Yankee Doodle Dandy (Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
| Director: Michael Curtiz
Actors: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf, Irene Manning
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $26.98
Buy New: $10.99
You Save: $15.99 (59%)
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Rating:  104 reviews
Sales Rank: 48
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Special Edition, Subtitled
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.7 x 0.7
MPN: 012569504127
ISBN: 0790765209
UPC: 012569504127
EAN: 9780790765204
ASIN: B00005JKS8
Theatrical Release Date: June 6, 1942
Release Date: September 30, 2003
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Movie DVD
Amazon.com essential video
James Cagney thrills in a rare (and limber) song-and-dance performance as composer-entertainer George M. Cohan. This nostalgic biography is told in flashbacks, covering Cohan's formative years becoming Broadway's brightest star and touching upon his loves, musicals, and artistic triumphs. Director Michael Curtiz (The Adventures of Robin Hood) offers Cagney ample opportunities to invent an utterly charming performance in what is practically a one-man show. If you've never seen Cagney as a hoofer, you're in for a treat: his dancing is as dynamic as anything else he's ever done on screen. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 99 more reviews...
 The American Dream; or - Too Much of a Good Thing June 26, 2009
A. Gyurisin (Wet, Wild, Wonderful Virginia)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is one problem with watching "Yankee Doodle Dandy" despite the fact that James Cagney is superb in his underdog sort of role, the title songs and subsequent Americana ditties are toe-tapping from the start, as well as the cinematography and set design are Oscar-worthy - "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is just too long. Being a newbie to both the world of Cagney as well as American propaganda, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" seemed the best place to start, and from the opening scene of the birth of George M. Cohan (felt like Fincher borrowed this scene for his "Benjamin Button" film) on the 4th of July, there was this immediate attachment. This film was loud, flashy, and when Cohan began telling his life story to the President of the United States, I eagerly anticipated the results. Then, we leisurely waked through his life. When using the word "leisurely", it is straightforwardly inescapable. Be prepared for everything from his family's rise and fall to the eventual birth of every song, no stone is left unturned, and while that can be entertaining - it can also dwindle a great movie into mediocrity. That is what happened to "Yankee Doodle Dandy", this viewer went from singing the songs during the day to broodingly waiting for it to finally end. It was like a rollercoaster, it was at the utmost high, but then went shooting straight down once it was unable to find its ending.
"Yankee Doodle Dandy" is not just this never ending story that repetitively builds too much. It boasts an Oscar-winning performance for Cagney (who later gets type-cast as this "Public Enemy"), and it delivers. It boasts these huge, glorious musical numbers, and it arrives with bells on. It boasts pure, uncut, raw Americana and it nearly makes you want to stand up and sing. Thus, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" delivers exactly what one may want from a film like this. There should be no complains, right? Again, the length of this film began, as the third act blended into the fourth and so on, felt tedious, boring, melodramatic, and lacking focus. When Cohan finishes his speech with the President, the ending should have been in plain view. The long walk down the flight of iconic Presidents, it felt winded. The final shots were just focus-less. There should have been a fade to black long before that. On another note, from the beginning, I knew that Cohan was pure America, it was necessary to consistently repeat that idea. For example, the scene in which he attempts to join the army was ridiculous. The merit was there, but the essence of the scene was missing. Sure, Cohan can tap, but does that mean he should brandish a gun? Another great example of why "Yankee Doodle Dandy" began so well, but then felt as if we were stuffing the turkey too full - it was beginning to feel ... dare I say, more American...
To complete this discussion, I would like to reiterate again that "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (for the most part) had me tapping my toes and singing right along with the now infamous George M. Cohan. James Cagney was superb. His blend of humor, great dance, and exciting dialogue proved that he was more than just his later films. While this was a semi-ensemble film, each scene that Cagney was in (which was nearly all of them) he stole the scene. As audience, our eyes were fixated on what this "average joe" looking man was about to do next. Even his dancing seemed original. Yet, I regretfully admit it was just too long. The final act just felt flat, and when his conversation with the President ended, it should have faded then - instead the rest of the "filler" just felt stale. I loved this movie, I can suggest it to friends and family, but alas, be prepared for that final moment. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" felt like riding a roller coaster too many times, by the end, you just want to get off and savor the fun parts. By extending it too long, the sloppy ending ruined my savor for this film. Loved it. Liked it. Don't need to watch it again.
Grade: *** out of *****
Dandy April 12, 2009
David Baldwin (Philadelphia,PA USA)
The stars must have been alligned for "Yankee Doodle Dandy". Neither star James Cagney or director Michael Curtiz were known for musical endeavors. This film has no right to work but darned if it doesn't. It could have been a time capsule curio made to boost morale of the wartime audience. But it's unapologetic sunniness and patriotism is timeless and in these troubled times we could sure use more of it. I'm sure some facts of George M.Cohan's life have been embellished but I don't care. I won't even dare seek out the "truth". The songs reverberate in your head and will stand the test of time. Arguably Cagney's best role he projects optimism through sheer willpower. Cagney's a surprisingly nimble hoofer though I found his vocals lacking, kind of a talking delivery instead of actual singing though Cagney makes you forget this deficiency. Also good is Walter Huston who plays Cohan's father, Gerry, and he surprises with his song and dance technique. An unabashed classic.
required watching March 18, 2009
A.Flowers (Louisiana)
I loved this movie when it first came out. If you like Berlin you'll love George M Cohan. 'Should be shown on TV every 4th of July. Want to wave the flag.
james cagney at his best February 23, 2009
Maureen Murphy (ireland)
james cagney doing a musical, absolutly brilliant. he realy was one of the greatest actors ever to grace our screens. i think he could turn his hand to anything from gangsters to cops to musicals in this he plays george m cohan a singer/songwriter this was a film he really wanted to do and he does it so well its one of my favorite films amoung the songs is the title of the film and a song called 'over there' a rallying cry for the yanks. if you have not seen this film you dont know what your missing. go out and buy it. it is only availible as a region 1 dvd, i sent for mine from america as i badly wanted this film.
Fantastic movie begs for color February 18, 2009
Jean (Prescott, AZ USA)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Years ago I recorded this movie when it was shown on TCM and was colorized. It is a movie I have always loved to watch and in color is so much better and enjoyable. I know very few movies were being made in color when this movie was made but it really should have been used for this one. The dance numbes are magnificent. Warner Bros. should really consider releasing the colorized version as has been done with some other movies. I would buy it in a heart beat.
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