I met James Cagney on his farm in Oct. 1979. He was my idol my whole life and to meet him, talk to him and make him laugh, was an honor I'll never forget!
I was 8-10 feet away from him. I worked as a vendor at Yankee Stadium. Unlike many famous people he sat in lower box rather then in lodge level luxury boxes. He had a police escort and sadly was walking with a cane. You always think of him as a tough guy or the wonderful dancer in these clips. Nobody got too near to him because of the cops but he got a huge ovation and waved and smiled at everybody. We know we all get old, none escape it, but some are so special it’s too bad we can’t keep them forever. What I love about this interview is you see a modest, confident man but no ego.He declines to admit that he was anything special. A star of stars and a man’s man.
@@FrancieIrish That's very true 💯% 👍 He was nothing like the Gangsters he portrayed in movies. And ,ironically , James Gandolfini , was nothing - what-so-ever , like the Gangster , Tony Soprano , that he portrayed... 2 - True Legends ! RIP : James Cagney 🙏 James Gandolfini 🙏
@@rubydawn1 I didn’t mention anything about his jobs. I commented on how, in spite of everything, he remained married to his only ever wife and didn’t fall into the toxic practice of divorce and remarriage. So I give him much credit and respect, as he deserves.
Peshi couldn't shine Cagney's shoes. Absolutely no comparison. A talent giant and an also ran. Cagney did movies until his 60's and then did one at 80. Where has Joe Pesci been for the past 20 years? He was right though, Cagney was the original gangster, just far more talented and achieved with much more range than just playing a gangster.
Pesci himself would agree that he couldn’t touch Cagney, talent-wise. Why would Pesci complimenting Jimmy turn into an excuse to shit on Pesci? JP is quite a good singer/musician, so not quite as one dimensional as he may occasionally appear.
@@THEBANDIT79793 Academy Award nominations, 1 win… absolute beast of an actor who arguably retired in his prime only to come back for one more film. And the same with Cagney. Almost the exact same thing. With the same amount of nominations and wins
My long-deceased dad, a man of modest physical statute like JC, adopted him as his favorite movie star. Watching this 15 min. clip gave me my dad back. OMG but I am grateful.
True, he always had that jovial, life- affirming spirit about him. Natural born entertainer who energized his audience with every gesture...even immortals like Bogart seemed a little flat footed & pedestrian in comparison!
Because Cagney is just a brilliant and a very kind and compassionate gentleman and if u look at how he lived it wasn’t a eye popping estate, just a beautiful country home NOWHERE near Hollywierd!
ROSS FOSTER, I am 52 years old and a life long Cagney fanatic. I smiled through this whole piece here and I saw your comment. I loved it! That summed up how I always felt without even realizing it! He really does just make you feel good. So humble. What a man! He has that magnetism. I hang on his every word. Thank you for your comment! Made my day!
@@rubydawn1 I wouldn't say what Cagney did was really dancing, at least not what I've seen on film. I'd call it what would later be called performance art. Whatever it was, it was perfect for the character he was portraying.
I'm in my early 60s now, in the mid 1960s I saw Angel's With Dirty Faces. To this day it's my favorite movie. I've seen him in almost every movie he's been in. This man is a national treasure, from any interview I've seen he seems like a genuine man.
Angels With Dirty Faces is my favorite Cagney movie. I always wondered about the ending, if his character was really "yellow" or was it done for the kids so that they wouldn't worship him. An amazing actor who is so very deserving of all the accolades which have been bestowed on him.
Cagney is my very favorite actor of all time. He told aspiring actors to enter the scene, plant your feet on the ground, and tell the truth of the scene. An incomparable person.
I love guys like Clint Eastwood still acting in his 90's but this guy could do everything. Drama, comedy, action, singing, dancing, he did it all. Loved him in Mr. Roberts!
Have you ever seen "Boy Meets Girl"? It's a zany flick where Cagney and Pat O'Brien play wild, uncontrollable screenwriters who are always running scams. Funny stuff.
He no where ranks in the likes of a James Cagney , Bogart , Davis or Hepburn (4 Oscars) ot today Meryl Streep . He has not made the types of movies that Cagney made or a claim . Time will tell .
This man was born and bred with character. All the hype that comes with his career in show biz meant nothing to him, even though he left us with so much. One of a kind you were, Mr. Cagney.
How could anyone not love this man?I cried,the day he left us.Teach your children and grands about him and other wonderful celebrities who are no longer with us.They Will thank you... Rest in peace,Jimmy...you are truly missed.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
James Cagney was truly one of a kind and he was one of the most versatile actor performer's of them all. A legendary actor all around performer. A true legend!
@@heartbreak71 well there was me born and bred here never left never took the queens shilling or uncle sams dollar one one foot in the grave and begob i never knew that!
