Yankee Doodle Dandy

Starring James Cagney, Joan Leslie, & Walter Huston

The life of the renowned musical composer, playwright, actor, dancer, and singer George M. Cohan.

Despite failing health, the real George M. Cohan acted briefly as a consultant on the film. He lived long enough to see the finished result and approved wholeheartedly of James Cagney’s depiction of himself.

In the film, George M. Cohan’s sister, Josie, is played by James Cagney’s real sister, Jeanne Cagney. James Cagney was 20 years older than Jeanne. (In the film, Josie Cohan is presented as George’s younger sister. In reality, she was his older sister.)