no strain.
Pacino in Scarface & Pesci in Scorsese's Goodfellas were clearly taking notes of Cagney's unhinged performance in White Heat. Jack Nicholson displays the same manic glee in the infamous " heeeer'es Johnnnyy" scene that Jim uses in the equally infamous grapefruit scene in Public Enemy. arched eyebrows...teeth baring..." i wish you was a wishing well..."
James Cagney!! Just Brilliant.. The Very Best!!!
How I love this man, James Cagney! I think he was the finest of Hollywood actors. He was real and had depth with empathy, compassion, drama and comedy. Fantastic human being!!!
The OG triple threat, the finest natural actor for all time, Mr. James Francis Cagney. No method, no pretense, just, and I quote, "just walk in, plant your feet, and say what you have to say. " We don't have anyone these days to compare. I try to think of actors and actresses today who could come close, and there's a few, but I've never seen anyone who could play good guy, bad guy, antihero, sing, dance, act like it's just as easy as breathing like Cagney could. My favorite actor since I was 12, and I guess he will always be my favorite actor.
Thankful for this and ANY good interview with James Cagney~! A privilege! One of the TRUE greats!
Cagney's 1980 interview with Tom Snyder has been uploaded to TH-cam in recent months, Cheryl...as has his Kennedy Center Honour from the same year...
His dance moves were stunning. What footwork. His whole body, his whole being exploding forward like a rocket. Perfectly orchestrated. A true professional at top form. I doubt anyone ever will match his persona! You can only stare in wonder!
Such a wise man! Such a talented man. Such a character! He was made for the industry! Tough as nails and as sweet as honey! I could hear his stories for days! This was very enjoyable to watch!
Hector Alers . . Lovely and accurate description. . 🇬🇧
There was only one Jimmy Cagney. I loved him. Still do.
Audey Murphy was working in the gym cleaning up the gym and Cagney found out he was a decorated war hero and took Audey to Hollywood to make him an actor . It changed Murphy's life and he became a star!
@@belingonza318 That is correct !
I've always loved him, when I was a kid I tried to dance like him. Now that I'm grown up I love him even more. When I learned that he was a artist I felt a special connection because I too love to draw and paint. His and my parents generation are the work horses and pavers, with faith in Our Lord Jesus and hard work you can do anything. In my heart he will never be forgotten.
Orson Wells favourite actor, as he said, Cagney just broke all the rules of acting, never hammed a scene in his life, always gave it everything. RIP.
Great tribute from an another great actor!
Cagney was a favorite of Kubrick, as well.
@@TheRealValus Alex in a Clockwork Orange IS Cagney..
@@mikepatrick5909 McDowell once said..." everything i do is an ode to Cagney...the greatest screen actor...bar none!". First scene in A Clockwork Orange has Alex staring at us that baleful, murderous glare is spookily reminiscent of JC...
@@mikepatrick5909 Same goes for Heath Ledger's Joker. Huge influence from Cagney.
SIMPLY THE BEST! GREAT ACTING WITH NO FOUL LANGUAGE. I'D RATHER WATCH A CAGNEY OR BOGART MOVIE THAN ANY OF TODAY'S MOVIES! JAMES WANTED TO BE KNOWN AS "THE SONG AND DANCE MAN". HE IS MISSED. A BIG THANK YOU TO TH-cam.
It really is a pleasure to watch a movie with no nudity, fowl language just a good story. It doesn't matter what the year people will always enjoy a good story, directed well with great artists portraying the characters. We have good actors today, we just need the writing to be better. I don't feel that the actors were better then, they had better material
Yes a quality film does not need foul language, it speaks for itself. Have seen so many "decent" films that could have been "great" but for the language. That also goes for TV and stage these days, the mark of a true professional does not need that. It was never about being prudish it was pure professionalism and entertainment at it's best.
@@joziahbrock8878 Is this relevant to James Cagney?
He will allways be a song and dance man to me,
Bob hope will tell you that...
Truly one of the greatest actors of all time.. As a young child in the 60's I watched every movie he ever made and of course all the oldie and goodies Angels with dirty faces and Yankee doodle dandy. Truly my childhood idol.. They don't make em like him anymore.. Hollyweird has gone way down hill.. Thanks Jimmy
What a modest and sincere man--he was a mega talent.
During this interview?
Always loved him so much
People of that generation tended to be more modest even if they were high achievers. They knew their roots and they knew they depended on the continuing good will of their fans to stay in their position.
NEED TO MAKE A MUVIE LIKE THIS NO DAYS, SO MUCH MISERY ABOUT.