I met Mr. Cagney in 1964 at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vt. where I was running the elevator. I consider it one of the best experiances of my life..
My wife’s grandfather was a boyhood friend of Mr. Cagney. His name was George “Specs” Toporcer, who played baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20’s. They remained friends their entire lives. George eventually went blind and Mr. Cagney sent George a nice big comfortable chair so he could listen to the ballgames. I remember the Toporcers saying how they used to travel upstate to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Cagney. Wonderful people, wish there were more like them today!
@@lawrencefeeley141 Ohhhh, how WONDERFUL! What a fantastic honor ... He has always been my favorite and idol. What an angel of a powerful man, James Cagney. Thank you for this, Lawrence! Love and respect to your grandfather's lovely, strong spirit!
@@lawrencefeeley141 Cagney mentions by name "Specs" Toporcer" in his A.F.I. acceptance speech along with some other childhood buddies. Who else but Cagney would do that?
Man! Lawrence! Your wife's grandfather! That's FANTSTIC. He was: such an angelic guy. (Wel ... siiiigh. .. the one blot on my Life's Idol, Cagney is: he wasn't the greatest father? Siiiigh. Alas. But: part from that: a SAINT of a human, really, imho. - Stay well and safe, - VCH & Midlantic Theatre Co., Newark, NJ @@lawrencefeeley141 💙💜💚
Wait. Phillip. To be honest: I don't really think here's in that list. PIcky Houlihan is ... Pete Lieden ... and Artie Klein. But Torporcer? Not sure. (Guess I have to go and re-watch i? now? lol. For the BILLIONTH time) - But anyway. NO biggie! @@philiphalpenny3783
When my mom was just out of high school she worked as the elevator operator in the nice hotel in town. Jimmy Cagney came to town to sell war bonds. He got on moms elevator. Mom said he was the nicest guy ever, for real. She politely asked for his autograph. He said: "Sure honey" and wrote it for her.
I had a life-size poster of James Cagney in my room growing up in the 1970s, I ADORE him to this day. So talented and kind. It's an honor to be in the same union as he was. I wish I'd met him before he passed.
The esteem in which Cagney is held can be gauged by the serious A- listers with busy schedules who found the time to turn up up in droves in 1974 when he was awarded the A.F.I. honour...even rock legends Mick Jagger & John Lennon were among the movie royalty that night!
@@lynngregory393 Was that the Million Dollar Movie series? John Travolta said he would study Yankee Doodle Dandy as it was on twice nightly in the '60s...must have been a real thrill for John to have befriended the great star late in life...
True, he would have just as easily shone in the silent era. Hard To Handle, Footlight Parade, Picture Snatcher, Blonde Crazy etc display his inspired sense of motion. He energized the audience with every look & gesture...
James was quite a handsome young man in the film clips - and a good hoofer too! He sure didn't look 80 in the interview, and his mind was sharp as a tack. Thank you for uploading this to keep his legacy alive - it is very important that James Cagney not be forgotten.
They made Tom Snyder and then they broke the mold they didn't have a mole for James Cagney he's a miracle from God I used to watch Tom Snyder about 1 in the morning always loved his show James Cagney I've been in love with all my life I was just a little kid when those movies were coming on TV as reruns no one like him thanks for posting
Tom Snyder was a talking head, who interviewed the people who have actually accomplished something. Things that benefited other people. Without those people he'd have nothing to do. Nothing special about him. Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, although much better at what they did, are the same
James Cagney was my moms crush. We watched his movies growing up. And I raised my children the same way they're young adults with the love for old movies
So much time has passed that a lot of people don't know who this great man was. Thank you for presenting this. Absolutely wonderful to catch a glimpse of him in his latter years.
@@wendyqallab6906 I rate 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' as one of my all time favourites. He played the character so well. Cagney was one of a kind. Wendy, I hope you have a lovely day wherever you are. 🙂
Coming up watching James Cagney was one was a blast. I'm out of Detroit We had this thing Television invented called Gangster Week Me and the Fellows used to sit and watch every Movie that Mr. Cagney played in My favorite movie that James played in was White Heat, Wow those were the Days! I salute You Mr. James Cagney You were the Best of them all that being Edward G Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, and George Raft what a group of Actors who played Gangsters. You all will be dearly missed but Remembered forever Travel well Soldiers!
There was such a softness and kindness about him. Not just his voice. There is no hardness In his eyes. So much talent . Could have thrown any role at this guy. And he'd have made it ideal. Not only could he act but he could dance and when the occasion took him sing.. Back when actors had to be a real performer. Miss you James Cagney. You were a very special guy.
