I liked James Cagney as an actor. He was a natural.
"James Francis Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American film actor. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of roles, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.
Many critics of the time and since have declared it [Yankee Doodle Dandy] to be Cagney's best film, drawing parallels between Cohan and Cagney; they both began their careers in vaudeville, had years of struggle before reaching the peak of their profession, were surrounded with family and married early, and both had a wife who was happy to sit back while he went on to stardom. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards (winning three) and Cagney won Best Actor.
In his acceptance speech, Cagney said:
"I've always maintained that in this business, you're only as good as the other fellow thinks you are. It's nice to know that you people thought I did a good job. And don't forget that it was a good part, too."
On September 28, 1922, Cagney married dancer Frances Willard "Billie" Vernon with whom he remained for the rest of his life. They met on the chorus line of Pitter Patter. They adopted a son, James Cagney Jr (Jim) in 1941, and had a daughter, Cathleen "Casey" Cagney. Cagney was a very private man, and while he was more than willing to give the press photographs when necessary, he generally spent his private time out of the public eye."
Although he was such a huge film star James Cagney lived a modest life, and was faithful to his wife of 64 years. Not sure where he stood with the Lord Jesus Christ. Though I would guess, since he was an Irish Catholic, he had a nominal religion and Christianity. He surely may have had faith in Christ as his Savior.
I hope he did.
2 comments:
"Some nice singing?!" I thought that his singing was something we endured in order to receive the benefits of other stuff that was really good, like his dancing.
Anyway, it is most honorable that he kept his wife for more than 6 decades. I respect that.
I guess you're right about his voice.
He was better saying, "MMmmm, you dirty Rat!"
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