George M. Cohan was probably the greatest single figure the American theater world has ever produced. During a long, distinguished career he was active as a player, playwright, actor, composer and producer. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt summoned Cohen to the White House to present him with the Congressional Gold Medal. The honor is usually reserved for scientists or military and political leaders. George M. Cohen became the first artist to receive the award.
But tragedy struck. The following year Cohen contracted cancer. Before he passed away, however, he wanted Hollywood to tell his story. Cohen therefore suggested that Warner Brothers make a biopic about him. And studio head Jack Warner loved the idea. What's more, he had a suitable actor for the lead. James Cagney was at that time unhappy with his one-dimensional image as a gangster and bad gay. He would love to play the great song-and-dance man. And, as Cagney had shown in "Footlight Parade" some years earlier - he could do both.
Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that James Cagney was unhappy with the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" screenplay. Among other things he thought the piece lacked humor. So, he wanted to hire a professional "script doctor" to work on it, but Warners firmly said no. The quarrel went so far that the star threatened to drop out of the entire project. Faced with that prospect, the studio backed off completely and instead let Cagney make the film the way he wanted.
The movie premiered in May 1942, but by then George M. Cohan was too sick to attend. Instead, the studio arranged a private screening at his home in New York. And Cohan was, to say the least, impressed by James Cagney's performance. "My God, what an act to follow," he said. Fortunately, the Academy shared the great showman's enthusiasm. That year, Cagney was awarded an Oscar for his performance in "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Cohen himself died a few months later.
But tragedy struck. The following year Cohen contracted cancer. Before he passed away, however, he wanted Hollywood to tell his story. Cohen therefore suggested that Warner Brothers make a biopic about him. And studio head Jack Warner loved the idea. What's more, he had a suitable actor for the lead. James Cagney was at that time unhappy with his one-dimensional image as a gangster and bad gay. He would love to play the great song-and-dance man. And, as Cagney had shown in "Footlight Parade" some years earlier - he could do both.
Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that James Cagney was unhappy with the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" screenplay. Among other things he thought the piece lacked humor. So, he wanted to hire a professional "script doctor" to work on it, but Warners firmly said no. The quarrel went so far that the star threatened to drop out of the entire project. Faced with that prospect, the studio backed off completely and instead let Cagney make the film the way he wanted.
The movie premiered in May 1942, but by then George M. Cohan was too sick to attend. Instead, the studio arranged a private screening at his home in New York. And Cohan was, to say the least, impressed by James Cagney's performance. "My God, what an act to follow," he said. Fortunately, the Academy shared the great showman's enthusiasm. That year, Cagney was awarded an Oscar for his performance in "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Cohen himself died a few months later.