Nobody in Hollywood today even comes close to this guy. Cagney was humble, mild mannered and one of the best there ever was or ever will be. A few years after this interview, Cagney saw Michael J Fox and said that he was the ideal person to play him as they actually looked alike. I then looked a a photo of MJF and a picture of young Cagney and saw the similarity immediately. Fox was another HUGE Cagney fan. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid before he died. After he had died, I had his obituary from the news paper on my wall for years and years later, I had a postcard of James Cagney on my desk at work and it saddened me that they didn’t know who he was. They thought it was an old picture of my dad or something.
He was right here in Dutchess Co. Would have been great to meet him. Both of us from NY & settled here. That as close as we got. Loved his performances, for me timeless. Talent, grace and charm.
My mom was an elevator operator back during WWII. She was around high school age. One day Jimmy was in town selling war bonds and he got on moms elevator. She asked for his autograph. He said "Sure honey". Mom said he was the kindest most down to earth guy you would ever want to meet.
its hard when we see these giants of our youth, our parents' and grandparents' youth, what they did, what they represented, our children will never understand this, and we can never express it to them in a way they can appreciate.
What an interview! We are so fortunate to have this on CZcams so that others may have a closer look of James Cagney. It was great that Tom Snyder had done the interview to allow us to have another view of James Gagney. What an actor, performer and dancer! I loved his movies! James Francis Cagney Jr. died of a heart attack at his Dutchess County farm in Stanford, New York, on Easter Sunday 1986; he was 86 years old. Thomas James Snyder died of complications from leukemia on July 29, 2007, in San Francisco at the age of 71 Rest In Peace Gentlemen. You are both sadly missed....
Had an older brother growing up who watched old movies and I started watching with him. Mr. Cagney just stood out, loved his voice and facial expressions, he was magnificent! All these decades later he’s still my favorite. He was just about the only ‘star’ who showed up at Hattie McDaniel’s funeral, that made me like him even more.
Agreed...they were wonderful in the gentle film 'Johnny Come Lately'. Shame "Hi Hat" Hattie & Jim never made a musical together as the both had an inspired sense of timing...
I have watched Yankee Doodle Dandy at least 100 times. Love Jimmy and saw a lot of his movies. I am 83 so have followed him. Too bad we don't have talent like this today. Have the clip of him dancing with Bob Hope, watch that a lot. Makes you feel great. Jimmy, God Bless you , you are great. Keep making people happy.
He could do it all. I always thought he was in the same league as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly as a dancer, maybe even better. I loved his dance routine coming down the White House steps in Yankee Doodle Dandy, CLASSIC! His acting was also outstanding. His role as Admiral Halsey in the Gallant Hours, was great. Never will be one like him again. Happy that we can always see him due to the magic of film. Whenever TMC shows one of his pictures I always watch. Yankee Doodle Dandy is my favorite.
The Public Enemy is nearly 100 years old. I still watch it just about every time it comes on television, and every time, just like the first time- Cagney is simply e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c! He owns the screen. Dominates it. I'm saying this from a 21st century perspective, so you can only imagine how blown away audiences were in real time. There was never anyone remotely like him before, and there hasn't been anyone like him since. Along with Public Enemy, i also love- Taxi, Blonde Crazy, The Fighting 69th, Each Dawn I Die, Angels with Dirty Faces, The Roaring 20's, City for Conquest, Torrid Zone, White Heat and Love Me or Leave Me.
Strawberry Blonde, One, Two, Three, Yankee Doodle Dandy & Footlight Parade would be in most people's essential Cagney Top 10 also... i'm guessing, Stuart...
@@philiphalpenny3783 Yes. No question. Love all of his movies with Joan Blondell, Ann Sheridan and Mae Clarke. Shanghai Lil with Ruby Keeler is great stuff. Too many great films to list here. Kudos.
@@stuartperry1047 Imagine, Stuart, late in life Cagney turned down The Godfather Part 2 (Hyman Roth part) & Once Upon A Time In America( elderly Noodles part)...
@@stuartperry1047 I know, it would have been a kick to have seen Cagney pass the baton on to the new generation of Pacino & Co...Coppola & Paramount studios made him an offer he DID refuse albeit for health reasons...
Just as humble as they come. How different Cagney was from the Hollywood crowd, now. Then there is Tom, with that solid and intelligent interview approach that you don't get from anybody now a day's.
![What's My Line? - James Cagney; Gore Vidal [panel] (May 15, 1960)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2r15ptBpbTw/mqdefault.jpg)
I met James Cagney on his farm in Oct. 1979. He was my idol my whole life and to meet him, talk to him and make him laugh, was an honor I'll never forget!
Wow!!!! I wish I could have met him. I was always a huge fan of him.
Me,too...loved him since I was a child.
You are so lucky
So lucky
I was 8-10 feet away from him. I worked as a vendor at Yankee Stadium. Unlike many famous people he sat in lower box rather then in lodge level luxury boxes. He had a police escort and sadly was walking with a cane. You always think of him as a tough guy or the wonderful dancer in these clips. Nobody got too near to him because of the cops but he got a huge ovation and waved and smiled at everybody. We know we all get old, none escape it, but some are so special it’s too bad we can’t keep them forever. What I love about this interview is you see a modest, confident man but no ego.He declines to admit that he was anything special. A star of stars and a man’s man.
He was adorable both young and old. Age did not diminish his charm.
A rare man - he was married to his one and only wife till his death and she never left him. A preciously rare diamond of a couple indeed.
He would have been a good provider and loyal partner no matter what job his was there are many good men out there just like him.
He played a gangster , it's fiction the man was adorably kind and so good and down to earth
@@FrancieIrish
That's very true 💯% 👍
He was nothing like the Gangsters he portrayed in movies. And ,ironically , James Gandolfini , was nothing - what-so-ever , like the Gangster , Tony Soprano , that he portrayed... 2 - True Legends ! RIP :
James Cagney 🙏
James Gandolfini 🙏
@@rubydawn1 I didn’t mention anything about his jobs. I commented on how, in spite of everything, he remained married to his only ever wife and didn’t fall into the toxic practice of divorce and remarriage. So I give him much credit and respect, as he deserves.
@@FrancieIrish and he insisted that his gangster characters never be idolized into heros in the films he mad
What an absolute legend. They don't make actors like him anymore. What an humble and modest man he was.
Very , VERY TRUE ! 💯%🙏
Thank you you are correct serious man when he worked but a truly humble and gracious man the epitome of greatnness
THANK you James Cagney
Pesci would be the first to say “The original gangster in motion picture history goes to James Cagney!!!” A true legend
Peshi couldn't shine Cagney's shoes. Absolutely no comparison. A talent giant and an also ran. Cagney did movies until his 60's and then did one at 80. Where has Joe Pesci been for the past 20 years? He was right though, Cagney was the original gangster, just far more talented and achieved with much more range than just playing a gangster.
Pesci himself would agree that he couldn’t touch Cagney, talent-wise.
Why would Pesci complimenting Jimmy turn into an excuse to shit on Pesci?
JP is quite a good singer/musician, so not quite as one dimensional as he may occasionally appear.
Please don’t compare that b level actor to James Cagney. Pesci would be nothing with out Martin Scorsese’s work.
@@THEBANDIT79793 Academy Award nominations, 1 win… absolute beast of an actor who arguably retired in his prime only to come back for one more film.
And the same with Cagney. Almost the exact same thing. With the same amount of nominations and wins
Thank you for keeping this wonderful person and actor in the spotlight. He died at age 86 of a heart attack in 1986. RIP Mr. Cagney.
James Cagney had the same birthday as my grandmother she died in 1987
Gee, thanks. Thought he was still alive.
How can James Cagney die...get real😊
Cagney was the epitome of a grounded person. American legend.
What a privilege to talk to a legend like James Cagney! And I suspect at 80 he modestly accepts the term "legend." (1/6/2023)
80 years old and still sharp as a tack. A true legend. Gotta love him.
The original original gangster.
My long-deceased dad, a man of modest physical statute like JC, adopted him as his favorite movie star. Watching this 15 min. clip gave me my dad back. OMG but I am grateful.
I’m strolling through this these old videos and I have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Please God don’t let these giants ever be forgotten.
Legendary man
A truly humble serious man did not take himself too seriously funny and witty man to
Acting skills, personality, dancing, singing, and humility!! James Cagney = LEGEND!!!!!
Agreed!
The interviewer was trying to butter him up
Dancer🌺😌
You forgot; true Professional.
My favorite film of his is 13 Rue Madeline. Fabulous movie.
Who doesn’t love Cagney finest actor of his time
Thank you for posting this.I’m 67 now grew up watching this man. I don’t remember him telling anyone how to vote!
Hollywood actually focused on making good movies back then not push political correctness.
Well said
When he spoke of 'Ronnie Regan', that made me laugh. Just the familiarity of their obvious Hollywood connection.
Not only was he a legend in his films but he also set up the union for actors. What a brilliant, humble and great man he was.
...and he clearly respected Ronald Reagan 👍
The one actor who deserved immortality--and got it. No person has ever entertained me more.
Remarkable how humble and thoughtful James Gagney was
I have a notion to second THAT emotion !
I get the feeling that he bought that farm for a good reason. He just doesn't strike me as the kind of soul who was into all the Hollywood drama.
A man that always had your attention on the screen.. a great one for sure...
Why is it when I watch James Cagney I just feel good? I think we all know why. Class!! A TRUE professional.
True, he always had that jovial, life- affirming spirit about him. Natural born entertainer who energized his audience with every gesture...even immortals like Bogart seemed a little flat footed & pedestrian in comparison!
Because Cagney is just a brilliant and a very kind and compassionate gentleman and if u look at how he lived it wasn’t a eye popping estate, just a beautiful country home NOWHERE near Hollywierd!
ROSS FOSTER, I am 52 years old and a life long Cagney fanatic. I smiled through this whole piece here and I saw your comment. I loved it! That summed up how I always felt without even realizing it! He really does just make you feel good. So humble. What a man! He has that magnetism. I hang on his every word. Thank you for your comment! Made my day!
@@philiphalpenny3783 because he didn’t have the enormous ego of Bogart. Bogart was a wife beater. Look at Cagney. Been with his wife for 50 years.
@@desertbloom12 “Kind compassionate Gentleman”. No truer words can be spoken of him. And tough as they come.
Cagney - will always be remembered, if only the 'so-called celebrities' today had the grace and charm of this gentleman. RIP Jimmy!
Denzel does!
@@alanwilson149 SO VERY T.U.R.E.......
They do
True that.
James, You are sorely missed and needed nowadays.. aI will always remember, "our Yankee Doodle Dandy" The greatest Dandy of them all! RIP🇺🇲💖
Great actor. Great dancer. No secrets. No bull. Just a great actor. A legend. 👍
I think no matter what job he did he would be amazing at.
@@rubydawn1 I wouldn't say what Cagney did was really dancing, at least not what I've seen on film. I'd call it what would later be called performance art. Whatever it was, it was perfect for the character he was portraying.
@A Krenwinkle he was a trained dancer. You should watch The Seven Little Foys for his dance cameo.
Grapefruits & Famous Noses .From Gangsters to Good Guys, James Cagney was the Best ! 💓🌹
Orson Welles said he thought Cagney was the most talented American movie actor he had ever seen.
I'm in my early 60s now, in the mid 1960s I saw Angel's With Dirty Faces. To this day it's my favorite movie. I've seen him in almost every movie he's been in. This man is a national treasure, from any interview I've seen he seems like a genuine man.
Angels With Dirty Faces is my favorite Cagney movie. I always wondered about the ending, if his character was really "yellow" or was it done for the kids so that they wouldn't worship him. An amazing actor who is so very deserving of all the accolades which have been bestowed on him.
i was thinking its kinda funny he is known more for the other movies than the one he won the oscar for
@@MatthewCaruso-ky4uz Because they did not give Oscars to someone playing a gangster back then. He should have gotten one for White Heat.
@@lovesmusic36you touch my ❤️ what a legendary man
He WAS the man. What an all around actor. He could do ANYTHING. 👍
RIP Mr. Cagney
Cagney is my very favorite actor of all time. He told aspiring actors to enter the scene, plant your feet on the ground, and tell the truth of the scene. An incomparable person.
Indubitably !
I love guys like Clint Eastwood still acting in his 90's but this guy could do everything. Drama, comedy, action, singing, dancing, he did it all. Loved him in Mr. Roberts!
3 great actors in one fabulous movie!
@@gabriellefagan1014 True!
Have you ever seen "Boy Meets Girl"? It's a zany flick where Cagney and Pat O'Brien play wild, uncontrollable screenwriters who are always running scams. Funny stuff.
@@TheRKae I need to look it up, thank you!
Now I want to watch Mr.Roberts.
Thank you so much for showing this long ago interview with the late great Jimmy cagney
They don’t make movie stars with class like he had .
Don't discount Hugh Jackman!
He no where ranks in the likes of a James Cagney , Bogart , Davis or Hepburn (4 Oscars) ot today Meryl Streep . He has not made the types of movies that Cagney made or a claim . Time will tell .
No, stars today don't compare in any way to the great ones of yesteryear. I have seen them all. I don't go to movies today.
The “class” that he possessed came from within. He was a morally good man.
@@skyry101 lmfao, not even close!
They just don’t make stars like him anymore. They truly were the greatest generation. Decent, humble and love of country and values.
I loved James Cagney a proper star ⭐⭐ unlike these days man
The humility guys like Cagney, Brando, Mitchum had was priceless
GREAT trio there! JC, Mitchum and Brando. AGREED!
Get chills thinking about his career. Could you imagine the excitement on the set of Ragtime when James Cagney shows up??
It must of been incredible
I've never been one for fan worship but in James Cagney's case I make the exception.....great actor and wonderful human being.
They don't make stars like James Cagney anymore.
Rest In Peace, 🕯
I love this man so much!!! I could watch him tap dance all day. I can’t count the times I’ve watched Yankee Doodle Dandy. 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Just ONE of the many examples of class, grace and talent that will never be replaced...RIP Mr. Cagney!
This man was born and bred with character. All the hype that comes with his career in show biz meant nothing to him, even though he left us with so much. One of a kind you were, Mr. Cagney.
