Saturday, March 22, 2008

James Cagney's Star Image

Cagney's Star Image

AS WE study James Cagney's star image, here are two brief videos of an elderly Cagney, in retirement, making fun of his star image. Click here and here.
    The reference to "Frank" is to the impressionist, Frank Gorshin, who frequently did Cagney imitations on television, using the phrase, "Hmm . . . you dirty rat!"
    Cagney comically says he never said that in a movie, but instead, "Judy! Judy! Judy!" (a Gorshin impression of another star, Cary Grant).
    See also the famous grapefruit scene from The Public Enemy, which you will see next Friday.

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