I first seen James Cagney in White Heat. I had the chance to see Mission Impossible with my friends at their house, or watch this old VHS tape my grandfather told me about. i went with my gut and watched White Heat. My friends wouldn't even give it a chance cause it was black & white and I simply fell in love with the movie. It didn't matter if it was in color or not, James Cagney turned that movie into thriller, cause he played such a damn good monster! That's what real movies are about!
@LivinWorstNightmare Orson Welles called James Cagney the greatest film actor whoever lived.
The person who interviewed him seemed astonished, because that compliment is usually reserved for the great method actors, but Welles stuck to his guns and told the initerviewer he should spend a day watching Cagney movies and you will not find one untrue moment in a Cagney performance.
Incidentally "Angels With Dirty Faces" is my favorite and if you haven't see it, GET IT and SEE IT - ASAP
@LivinWorstNightmare BTW Angels With Dirty Faces was made before Bogart became a leading man, so he co-starred in that film with Cagney and they were great together, great chemistry working off one another.
Another gangster film they made together that was GREAT and is kind of a sleeper, in fact Empire magazine ranked it the #1 underappreciated or sleeper gangster film of all-time, is "the roaring twenties"
If you have the time you should get both and make it a Cagney/Bogart double feature
@tht707 TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is a TV station for those classic movies like the ones Cagney played in and so on. They do little tributes in the breaks between movies to the actors/actresses that really left a mark in film history.
Cagney has got to be my all-time favorite actor. The first movie of his I saw was actually Yankee Doodle Dandy, but I had already known his reputation for playing tough guys so it made me grin to see him sing and dance. He is truly one of a kind, and I would love to have met him. Never had a snowball's chance, though, because he died before I was born.
Cagney was an outstanding performer who acted in musicals, dramas, comedy, etc. When he was in a scene your eyes stayed on him. He had a quick, curious, contemplative, and intelligent mind. He was a generous, loyal, sensitive, and caring man. He was a credit to society and the world as a whole. He was unique and is sorely missed.
Without some of the political restraints of today, I could just imagine this guy as a detention officer coming up against these sorry smart ass punks in Prison;Shaddup!. He'd tear 'em up, and have them crying Mommy.
Why is everyone comparing Cagney to other actors? Why is everything a pissing contest? Cagney, Eastwood, Brando... they were and are all great performers each with their own style and contribution to film. I like them all for different aspects they brought or are bringing to the screen.
he made it first as a singer and a dancer, so what does THAT do for society? plus he gave to charity more money than you will ever learn in your life time (as denominated in 1933 dollars) asshat
It's so true that nobody could hate Cagney. Even when he played the repugnant, sadistic lowlife "Gimp" in "Love me or Leave Me', you still felt for him.
I can see where you would say they aren't in the same league. Cagney was brilliant no doubt about it. He's at the top.
But Clint had lots more than one look. He's shown great range, from the steely eyed stare you talk about, in his seminal spaghetti westerns & Josey Wales, to humor of the Every Which Way films, to a combat fatigued veteran of Firefox - those eyes are 'scared' - to the John Wayne channeling cop in City Heat, to maudlin crap he made with streep.
early brando is special. but, later, for example his performance in the Godfather resorts to external mechanics. the cotton wool cheeks, orange peel in the mouth, hoarse affected voice. these tricks call attention to themselves.
moneymoreman - I loved Cagney, too, but do you really think that Marlon Brando was phony? He is widely known as the "most truthful" actor of his generation.
Scott was a powerhouse.his sincere appraisal of the irraplaceable Cagney echoes what Welles, Tynan, Eastwood, Hackman- hech- even Churchill felt. Brando was more often indulgent than inspired,but Cagney and Mitchum were never phoney.
Getting to hear one acting giant extol the virtues of an even greater acting giant is a treat for the movie-geek...
...such as myself.
Not surprisingly, in this New Media Age, my two favorite channels of any kind are Turner Classic Movies and...
...YouTube.
tuxguys 7 months ago
I first seen James Cagney in White Heat. I had the chance to see Mission Impossible with my friends at their house, or watch this old VHS tape my grandfather told me about. i went with my gut and watched White Heat. My friends wouldn't even give it a chance cause it was black & white and I simply fell in love with the movie. It didn't matter if it was in color or not, James Cagney turned that movie into thriller, cause he played such a damn good monster! That's what real movies are about!
LivinWorstNightmare 7 months ago
@LivinWorstNightmare Orson Welles called James Cagney the greatest film actor whoever lived.
The person who interviewed him seemed astonished, because that compliment is usually reserved for the great method actors, but Welles stuck to his guns and told the initerviewer he should spend a day watching Cagney movies and you will not find one untrue moment in a Cagney performance.
Incidentally "Angels With Dirty Faces" is my favorite and if you haven't see it, GET IT and SEE IT - ASAP
Dobermite 6 months ago
@LivinWorstNightmare BTW Angels With Dirty Faces was made before Bogart became a leading man, so he co-starred in that film with Cagney and they were great together, great chemistry working off one another.
Another gangster film they made together that was GREAT and is kind of a sleeper, in fact Empire magazine ranked it the #1 underappreciated or sleeper gangster film of all-time, is "the roaring twenties"
If you have the time you should get both and make it a Cagney/Bogart double feature
Dobermite 6 months ago
@Dobermite
Oh I totally agree, both those movies are so over looked and wonderful. Roaring Twenties had one of the best ending lines ever.
LivinWorstNightmare 6 months ago
Made it Ma! Top of the World!
doddsino 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Oh, thank you!
What is a "TCM profile"? Was this aired on a TV channel?
tht707 1 year ago
Oh, thank you!
What is a "TCM profile". Was this aired on a TV channel?
tht707 1 year ago
@tht707 TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is a TV station for those classic movies like the ones Cagney played in and so on. They do little tributes in the breaks between movies to the actors/actresses that really left a mark in film history.
Deppaddicted 10 months ago
@Deppaddicted: Thanks! :)
tht707 10 months ago
Two of my all time childhood fighting men role models. Helped me get over shyness, I just hope my girlfriend won't find it too boring! Hehe.
jamesboake 1 year ago
does anyone know the name of the jazz tune at 0:36? i've heard it before in old movies and Boardwalk Empire.
sg8923 1 year ago
Cagney has got to be my all-time favorite actor. The first movie of his I saw was actually Yankee Doodle Dandy, but I had already known his reputation for playing tough guys so it made me grin to see him sing and dance. He is truly one of a kind, and I would love to have met him. Never had a snowball's chance, though, because he died before I was born.
QuestionableSidedish 1 year ago
Cagney was an outstanding performer who acted in musicals, dramas, comedy, etc. When he was in a scene your eyes stayed on him. He had a quick, curious, contemplative, and intelligent mind. He was a generous, loyal, sensitive, and caring man. He was a credit to society and the world as a whole. He was unique and is sorely missed.
mvies77 2 years ago
Without some of the political restraints of today, I could just imagine this guy as a detention officer coming up against these sorry smart ass punks in Prison;Shaddup!. He'd tear 'em up, and have them crying Mommy.
pbrucpaul 2 years ago
Why is everyone comparing Cagney to other actors? Why is everything a pissing contest? Cagney, Eastwood, Brando... they were and are all great performers each with their own style and contribution to film. I like them all for different aspects they brought or are bringing to the screen.
MegaVesper04 2 years ago 4
@MegaVesper04 well said. once you get to a certain i don't think the ranking serves any purpose
eslubin 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
so what cagney could act like a syciopath, soicapath, what does that do for society?
jeryd2003 2 years ago
he made it first as a singer and a dancer, so what does THAT do for society? plus he gave to charity more money than you will ever learn in your life time (as denominated in 1933 dollars) asshat
FellowTraveller 2 years ago
pycopath loving fool....illiterate...ass.firstgrader
jeryd2003 2 years ago
@jeryd2003 He was honest. Society is generally not. For this he deserves respect, by the fucking way, what have you done for "society"?
locheelad2 1 year ago
@jeryd2003 he's made tens of millions smile which is way more than you can say pal.
sg8923 1 year ago
It's so true that nobody could hate Cagney. Even when he played the repugnant, sadistic lowlife "Gimp" in "Love me or Leave Me', you still felt for him.
Pat2296 2 years ago 4
deffinatley the nastiest and most spiteful gangster of them all. his acting is timless, an incredibly talented man. my favorite actor of all time.
ukfirebird 2 years ago 3
Please do not compare Cagney to Eastwood. Cagney is a once-in-a-lifetime talent who thrills anyone who sees his films. He has talent and diversity.
Clint is one look. One angry look he has done in movie after movie.
Cagney could do it all. Sing, dance, smile, frown, scream and whisper.
They are not in the same league.
calvinred 2 years ago 13
I can see where you would say they aren't in the same league. Cagney was brilliant no doubt about it. He's at the top.
But Clint had lots more than one look. He's shown great range, from the steely eyed stare you talk about, in his seminal spaghetti westerns & Josey Wales, to humor of the Every Which Way films, to a combat fatigued veteran of Firefox - those eyes are 'scared' - to the John Wayne channeling cop in City Heat, to maudlin crap he made with streep.
Oh Clint had range all right.
prvthampton 2 years ago
@calvinred
Yes, but you have to admit that Eastwood was the far better director.
sweetcurmudgeon 1 year ago
@sweetcurmudgeon
Thats like comparing Apples & Oranges
bilkomax 1 year ago
@calvinred yeah and Eastwood is a brilliant director. Cagney couldn't direct a kit kat ad.
joelberggren1 7 months ago
early brando is special. but, later, for example his performance in the Godfather resorts to external mechanics. the cotton wool cheeks, orange peel in the mouth, hoarse affected voice. these tricks call attention to themselves.
ma675 2 years ago
moneymoreman - I loved Cagney, too, but do you really think that Marlon Brando was phony? He is widely known as the "most truthful" actor of his generation.
brink1000 2 years ago
Scott was a powerhouse.his sincere appraisal of the irraplaceable Cagney echoes what Welles, Tynan, Eastwood, Hackman- hech- even Churchill felt. Brando was more often indulgent than inspired,but Cagney and Mitchum were never phoney.
moneymoreman 2 years ago 2
Cagney was tough?
On screen.
Jed Harris...
was tough.
frickadele 2 years ago
They all love ya Jim.
...Here look, read for yourself :^)
oldedrum 2 years ago 2
incredible
R0bbiam 2 years ago
Wow. Thank you. Cagney was a class act all the way. And a remarkably bright and kind man. Thanks for sharing this.
Nd179 3 years ago 9
A true legend!
mbarac 3 years ago 3
a class act and a classic actor, one of the best! thanks for sharing this.
uncleswilly 3 years ago 4
james cagney- nevr was there a legend more passionate about acting. thanx for uploadin!
xoxclaudia101xox 3 years ago 3
Cagney was great. I remember being about 10 years old watching angels with dirty faces with gramm
TOTHADEATHSON 3 years ago 2
this is great, only had an edited version, hearing one great actor applaud another is always electrifying,
thanks friend,
G28sp123 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing
faisalq8t 3 years ago
Dear Midnight, This video is very interesting. I just love it! James Cagney is my all time favorite actor. Thanks.
vt32943 3 years ago 2