James Cagney I salute you ... R.I.P. 🙏 .... greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
How could anyone not love this man?I cried,the day he left us.Teach your children and grands about him and other wonderful celebrities who are no longer with us.They Will thank you...
Rest in peace,Jimmy...you are truly missed.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Agreed - 100% 👍🙏💙
James Cagney was truly one of a kind and he was one of the most versatile actor performer's of them all. A legendary actor all around performer. A true legend!
He is an American treasure, never to be seen again. The world embraced this wonderful Irishman
Irish?
you bet the best
@@heartbreak71 well there was me born and bred here never left never took the queens shilling or uncle sams dollar one one foot in the grave and begob i never knew that!
I agree 100%
Very humble man, unlike some of Hollywood actors today
Cagney never walked anywhere. He danced. He glided. Never walked.
I met Mr. Cagney in 1964 at the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vt. where I was running the elevator. I consider it one of the best experiances of my life..
I'm 63 and still love Mr. Cagney too this day. one of America's Greatest Actors.
My wife’s grandfather was a boyhood friend of Mr. Cagney. His name was George “Specs” Toporcer, who played baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20’s. They remained friends their entire lives. George eventually went blind and Mr. Cagney sent George a nice big comfortable chair so he could listen to the ballgames. I remember the Toporcers saying how they used to travel upstate to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Cagney. Wonderful people, wish there were more like them today!
@@lawrencefeeley141 Ohhhh, how WONDERFUL! What a fantastic honor ... He has always been my favorite and idol. What an angel of a powerful man, James Cagney. Thank you for this, Lawrence! Love and respect to your grandfather's lovely, strong spirit!
@@lawrencefeeley141 Cagney mentions by name "Specs" Toporcer" in his A.F.I. acceptance speech along with some other childhood buddies. Who else but Cagney would do that?
Man! Lawrence! Your wife's grandfather! That's FANTSTIC. He was: such an angelic guy. (Wel ... siiiigh. .. the one blot on my Life's Idol, Cagney is: he wasn't the greatest father? Siiiigh. Alas. But: part from that: a SAINT of a human, really, imho. - Stay well and safe, - VCH & Midlantic Theatre Co., Newark, NJ @@lawrencefeeley141 💙💜💚
Wait. Phillip. To be honest: I don't really think here's in that list. PIcky Houlihan is ... Pete Lieden ... and Artie Klein. But Torporcer? Not sure. (Guess I have to go and re-watch i? now? lol. For the BILLIONTH time) - But anyway. NO biggie! @@philiphalpenny3783
When my mom was just out of high school she worked as the elevator operator in the nice hotel in town.
Jimmy Cagney came to town to sell war bonds.
He got on moms elevator.
Mom said he was the nicest guy ever, for real.
She politely asked for his autograph.
He said:
"Sure honey" and wrote it for her.
O, man! Your LUCKY mom! That's TERRIFIC. 🍀🌳🌲🌺
He was wonderful. I envy your mom.
I had a life-size poster of James Cagney in my room growing up in the 1970s, I ADORE him to this day. So talented and kind. It's an honor to be in the same union as he was. I wish I'd met him before he passed.
The esteem in which Cagney is held can be gauged by the serious A- listers with busy schedules who found the time to turn up up in droves in 1974 when he was awarded the A.F.I. honour...even rock legends Mick Jagger & John Lennon were among the movie royalty that night!
I had the same poster and Bogart too.
I admired Cagney since 1960s when local tv repeatedly showed Yankee Doodle Dandy! I am 67 now and I still love him!
@@lynngregory393 Was that the Million Dollar Movie series? John Travolta said he would study Yankee Doodle Dandy as it was on twice nightly in the '60s...must have been a real thrill for John to have befriended the great star late in life...
@@lynngregory393 I’m a year younger than you! Still watch him etc. on TCM.
Always loved James Cagney. He was a once in a lifetime talent. He could do any movie.
His kinetic electric energy and rapid-fire delivery was a joy to observe in (especially) the pre-codies
True, he would have just as easily shone in the silent era. Hard To Handle, Footlight Parade, Picture Snatcher, Blonde Crazy etc display his inspired sense of motion. He energized the audience with every look & gesture...
James was quite a handsome young man in the film clips - and a good hoofer too! He sure didn't look 80 in the interview, and his mind was sharp as a tack.
Thank you for uploading this to keep his legacy alive - it is very important that James Cagney not be forgotten.
James Cagney was a great actor and a great human being. Cagney was truly one of a kind! One of the most talented men in show business.
I heartily concur ! Well said and well put !
Cagney was the greatest actor of all time. He could do anything comedy, musicals, drama!!
They made Tom Snyder and then they broke the mold they didn't have a mole for James Cagney he's a miracle from God I used to watch Tom Snyder about 1 in the morning always loved his show James Cagney I've been in love with all my life I was just a little kid when those movies were coming on TV as reruns no one like him thanks for posting
Tom Snyder was a talking head, who interviewed the people who have actually accomplished something. Things that benefited other people. Without those people he'd have nothing to do. Nothing special about him. Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, although much better at what they did, are the same
James Cagney and Tom Snyder: Two national treasures!
Totally agree Brian! Miss both these great Men!
Easy now... the only thing one might treasure regarding Snyder would be discovering the origins of that monstrosity sitting atop his noggin
@@manofiske3318 HaHa. I couldnt have said it better!
My lifetime fav . The U.S. stamp of him has been on my refrigerator for years. No stress. No strain 💖
Anytime his pictures are playing on TV, I gotta watch 'em - no matter how many times I watched them before. A true legend !
Me, too! EXACTLY. Cagney NUTZ we are! and SOOO much luckier for it. xo, VCFH & Midlantic Theatre Co., Newark, NJ
One of the best things Cagney did was listen in a scene....truly a gift
James Cagney was my moms crush. We watched his movies growing up. And I raised my children the same way they're young adults with the love for old movies
The legendary James Cagney! RIP to a total legend x
Madonna true blue album has a song called "white heat " listen if you can , James Cagney in the beginning of song , even madonna loved j.c
So much time has passed that a lot of people don't know who this great man was.
Thank you for presenting this. Absolutely wonderful to catch a glimpse of him in his latter years.
My same exact thoughts 💭
most people know
Even the greats are forgotten after time. Maybe with all the high technology today these people will remain as part of our history
Simply the best he was.
@@wendyqallab6906 I rate 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' as one of my all time favourites. He played the character so well. Cagney was one of a kind.
Wendy, I hope you have a lovely day wherever you are. 🙂
I love James Cagney. He was amazing in his prime. I loved all his films
What an American legend. Outstanding entertainer, what a gentleman. Crazy insane career. God Bless him, Rest in Peace Sir …
Humility personified.
He’s a very humble man. We’re blessed to have grown up with people as James Cagney. ❤️
Cagney's dance style was one of a kind.
One of the truly great talents of the Golden Age. Thanks for posting.
Humility, class, and talent. 🌞🌞❤️🌈
My favourite actor of all-time. Superb.
He could almost fly, on stage 💚🦅
Yes. Great way to put it.
A Legend who lives on in his superb movies. A true great
Coming up watching James Cagney was one was a blast. I'm out of Detroit We had this thing Television invented called Gangster Week Me and the Fellows used to sit and watch every Movie that Mr. Cagney played in My favorite movie that James played in was White Heat, Wow those were the Days! I salute You Mr. James Cagney You were the Best of them all that being Edward G Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, and George Raft what a group of Actors who played Gangsters. You all will be dearly missed but Remembered forever Travel well Soldiers!
Cagney was a real craftsman. Honest and unassuming.
I love him and will forever
There was such a softness and kindness about him. Not just his voice.
There is no hardness In his eyes.
So much talent . Could have thrown any role at this guy. And he'd have made it ideal.
Not only could he act but he could dance and when the occasion took him sing..
Back when actors had to be a real performer.
Miss you James Cagney.
You were a very special guy.
There were only a few. Bogart. Jimmy Stewart. Orson Welles. John Wayne. James Cagney. Legends. Larger than life.
TS is larger than life now.
@Leo Peridot Great list. I would also add Katherine Hapburn, Barbara Stanwick, Henry Fonda and Gary Cooper.
@Leo Peridot I forgot James Stewart.
Fred Mcmurray as well, Jennifer jones ,Olivia DeHavilland
Errol Flynn
I watched this at least 1000 times !
Lol! I'm working on that, too!
Nobody in Hollywood today even comes close to this guy. Cagney was humble, mild mannered and one of the best there ever was or ever will be. A few years after this interview, Cagney saw Michael J Fox and said that he was the ideal person to play him as they actually looked alike. I then looked a a photo of MJF and a picture of young Cagney and saw the similarity immediately. Fox was another HUGE Cagney fan.
I’ve been a fan since I was a kid before he died. After he had died, I had his obituary from the news paper on my wall for years and years later, I had a postcard of James Cagney on my desk at work and it saddened me that they didn’t know who he was. They thought it was an old picture of my dad or something.
God bless James Cagney. In heaven. You'll be remembered forever. Thanks for all the memories.
what a wonderful actor, gave enjoyment to many of us. thanks
He was right here in Dutchess Co. Would have been great to meet him. Both of us from NY & settled here. That as close as we got. Loved his performances, for me timeless. Talent, grace and charm.
His role in "Mr Roberts" was under appreciated. He also had a knack for comedy.
Been a Cagney fan for 50 years and never knew of this interview. Thanks for posting.
My mom was an elevator operator back during WWII. She was around high school age. One day Jimmy was in town selling war bonds and he got on moms elevator. She asked for his autograph.
He said "Sure honey".
Mom said he was the kindest most down to earth guy you would ever want to meet.
its hard when we see these giants of our youth, our parents' and grandparents' youth, what they did, what they represented, our children will never understand this, and we can never express it to them in a way they can appreciate.
What an interview! We are so fortunate to have this on CZcams so that others may have a closer look of James Cagney.
It was great that Tom Snyder had done the interview to allow us to have another view of James Gagney. What an actor, performer and dancer! I loved his movies!
James Francis Cagney Jr. died of a heart attack at his Dutchess County farm in Stanford, New York, on Easter Sunday 1986; he was 86 years old.
Thomas James Snyder died of complications from leukemia on July 29, 2007, in San Francisco at the age of 71
Rest In Peace Gentlemen. You are both sadly missed....
Thanks for the info.
I would have love to meet Mr Cagney
They don't make 'em like this anymore - modest, humble, self-effacing, grateful for his blessings. A great actor and a great man. Ave, atque, vale.
James Cagney was one of the very few actors I wouldn't mind running into. A real human being.
Jimmy Cagney was the best, didn't even have any training to be an actor,and what a dancer!
Cagney seemed in such great spirits. Really cool to see.
Great actor and dancer.
Had an older brother growing up who watched old movies and I started watching with him. Mr. Cagney just stood out, loved his voice and facial expressions, he was magnificent! All these decades later he’s still my favorite. He was just about the only ‘star’ who showed up at Hattie McDaniel’s funeral, that made me like him even more.
Agreed...they were wonderful in the gentle film 'Johnny Come Lately'. Shame "Hi Hat" Hattie & Jim never made a musical together as the both had an inspired sense of timing...
You're so right, Phillip - Hattie McDanile and JC in a musical would'
ve ben PERFE CTION! @@philiphalpenny3783 @racourdav
God Bless you Mr. Cagney, thanks for the memories .
You've made me proud to be an IRISHMAN. Erin Go Bragh
and rest peacefully 💖 🙏
Another unreal icon that I was privileged to enjoy in my life time !
A Remarkable talent. Never to be duplicated.
I have watched Yankee Doodle Dandy at least 100 times. Love Jimmy and saw a lot of his movies. I am 83 so have followed him. Too bad we don't have talent like this today. Have the clip of him dancing with Bob Hope, watch that a lot. Makes you feel great. Jimmy, God Bless you , you are great. Keep making people happy.
Keep watching for that sky rocket which clears Little Johnny Jones' name, Nancy...
James Cagney. So humble. What a class act of a man. One of the last of the great Americans. He's was still sharp mind for 80.
He could do it all. I always thought he was in the same league as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly as a dancer, maybe even better. I loved his dance routine coming down the White House steps in Yankee Doodle Dandy, CLASSIC! His acting was also outstanding. His role as Admiral Halsey in the Gallant Hours, was great. Never will be one like him again. Happy that we can always see him due to the magic of film. Whenever TMC shows one of his pictures I always watch. Yankee Doodle Dandy is my favorite.
The Public Enemy is nearly 100 years old. I still watch it just about every time it comes on television, and every time, just like the first time- Cagney is simply e-l-e-c-t-r-i-c! He owns the screen. Dominates it. I'm saying this from a 21st century perspective, so you can only imagine how blown away audiences were in real time. There was never anyone remotely like him before, and there hasn't been anyone like him since. Along with Public Enemy, i also love- Taxi, Blonde Crazy, The Fighting 69th, Each Dawn I Die, Angels with Dirty Faces, The Roaring 20's, City for Conquest, Torrid Zone, White Heat and Love Me or Leave Me.
Strawberry Blonde, One, Two, Three, Yankee Doodle Dandy & Footlight Parade would be in most people's essential Cagney Top 10 also... i'm guessing, Stuart...
@@philiphalpenny3783 Yes. No question. Love all of his movies with Joan Blondell, Ann Sheridan and Mae Clarke. Shanghai Lil with Ruby Keeler is great stuff. Too many great films to list here. Kudos.
@@stuartperry1047 Imagine, Stuart, late in life Cagney turned down The Godfather Part 2 (Hyman Roth part) & Once Upon A Time In America( elderly Noodles part)...
@@philiphalpenny3783 Cagney and Pacino! Be still my heart!!
@@stuartperry1047 I know, it would have been a kick to have seen Cagney pass the baton on to the new generation of Pacino & Co...Coppola & Paramount studios made him an offer he DID refuse albeit for health reasons...
Just as humble as they come. How different Cagney was from the Hollywood crowd, now. Then there is Tom, with that solid and intelligent interview approach that you don't get from anybody now a day's.