I love to watch him dance. He had a unique style, like a true athlete💕
He was so down to earth..Guest that's why I always felt safe and loved in all his movies.
One of the reasons the GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD was (and still is ) so memorable He lit up the screen whether as tough guy "gangstering", dancing, roughnecking with his leading ladies-just like a force of nature...
BACK THEN WHEN THEY MADE A LOUSY PICTURE THEY ARE STILL ENTERTAINING i.e. PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE & OTHERS I SOUND LIKE AN OLD MAN, BUT AM JUST 56 NOW-(fell in love withTHE MOVIES at age 15) NOW, AN AWFUL RELEASE IS USUALLY DISGUSTINGLY BAD INSTEAD
thats what tv movies are.
Jimmy Cagney was among the remarkable few who possessed an innate brilliance.
I used to watch his films with my dad Cagney was and still is a legend
James Cagney was a very phenomenal actor.
And I Agree 100%
Amen to that Tim
What a great actor! One of my all time favorites. Yankee Doodle Dandy I’ve seen a hundred times!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
An actor who knows who he is even when he isn’t acting, and does not allow others to do his thinking for him. Can you find that today? Not even a little. Even at this age, he was so cute! I always loved you, James Cagney and I still do. Even as an 80 year old man, you were thrilling. I miss you, James.
Richard Schickel who is interviewing him has a lot of passion for movies and comes across as stuck up and doesn't have the personality for the camera like Leonard Maltin does.
No you cant find it today its definitely a narrowgate.
That scene where he goes off after finding out his mother is dead makes me cry. He is so devastated.
White Heat.
So many old movies and actors seem dated and overacted when you watch them today. Not James Cagney. Always on point with his roles. So natural and they def still hold up!
I saw Ragtime when it was first released. When Cagney hit the screen it was electrifying. It was the first time he'd been on the big screen in my lifetime.
I loved Cagney the 1st time I saw on film and even though he was way before my time, there still isn't anyone today that could even come close to him...what I would do to go back in time and meet him in the 30's.
Yes, the truly great stars have that magical chemistry. I saw White Heat & a wicked depression-era comedy, Hard To Handle, in the same week and i was hooked. Matchless dynamism!
I thoroughly enjoy this human being. A superstar is an understatement!
Some men should be able to live forever !!!!!!
@@charlesdeangelo9927 He still does!
The angels with dirty faces scene IMO is one of the most powerful scenes ever filmed, acting does not get better than that.
Had to have been the most talented person of the last 100 years...he could do anything...top o' the world Ma!
You cant fake/act toughness like that either!!
@@robstack3712 Cagney had never been a street thug in real life, but he did grow up on the mean streets of New York and he wasn't a pushover, either, from what I remember reading about his youth and young manhood.
@Dave State-61
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The Late & Great
JAMES CAGNEY
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
City of conquest great film J g he conquered Hollywood
Feb, 4, 2019 ~ I grew up in the 50s My folks had a 10" TV with an Antenna on the roof. Back then they played all the old 30s and 40s movies on TV. I grew up with Pat O-Brian, Cagney and Boggie. Oh Sure Gene Audrey, Hop Along Casity and Roy & Dale were on TV to. This brings back so many great memories of my family all gathered in the living room watching the old movies then. Now they're over 80 yrs old! Thanks:
Mr. Cagney as Mr. Wells said in an interview was the greatest actor ever. Mr Wells being a genius and director of the greatest movie of all time would know.
Got that right! *Welles, btw. Orson Welles.
Loved Cagney when I was growing up. My favorite movie of his was Yankee Doodle Dandy! I watched it on tv when they had million dollar movie on every nite!
"If you listen to all the clowns around, you're just dead." Love it. Dead-on, Jimmy.
Orson Welles said :He broke every rule of acting but never hammed it up.That's why he's the best actor ever.I was a fan long before i knew what Welles said about Cagney.
Best tough guy ever. Most talented, diverse and multi faceted film star Hollywood ever produced. He was great at it because he simply gave us himself! Simply gave us his all! No sweat!
Great essay. Made me realize how mesmerizing Cagney was, every moment on screen.
This small guy was a giant of the movies,a truly great guy my dad and his brothers idolised him,me too.
Just a terrific actor. I never get tired of watching his films.
Priceless actor and human being. They surely don't make them like that anymore
He was an equally talented song and dance man.
@@kevins.butler3402 The dance routine at the top certainly illustrates your point.
@@kevins.butler3402 Cagney wasn't really much of a singer, actually; he "talk-sung" like Rex Harrison, who also wasn't a singer. But Jimmy did have some great hoofing maneuvers in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, FOOTLIGHT PARADE, etc. 😁
Yes they do make them. #Blind
By all means give me some names of actors on his level ?
Loved him ! All of his movies. Wonderful talented man
His marvelous choreography was always infectious. The term "generousity of spirit" could have come about, in reference to this mecurial little dynamo!
No actor keeps me watching and wanting more than the man from the lower east side. Coming out of the same mold ,listening to the same trains on the same tracks makes me proud of my early life.
Cagney was THE BEST. Bar none !!!
Top of the world, ma! One of the best actors ever!
The best
His performance as Jody Garrett in White Heat, ranks as one the best in American cinema. Superlative, timeless. I never tire of watching him, especially in that one. Also, love The Roaring Twenties. So many fine films. Only one Cagney, that's for sure.
Also, nobody ever delivered a better counter right hand, than he did. It's up there with Erroll Flynn's left.
@@waynej2608 lol Cody not Jody....
@@mikepatrick5909 Right you are! You'd have thought after all the times I've watched White Heat, that I would've gotten that right. Lol. Steve Cochran and Virginia Mayo were great, too. Cochran was 'Big Ed' and Mayo was 'Verna'. 😆
@@waynej2608 White Heat was one of my dad's favorite movies.
He has always been one of my favorite actors and people. Just something about him!
Cagney could play anything well. He was the best of the best. Every film he was in was better because of his presence. "White Heat" is one of my favorites.
he was much better in The Roaring Twenties...
James Cagney the ultimate actors actor, so many memorable scene's, and he made people lives better because we all loved him.
I miss my talks with my deceased dad about the classic Black & White films, Cagney was his favorite. Thanks dad for opening the door for me to appreciate these icons, thanks Mr Cagney for being our hero. P.S I love you too Bogey.
👍🏾😀💫✨✨❤️
You're very welcome.
GREATEST ACTOR......DANCER.......HUMAN BEING OF ALL TIME !!! RiP Jimmy. Love you.
Always loved his flair for light comedy also, Joe...
IrIronically his first stage role was in DRAG!
CAGNEY donated lots & lots of his $diough$ and anonymously to causes
He was the real Yankie Doodle Dandy
@@jeffshannon6914 Hi Jeff when was this ? I'm a Cagney fan forever
I love the way he drops his shoulders...bends at the waist and goes into his dance routine like he is made of rubber. Fantastic.
One of the greatest! He could do it all. They used live rounds to shoot at the actors! They had balls back then. White Heat is my favorite Cagney movie and it was the one role he is said to have hated. True legend!
my favorite actor, hands down...an incredible talent...
So many wonderful performances over the years by James Cagney one of the best👌
How he carried us for decades, this world will miss him and all he was.
Cagney was one in a million - the epitome of a tough-guy - but his real love was being a dancer and man, was he great at both.👏👏
"Not tough, just mercenary."
"If you wanted to survive, you had to learn how to use your fists... and we did."
Look at what we have now
YOU NAILED IT!!! In many interviews 7 his autobiography, he said there was truly only one other tough guy it was GEORGE RAFT
And Raft was a beautiful dancer, as well. Totally different style: liquid, sensuous, graceful & sincere.
@@alanaronald244 I remember as a kid my dad telling me about Raft's dancing, I could not believe it, that tough guy? and then I saw him in a film, I forget the title and I thought yes dad, your right. That era was something long lost these days.
Thumbs down are OBTUSE! Greatest Actor! Thanks ✌️
This put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye, this morning. . I grew up seeing Cagney’s movies on T.V. Not sure why I got emotional; well, first of all, the fact that he’s not with us anymore. And , I guess when you see these types of shows, you’re reminded of all those precious years that have gone by ~ ~. “Each Man Starts With His Very First Breath, to devise shrewd means to outwit death.” ( and women too ). :-)
Since you grew up watching Cagney movies, I have a question for you about a detail in a Cagney film.
There's a film that Cagney starred in where (as I recall it) a Japanese man tripped Cagney. After Cagney stumbled, the Japanese man said "surprise". Either then, or sometime afterwards, Cagney came across the same guy, smiled, and then punched him and knocked him down- and then Cagney said "SURPRISE". Would you by chance remember the name of that film? I haven't seen it in decades now and would love to see it. Any information which you can provide would be appreciated.
Thank you...
@@manilajohn0182 Blood On The Sun, 1945...
@@philiphalpenny3783 Many thanks for your reply. I'll check that out...
By far my favorite actor. We share love of country living. I visited cagney's gravesite in valhalla ny.
his brother lived 5 minutes from me in cork ireland he had antique shop all his family had cork roots his sister too if memory serves me right
You are living in the right place. Cork is my bug out location when the end is near. It's magical.
bill keane Who are you talking about? Cagney brother, Bill? He lived in Newport Beach Ca and was a real estate investor for decades, plus a producer in Hollywood.
I lived 5 minutes away from him in upstate NY.I was just a boy.
@@marjoriemargel1567 I think that Cagney had three brothers. Would love to know more about what the other two did with their lives. I remember seeing his attractive sister, Jeanne Cagney, on TV in the '50s. She had a recurring gig as a co-host on a popular game show, I think. Previously, she had acted in bit parts in movies, I think (was in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" for sure).
Peerless. There will never be another performer like him.
Monica, I agree with you 100%.
Peerless, by all means...
Angels with Dirty Faces. Legend. Cagney.
He could always make me cry. Thats talented
And his dancing is like ballet, and so light on his feet ....my favourite ... dancing with Bob Hope on a table, in 'The Seven Little Foys' FANTASTIC
he graduated from the oldest grade school in manhattan P.S158 1906..i did as well 70 yrs later
He was brilliant. The best of the best.
This man was so talented, no one like him during the thirties and forties, he could do anything, comedies, musicals, dramas (including gangster movies), etc. And best of all, he had a great charisma. Even during the fifties (unti 1961), when he was older, he did some great movies
True legend! Thank you for posting this.
I'm mesmerized watching him dance. So so talented. And he manages to do his German scenes with the same style as those in English. Oftentimes actors speaking a foreign language don't do much acting in the scenes because they're concentrating on saying the words right. Not so Cagney. Amazing talent.
Cagney infects with his dynamic ebullience...
his wife was named billie.
@Skip carlson Yes, there was media reports in 1984 intimating that he was being taking advantage of. Cagney & his wife publicly denied this but it was disturbing to learn of. Similar stories abound that the great Groucho Marx was being miss- treated also. The last thing you would wish for such pre-eminent stars.
was marge zimmerman who toke care of him a nice person?
I love the fact that the TH-cam uses so many good clips at the right time. Orson Welles called James Cagney “the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera” and “Cagney broke all the rules.” He played at the “top of his bent” every minute.
SO many Utterly Brilliant and Talented 🌟 Starts of Yesteryear and forgotten Nowadays! I grew up watching these in good old Black & White. The so called A Listers of today could learn a thing or two!. If Only I could Go Back In Time!
When you hear the name Cagney you know all of his roles had two things that the audiences would always remember! All SOUl! That’s how I remember my favorite actor!Love this tough guy!
One of my all-time favorites! There's three actors whose movies I want to see all of. He is one of them. The other two, not necessarily in any particular order are John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But then again, I always did enjoy anything with or pertaining to James Cagney.
Actor Malcolm mcDowell would concur with your sentiments John, he once claimed that everything he did was an ode to Jim, whom in his words, was "the greatest screen actor that ever lived, bar none"
@@philiphalpenny9761 edrtytdssssd
I'm studying film and Television at University and I've been studying James Cagney's technique and he'll forever be one of my favourite actors of all time.
Need to show more of these pure gold' Golden Oldies back in hd and 4k, big love.
James Cagney one of the greatest actors of all time and a great human being as well. Truly one of a kind!
Glad to see that someone else is enjoying this video in 9/21 🤣
@@bridgettscott4203 That's me lmao.
@@bridgettscott4203 We're not the only ones.
I cried watching Angels with Dirty Faces.
Leiter TV Me too.
Was that the one, where Rocky "died yellow"?
I could just hug him and say Thanks Jimmy
This was a great post.. really enjoyed this. Thank you Mr. Perkins!
A true actor! One of the very best.
This reminded me of the times a TV licence gave you all the classic movies, opera, sport, comedy etc for a yearly minimal sum; we would sit with our parents and watch everything together apart from cartoons. Now people are held to a kings ransom each month by satellite and cable providers. We watched all of Cagney movies and for years later talked about the best scenes, and here we are still talking about this great actor! ...... off to look on YT to look for a few of his movies to watch. Great video, thank you.👍🏻
One of the definitive film actors of all time! 😁
James Cagney never overplayed a performance. He was naturalistic and that served him in good stead. Very private by nature, the actor comes across as polite but also honest.
Fascinating interview, along with movies that have been mentioned who could forget "Footlight Parade" and "Mr Roberts", both movies with brilliant casts. James Cagney performances were always indelible, unforgettable.
Top of the line Cagney was phenomenal! No one can compare!
The best, simply the best. There will never be another Cagney.
as dated as it is, and all the times I've seen it, that scene in angels with dirty faces when he has to be forced into the chair, still gives me chills.
What’s dated about it. It’s a perennial message.