A sure bet for a Hollywood star to win an Oscar is to have a strong star image then play against that image. James Cagney, famous for a decade of ruthless gangster roles, did just that in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (Michal Curtiz, 1942) and won the Oscar for Best Actor (his only Oscar) Ironically, he was nominated only once for his star-making gangster roles (ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, 1938). Late in his career he received another Oscar nod for LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME (1955).
Besides the acting here, showcasing Cagney's remarkable hoofing (dancing) talents, note the almost flawless use of camera angles and shot scale (distance) for each shot. The dance is filmed in long takes, insuring viewer belief in the dance (compared to editing in short shot sequences). Minor cuts are made to change the scale of the shot at moments when a closer look at the footwork is desirable. There's also a wonderful pan shot across a long line of spectators at the race near the end of the clip.
Showing posts with label James Cagney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Cagney. Show all posts
Saturday, March 22, 2008
JAMES CAGNEY IMITATES HIS STAR IMAGE
An impressionist is a comic who masters the vocal mannerisms and gestures of a famous person and imitates him. Impressionists are popular in the US where they "do" famous people on television or live comedy shows. Hollywood stars and politicians are obvious subjects for impressionists. But some Hollywood stars are easier to do than others. James Cagney has always been a favorite among impressionists because he's so easy to "do." As has been said, almost anyone can do a good impression of Cagney by simply speaking "You dirty rat!" rapidly in a high nasal voice preceded by a throaty grunt with hand gestures hitching up the pants. In this clip Cagney turns the tables on impressionist Frank Gorshin by doing Gorshin's impression of him, then switching to Gorshin's impression of another Hollywood film legend, Cary Grant, whom impressionists usually did speaking "Judy, Judy, Judy" in a Cockney accent (Grant was a native Brit).
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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