By David Kittredge
By David Kittredge
“You’re a Grand Old Flag / You’re a high-flying flag.”
Every year about this time, as Independence Day nears, I look forward to watching the old Oscar-winning film “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942) starring Jimmy Cagney. The play and the movie are an autobiography of playwright and actor George M. Cohan. Cagney portrays Cohan and the “Irish” image with perfection due to his “I can take it on the chin” spirit and personality. As Cagney hoofs it across the stage, arms windmilling, feet flying, his tough-guy image is intermingled with class and bravado, as his feet and his voice both rat-a-tat like the energy expelled from a machine gun. Upon seeing the movie of his play “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with Cagney’s Oscar-winning performance, Cohen remarked, “My God, what an act to follow.”
“And forever in peace may you wave.”
The movie was first written as a musical for Broadway by George M. Cohan who was born on July 3, 1878. He and his family always claimed that Cohan was born on the fourth of July, making him, “a real live Yankee Doodle.” Cohan was an Irish-Catholic, which meant he had two societal strikes against him in late nineteenth century America, where his heritages were deemed inferior.
“You’re the emblem of the land that I love,”
George M. Cohan learned to sing and dance as soon as he could walk and joined his family on the vaudeville stage. He was a precocious child star who was capable of “stealing the show,” but soon learned humility to complement his extraordinary talent. Cohen toured with his family on stage from 1890 to 1901 ending their performances with his speech. “My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you.”
“The home of the free and the brave.”
Cohan’s inspiration for the song, “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” came after a meeting a Confederate War soldier who had fought at Gettysburg. The veteran who was carefully clutching a tattered old American flag told Cohan that “she’s a grand old rag.” Inspired by the line, Cohan originally named his tune, “You’re a Grand Old Rag,” which received objection so he “gave ‘em what they wanted” and changed the name.
”Ev’ry heart beats true,”
On May 1, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt awarded Mr. Cohan with the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to World War One moral with the songs, “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Cohan became the first artist to receive the accolade which was usually reserved for politicians, military leaders, philanthropists and the like.
“‘Neath the Red, White and Blue,”
A bronze statue of George M. Cohan with the eulogy, “Give My Regards to Broadway,” the title of another of his popular songs, was erected in Times Square in 1968, being the only statue ever erected honoring a Broadway actor. Mr. Cohan is deemed to be the father of the American musical comedy and as “the man who owned Broadway” in the first decade of the twentieth century.
“Where there’s never a boast or a brag.”
In honoring this American classic and these personalities, I thank George M. Cohan, I thank James Cagney and I remember my old friend Charlie who also enjoyed the film “Yankee Doodle Dandy” at this time every year. Often times, if Charlie and I were working together near the fourth of July, I would try to mimic Cagney’s crooning as Charlie broke out some of Cagney’s dance moves, which he did quite well.
“But should auld acquaintance be forgot / Keep your eye on the grand old flag.”
David Kittredge is a regular contributor to The Eagle Times. You can send comments to him via the editor.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.