James Cagney, Jr. (July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986), he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." Cagney's seventh film, The Public Enemy, became one of the most influential gangster movies of the period. Notable for its famous grapefruit scene.
In 1938, he received his first Academy Award for Best Actor nomination for Angels with Dirty Faces, before winning in 1942 for his portrayal of George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy. He was nominated a third time in 1955 for Love Me or Leave Me. Cagney retired for 20 years in 1961, spending time on his farm before returning for a part in the film, Ragtime after a stroke.
I LOVE James Cagney. As you probably already know, my favorite actors are William Holden and Gary Cooper; however, James Cagney also has a #1 slot in my book...I think he is the BEST actor that has ever lived. Really, I think he was Oscar-worthy in nearly every film he ever did. I can't believe he only won 1 Oscar.
ReplyDeleteWhite Heat, Love Me or Leave Me, Angels with Dirty Faces, Man of a Thousand Faces, Mister Roberts, The Public Enemy...those are my favorite of his films.
What an incredible actor!!
Oh, and would you believe that I actually get teary-eyed in a Cagney film? City for Conquest really gets to me. LOVE it!!
ReplyDeletePatty, Now... I will have to see the film, City for Conquest. I have not seen too many, James Cagney, films, but... I have enjoyed the ones I have seen.
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