Yankee Doodle Dandy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Michael Curtiz
List Price:
Our Price: $9.99
You Save: $17.00 (63%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $8.22 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Irene Manning, James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Walter HustonDirector: Michael Curtiz
Brand: WEA
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Special Edition, Subtitled
Picture Format: Academy Ratio, 1.33:1
Running Time: 126 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-30
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Movie Reviews of Yankee Doodle Dandy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: The most "American" movie ever made? Quite possibly!
Summary: 5 Stars
Oh what an out-and-out joy is this film!
As you know by now, the amazing James Cagney sings, dances and acts his way through this rousing biopic of George M. Cohan. He's directed by Michael Curtiz, a director who apparently could work in any genre of movie, and produce masterpieces. Pull up his name on imdb and you'll see what I mean.
Anyways, the film traces his life from his infant vaudevillian beginnings to his conquering of Broadway. After seeing this, you'll know why there's a statue of Cohan in Times Square.
The acting, as expected, is top-notch, with the sweet Joan Leslie as his love interest Mary, Walter Huston as his dad; Cagney's sister plays Cagney's sister...but what will bring you to see this movie again and again are the musical interludes.
Cagney is simply spectacular. He is a comet, bouncing around the Broadway stage. His dancing often flirts with straight-out levitation. I swear there are times when his feet fly across the screen...
Then consider the songs..."Yankee Doodle Dandy", "Mary", "Give My Regards to Broadway" and the most patriotic song I've ever heard, "Over There."
That song was written for the troops of WW I, and this film was being made when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The way this one song is used in this film, I guarantee, will stay with you forever. And knowing that this movie was made during that time only enhances your experience...but I didn't know it until afterwards, and it made no difference.
And that leads to the one thing I feel is overlooked in most reviews of this film: the script. It's has a strong story, great lines, terrific set-pieces and delightful twists. It's funny as all-get-out, and heart-wrenching when you least expect it.
The movie is as American as can be...the rags-to-riches rise of the central figure in Broadway history (the Broadway musical being essentially an American creation), the way his family travels to all the new states as they are incorporated...the evolution of New York City...WW I...WW II...it's all here!
And from beginning to end, Cohan (and the filmmakers) wear their "Grand Old Flag" on their proverbial sleeves, proudly and unabashedly. Patriotism is a definite theme througout the film, rising to dizzying heights right before the credits. Patriotism portrayed simply and honestly, without any hard political bent or satirical edge.
The DVD, one of those sweet Warner 2-disc sets, is exemplary...great transfer, nice extras...bravo Warner, again, for treating your classics with respect.
It's inarguable: this is one of the great films of all time. I envy those of you about to see it for the first time, and I assure you it won't be your last!
Summary of Yankee Doodle Dandy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Musical about composer, actor, dancer, singer, George M. Cohan.Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: NR
Street Date: 04/05/05
Wide Screen: no
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
Language: ENGLISH
Foreign Film: noSubtitles: no
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: yes
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve
Similar DVD Movies
Man of a Thousand FacesUniversal Studios; Release date: 2008-06-24; DVD
Best price: $12.37
Price in other shops:
The Jolson StoryParks; Release date: 2003-10-21; DVD
Best price: $7.88
Price in other shops:
Angels With Dirty FacesWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-01-25; DVD
Best price: $12.88
Price in other shops:
Warner Gangsters Collection, Vol. 1 (The Public Enemy / White Heat / Angels with Dirty Faces / Little Caesar / The Petrified Forest / The Roaring Twenties)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-03-25; DVD
Best price: $26.90
Price in other shops:
White HeatCAGNEY,JAMES; Release date: 2005-01-25; DVD
Best price: $4.38
Price in other shops:
Mrs. MiniverWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-02-03; DVD
Best price: $6.16
Price in other shops:
The Public EnemyWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-01-25; DVD
Best price: $3.53
Price in other shops:
James Cagney - The Signature Collection (The Bride Came C.O.D. / Captains of the Clouds / The Fighting 69th / Torrid Zone / The West Point Story)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops:
Mister Roberts (Keep Case Packaging)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-09-19; DVD
Best price: $5.98
Price in other shops:
Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-11-07; DVD
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops: