Reviews (43)

Lots of Singing and Dancing
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was released just before the legendary George M. Cohan died from cancer. It was a patriotic movie made during the first year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. The movie was also a musical with lots of singing and dancing - especially by James Cagney. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY should be respected mostly for its music and dancing and not for its story which was about the life of Cohan. Nobody ever credited the film with much accuracy - including Cohan himself.

Cagney considered his role as Cohan to be one of his favorites. It should have been since Cagney began his own show business career as a young hoofer in New York City.

The supporting cast of Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Irene Manning and Rosemary DeCamp was very strong. Cagney's sister Jeanne played the part of Josie Cohan and Frances Langford appeared as a singer. Eddie Foy Jr. made a brief showing as his own real life father, Eddie Foy.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY won Academy Awards for Best Actor (James Cagney), Scoring of a Musical Picture and Sound Recording. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Director (Michael Curtiz), Supporting Actor (Walter Huston), Original Story and Editing. The main competition for Oscars in 1942 came from MRS. MINIVER. Director Michael Curtiz won an Academy Award for CASABLANCA in 1943.

Give My Regards To Cagney
Only 1942 Hollywood could show an aging songwriter stepping in with a parade and being challenged to sing a patriotic song which he wrote. And George M. Cohan wrote quite a few.

James Cagney's Best Actor performance takes place in flashback in the White House as he is summoned to receive a Medal of Honor for his body of work. He tells his bio to President Franklin Roosevelt, whom he is portraying in his show, "I'd Rather Be Right."

Cohan describes his early life in Vaudeville, travelling America with his parents and sister, and how he matures and partners with producer Sam Harris. His ups, downs and true loves weave the well-explained circumstances of many of his 80 plays and 500 hit songs. In particular, "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Mary," "You're A Grand Old Flag," and of course, the rousing WWI anthem, "Over There."

Although Cagney's character is a bit glib and constantly wisecracking, his relationships with family, business associates and competitors are well-defined. And of course, his superb dancing and physical movement may come as a surprise to gangster-movie purists. This is particularly evident in a scene he admittedly ad-libbed near the film's end.

Perhaps with America again at war, a classic film like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is just what we need to enjoy.

Where has our patriotism gone?
I saw this movie for the first time last night w/ my father. He wanted me to see this movie to see the contrast of what people were like in the 40's-50's and how society is today. I'm 23 years old and to be honest with you, I thought that I wouldn't like this movie. As it turns out, I greatly enjoyed it. It was a wonderful story, full of patriotism - it just makes you proud to be in this country. What movies are out that are like this today? None. And that makes me incredibly sad to see such anti-Americanism. For what? If you want to see a movie that puts a fire in your belly and gets your spirit going, go see this movie - you will not be disappointed!

This is a MUST Own
There aren't too many movies that I'd say are pretty near perfect...but this is one of them!

I've seen it a dozen times, and I'm always amazed at how the movie doesn't fail to hold your interest the entire time. It's rousing, it's stirring, it's high energy, all the time!

I've not seen the colorized version, but the black and white is so appropriate to its time, I'm satisfied with the movie as it.

As many reviewers have mentioned, James Cagney is so perfect in this role, you can't imagine anyone else in it! He always considered himself a song-and-dance man, though you wouldn't know it if you were a fan of his many gangster flicks. Fred Astaire turned down the role, if you believe the many stories. And, as much as I love Astaire, the film would have suffered for it. The manic energy Cagney displays in the highlight musical numbers just brings his role to perfection.

If you are looking for a classic, never-to-be-topped movie about a songwriter, Broadway, great, rousing music, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' is your film.

VERY HIGHLY Recommended! One of the top films of all time. (The American Film Institute lists it at 100th place, but it should be moved up much higher!)

Excellent Musical
With gloriously entertaining numbers and top notch direction. Among the best biopics of all time. A great, amazing, brilliant performance from Cagney; and excellent jobs from Walter Huston (Tresure of the Sierra Madre) and Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) who got help in the musical numbers by George M. Cohan himself. Watch for the marvellous performance from Cagney; but the musical numbers are great too. This is a good edition; Warner has been earning great merit in the DVD world lately. ... Read more

Description

In the South, peddler marries school teacher and then starts on a whirlwind rise politically, using hysteria among cotton pickers and small-town folk as his device. His rise is halted when his crooked goings-on are exposed. Based on the novel by Adria Locke Langley. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nice Flim
James Cagney shines as a charming but corrupt rural politician trying to deceive the voters. Barbara Hale is great as his sweet wife who is clueless about how dishonest her husband really is. It isn't Cagney's best film, but it is entertaining, and the performances are excellent. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

CAGNEY on top form
Truly one of the greatest of all movie stars and a very underated actor this movie glows with Cagney's talent in his depiciton of the life of Lon Chayney. Unlike so many hollywood bios of the time this move tends to steer away from the usual sanitization of a character and instead confronts the darker side of Chaney, a man beset by torments. Poignant, powerful in it's day with the head on look at how deaf people were treated, and indeed with the tragic aspects of Chayney's first marriage. For me this movie stands the test of time exceptionally well, thanks in no small measure to the performances, notably the conflict between Chaney and his first wife wonderfully played by Dorothy Malone. This is one of the great ones!

CAGNEY gives an all time great performace
No actor of our time comes close to james cagney or bogie of course. Cagney shows his versitily in this drama of the life of Lon Chaney. Cagney is GREAT and this movie will hold your interest through the entire 2 hours nothing drags. You will feel such compassion for lon chaney as the age old truth that money and fame can not bring you happiness is still true today. You will see such suffering from a bad marriage and a wife who didnt even want to bear his son because chaney's parents were deaf and dumb she was afraid that her child would be as well. Later she wants to act again and when that doesnt work out she tries to commit suicide. Obviously she is not fit to be a mother and chaney files for divorce and of course gets it but to his shock the court takes his child away from him since he has no wife. Later a female co-worker and friend who was secretly in love with chaney offers to marry him and he accepts they then get the child back. Of course later in life the mother shows up wanting to see her kid who thought she was dead. This is such a touching and realistic story that is all too common now adays you couldnt write a ficton this dramatic. Watch this movie it deserves 10 stars but dont expect gangsters and action this is a drama.

Ah. The golden days of old Hollywood.
"Man of a Thousand Faces" is a melodramatic vehicle, which allows Cagney to soft-shoe his way through the life and roles of Lon Chaney, famous silent movie actor.

Chaney was born to profoundly deaf parents and this was a major contributor to his success as a silent screen star. His wordless ability to express great and subtle emotions was legendary. Chaney's is best remembered today for his portrayals of grotesquely disfigured humans. He was able to evoke a sympathetic reaction from the audience in his original presentations of Quasimodo and the Phantom of the Opera.

This movie gives Cagney an opportunity to relieve the glory days of vaudeville. Numerous dance numbers find their way into the picture. As well as recreating scenes from many of the movies that Chaney was famous for. Still I can't help but notice that Cagney seems to act like Cagney throughout the picture. The typical tough-guy loner whose motto is "my way or the highway" that we see in so many other films.

The film spends no small amount of time covering Chaney's turbulent first marriage. The main contention between Chaney and his wife in this movie is anger at his not revealing the dark secret about his parents (their deafness). Her anger at this secret and his anger at her rejection of his roots leads to a downward spiral in the marriage. Eventually, Chaney is able to find happiness with an ex-chorus girl and provide the stable home for his son he has always dreamed of.

I enjoyed the movie but would caution you that it is not likely to be taken as a serious biography of this legendary film star.

Lon Chaney's Genius of the Silent Lives Through James Cagney
Lon Chaney made over 150 films from 1913 - 1930. 99.9% of them were silent. He died in 1930 before he could play Universal's "Dracula". Can you imagine that. Instead we had Bela Lugosi get the role and will always be remembered as The Count Dracula.

"Man of a Thousands Faces" is about this remarkable man who was born of deaf parents. From them he learned sign and the unique ability to communicate with great panomimic skills (visual effects for the silent screen).

Summary; This is the life of Lon Chaney (James Cagney) and his Silent Screen genius at work. This movie is considered to be one of the best screen-bios ever produced. Cagney does an amazing job portraying Chaney from using sign, to dance (Cagney won an Oscar in 1940 (Yankee Doodle Dandy) about song and dance man George M. Cohen), acting, master of disguise and his remarkabe contortionistic skills. This films covers his silent film career and his private life. A very enlightening and emotion journey with the "Man of a Thousand Faces". (NOTE - His only son Lon Chaney Jr. became Universal Pictures famous "Wolfman" (1940)).

Chaney was such a Master of Disguise the general public hardly recognized him when ventured out amongst them.

See Lon Chaney is his most famous silent horror classic role as the "Phantom of the Opera" - 1925/1929. (Read my review). Now on remastered DVD.

Good Dvd quality picture and shown in Widescreen (Letterbox) format. This a great film about a great Hollywood talent.

Powerful, but oh, so dated
This was one of my favorite movies as a kid (I'll never forget Cagney knocking that guy down backstage and the revelation that immediately follows). It's still engrossing, but the attitudes it reflects about the deaf back then are absolutely stunning today. It's hard to believe things were ever that bad. I only hope deaf viewers can see past that to the wonderful performance Cagney gives. He's as good as any actor Hollywood ever produced. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too.

Come in and Be Yourself.
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE was based upon William Saroyan's Pulitzer Prize-winning play and was brought about, in part, by a collaboration of the Cagney siblings (James, Jeanne, and William). Except for one brief shot of the Salvation Army singing outside the establishment, the entire movie takes place inside Nick's, a saloon, restaurant, and entertainment palace on the waterfront in San Francisco. James Cagney plays Joe, a man who has a lot of cash and spends his time observing, listening, and helping people and fulfilling his every whim. Wayne Morris plays Tom, Joe's gopher man; Jeanne Cagney plays Kitty, a former "burlesque queen" who falls for Tom; and William Bendix plays Nick. The floating characters at Nick's also include, among others, a lovesick young man, an out of work fellow, a drunk, a cowboy who calls himself "Kit Carson", a pinball wizard, a dancer who is a comedian that has no funny jokes, a police officer, and a couple of socialites.

There really isn't much plot in THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. However, neither the movie nor the play it was based upon are about "plot". There may not seem to be a lot going on, but actually there is. The plot of the story is it's characters. Each person that comes into Nick's has a story and some of them we learn, some of them we don't. However, while listening to each person (just as Joe does) we learn something about them and in the process we discover things about ourselves. THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE is art in it's highest form because it entertains, yet also enlightens.

The quality of this DVD isn't all that bad, especially considering how inexpensive it is to purchase a copy (the Laserlight edition can be purchased for less than $5). The sound is good through most of the film except for the occasional scratch and the picture is great (the one scene where you can't read what is on the piece of paper was filmed that way intentionally because you are not supposed to see what's written on the paper because it's too small).

Overall a good movie well worth the time to watch it.

James Cagney knows your name
(Please note that the DVD version I am reviewing is the Laserlight edition of THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. This budget release pretty much defines the concept of "no-frills".)

Other reviewers have pointed out the fact that this movie skimps on plot and I cannot help but completely agree with that sentiment. But for what the movie lacks in action, it more than makes up for in the presentation of fascinating characters. Each person's story is interesting and unique. And the movie manages to give us enough detail so that we can find these people intriguing, but leaves enough unsaid so that no one overstays their welcome. We're left liking these people and wanting to hear more about them.

Since the characters are at the forefront of this movie, it's certainly a relief to have such splendid actors playing them. The Cagney siblings are wonderful. Jeanne Cagney does a wonderful job at becoming the streetwise blonde who stands up to gangsters and James Cagney is a compelling, gentle enigma. While so many of the roles could have easily fallen into stereotypes, the actors are strong enough to keep them as individuals.

Although I haven't experienced the original play that this film is based upon, I can only imagine that there weren't too many script changes between the stage and the screen. The movie is heavily performance-based, with the interesting material coming from the conversations and the soliloquies. The action is completely centered on a single barroom, as during the entire length of the movie only one short sequence takes place outside the bar's swing doors. Even a fight scene inside the same building occurs off-camera so that all we view are people in one room hollering at the unseen people in another. As some characters leave the action, they are immediately replaced by other people beginning conversations of their own. In fact, if you pay close attention, you'll probably notice that the amount of real time that people spend off-camera isn't nearly long enough to do all the things that they claim to have done in that span.

Fortunately, none of this affects one's enjoyment of the film at all. In fact, it gives the entire production a great sense of the theatrical nature of the performances. Unlike some other translations from play to movie, this one never feels as though it's being limited by the theatre. It retains the trappings and atmosphere of a stage production, while never feeling claustrophobic. What makes for good theatre doesn't always make for a good film (and vice versa), yet it's a testament to the skills of the director and the cast that they manage to make the transition here without a hitch.

The image quality on this Laserlight DVD is perfectly watchable. It's scratchy in a few places, but never so much that it becomes distracting. The picture is a bit bright and slightly washed out, but this is really only a problem in one scene where the audience is expected to read something that's a character has written on a piece of paper. The sound quality is variable, but mostly falls on the good side of variable. As the DVD itself is absolutely dirt cheap, it's well worth putting up with these slight imperfections.

Thin plot, not very interesting, always expecting more!
The other review subject lines hit it on the head: Thin plot, a bar where everyone knows your name.

This movie does not have a very good subject. Is just about a rich man in post WWII era hanging out in a bar and throwing around small amounts of money. Not much of a climax either.

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Marilyn Monroe's first bona fide starring role came in the taut, stripped-down film noir Don't Bother to Knock. She plays a recently institutionalized, none-too-stable babysitter, awkwardly tending a little girl in a Manhattan hotel. Richard Widmark, jilted by the songbird (Anne Bancroft) in the hotel lounge ("The female race is always cheesing up my life," he pouts), puts the make on the lonely blonde in room 809, to his regret. The picture benefits by not being a "Marilyn" movie, but just a good little thriller with, as it happens, a terrific performance by the future superstar. Monroe's childlike distraction eerily suits her rattled character, a misfit who can't distinguish her tragic past from the confusing present. Kudos to Daniel Taradash (From Here to Eternity), whose script contains a collection of tart slang that neatly captures the noir feel--all without leaving the boundaries of the hotel. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Knock Knock...Who's There??? Psycho Marilyn!!!
A taut suspenseful little thriller that has no doubt been an inspiration to the countless "psycho baby-sitter" films, "Don't Bother to Knock" features Marilyn Monroe in a truly terrific performance, playing a truly sad and disturbed character in a truly rare film role. The film benefits from its claustrophobic setting and manages to stay engrossing from start to finish.

Monroe plays Nell, an unstable woman whose uncle, an elevator operator at a posh hotel, manages to get her a one night baby-sitting job, taking care of an eight year old girl. It is evident from the start that Nell is not "all there," but slowly, we get to see just how "not there" she really is, and why. Nell WILL NOT let anything stand in the way of her love for a pilot, played by Richard Widmark, no matter what it takes and who she kills.

Deliberately paced, but fascinating and terrifying, "Don't Bother to Knock" seems way ahead of its time and brilliantly explores the mind of a true psychotic. This is a wonderful character study in one of the few films Monroe didn't play some dumb blonde trying to marry some attractive millionaire. She fully displays her acting potential and manages to be creepy, sexy,and evil, yet makes you feel for her and long for everything to work out.

This is the film for the true Marilyn fan.

Beautiful But Dangerous.....
This review refers to The DVD edition(Diamond Collection/20th Cent Fox)of "Don't Bother To Knock"

This film is a must have for Marilyn completists. From 1952,as a very young and emerging screen idol, she turns in an expert performance, as a woman on the edge, in this psychological drama. It also stars Richard Widmark and Anne Bancroft in her first feature film role.

The beautiful Nel(Monroe) has arrived in New York from Oregon to forget her past. She has had deep psychological problems and has recently been released from an "institution". Uncle Eddie(Elisha Cook Jr.),elevator operator at an established hotel, gets her a job babysitting for some of the guests, after all 'they' did said she was better now! But Marilyn turns out to be the babysitter from hell when her past takes over and she loses control. But even hell can be heavenly when Marilyn Monroe is involved,as she draws you into her spell and captivates you for the entire film.

The film directed by Roy Baker, has some wonderfully shot sequences that are chilling in Black and White.The character development is remarkable. As Nel goes from a quiet babysitter to a dangerous woman, Richard Widmark, is also brillant as his character develops from a cynical snob to a caring human being. It is also obvious, that in this early role, Anne Bancroft had that special something it took for her to become the great star she is today. Jim Backus and Gloria Blondell also add their talents to the supporting cast.Some old romantic tunes, including "How About You" also add greatly to the story.

This film is over 50 years old, but you won't know that by viewing this restored edition. It looks great and may be viewed in DD2.0 surround or the original mono. The special features include a restoration comparison, several trailers for other films from the Diamond Collection and a wonderful still gallery.There are subtitles in English and Spanish.It is presented in the original academy ratio (full screen1.33:1).

So don't forget to always check references and enjoy.....Laurie

Norma Jean fans, read BLONDE
I don't often see books recommended as a companion to a movie, but in this case, I strongly believe Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates, is essential to understanding Norma Jean Baker's transformation to "Marilyn Monroe." Sure, it is a semi-fictional rendering of Baker/Monroe, but it is as spine-tingling a portrait of a cultural icon as one will ever read. (Like the scene in producer Z's office which leads directly to her landing her first major film, "The Asphalt Jungle." I hope that what happened to her is NOT true.) And Oates' analysis of Monroe's acting is dead on. Wish she would do commentary on DVD! (Don Delillo's novel Libra captures Lee Harvey Oswald in a similar vein.)

MARILYN'S GREATEST ACTING & A GREAT FILM
This film was mesmerizing to watch. Richard Widmark was great, as always, but Marilyn's acting was the greatest in the film. She plays a deranged babysitter and when Richard Widmark's character, Jed, goes to her hotel room to catch a little hay-hay with her, he has no idea what/who he is getting himself involved with. The plot unfolds from there and it's a nail biter all the way. The background music is really cool, giving it a film noir touch.

Marilyn Monroe is the perfect babysitter, but she's crazy!
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This is Marilyn Monroe's first dramatic starring role in a motion picture.

The dramatic aspect of this film might seem a bit deep for the young actress at this stage of her career, but by film's end, it is apparent that Monroe can act the part.

Certain scenes in this film are indeed impressive, especially when one considers Marilyn's mostly small film roles up to this point in her career. The fact that Fox studios gave Monroe the part proves that they believed this girl had talent.

I think this film is a great example of young Marilyn's acting abilities. I think anyone would be impressed with her performance in this film.

MMmmmmmarvelous Marilyn! ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Lots of Singing and Dancing
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was released just before the legendary George M. Cohan died from cancer. It was a patriotic movie made during the first year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. The movie was also a musical with lots of singing and dancing - especially by James Cagney. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY should be respected mostly for its music and dancing and not for its story which was about the life of Cohan. Nobody ever credited the film with much accuracy - including Cohan himself.

Cagney considered his role as Cohan to be one of his favorites. It should have been since Cagney began his own show business career as a young hoofer in New York City.

The supporting cast of Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Irene Manning and Rosemary DeCamp was very strong. Cagney's sister Jeanne played the part of Josie Cohan and Frances Langford appeared as a singer. Eddie Foy Jr. made a brief showing as his own real life father, Eddie Foy.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY won Academy Awards for Best Actor (James Cagney), Scoring of a Musical Picture and Sound Recording. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Director (Michael Curtiz), Supporting Actor (Walter Huston), Original Story and Editing. The main competition for Oscars in 1942 came from MRS. MINIVER. Director Michael Curtiz won an Academy Award for CASABLANCA in 1943.

Give My Regards To Cagney
Only 1942 Hollywood could show an aging songwriter stepping in with a parade and being challenged to sing a patriotic song which he wrote. And George M. Cohan wrote quite a few.

James Cagney's Best Actor performance takes place in flashback in the White House as he is summoned to receive a Medal of Honor for his body of work. He tells his bio to President Franklin Roosevelt, whom he is portraying in his show, "I'd Rather Be Right."

Cohan describes his early life in Vaudeville, travelling America with his parents and sister, and how he matures and partners with producer Sam Harris. His ups, downs and true loves weave the well-explained circumstances of many of his 80 plays and 500 hit songs. In particular, "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Mary," "You're A Grand Old Flag," and of course, the rousing WWI anthem, "Over There."

Although Cagney's character is a bit glib and constantly wisecracking, his relationships with family, business associates and competitors are well-defined. And of course, his superb dancing and physical movement may come as a surprise to gangster-movie purists. This is particularly evident in a scene he admittedly ad-libbed near the film's end.

Perhaps with America again at war, a classic film like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is just what we need to enjoy.

Where has our patriotism gone?
I saw this movie for the first time last night w/ my father. He wanted me to see this movie to see the contrast of what people were like in the 40's-50's and how society is today. I'm 23 years old and to be honest with you, I thought that I wouldn't like this movie. As it turns out, I greatly enjoyed it. It was a wonderful story, full of patriotism - it just makes you proud to be in this country. What movies are out that are like this today? None. And that makes me incredibly sad to see such anti-Americanism. For what? If you want to see a movie that puts a fire in your belly and gets your spirit going, go see this movie - you will not be disappointed!

This is a MUST Own
There aren't too many movies that I'd say are pretty near perfect...but this is one of them!

I've seen it a dozen times, and I'm always amazed at how the movie doesn't fail to hold your interest the entire time. It's rousing, it's stirring, it's high energy, all the time!

I've not seen the colorized version, but the black and white is so appropriate to its time, I'm satisfied with the movie as it.

As many reviewers have mentioned, James Cagney is so perfect in this role, you can't imagine anyone else in it! He always considered himself a song-and-dance man, though you wouldn't know it if you were a fan of his many gangster flicks. Fred Astaire turned down the role, if you believe the many stories. And, as much as I love Astaire, the film would have suffered for it. The manic energy Cagney displays in the highlight musical numbers just brings his role to perfection.

If you are looking for a classic, never-to-be-topped movie about a songwriter, Broadway, great, rousing music, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' is your film.

VERY HIGHLY Recommended! One of the top films of all time. (The American Film Institute lists it at 100th place, but it should be moved up much higher!)

Excellent Musical
With gloriously entertaining numbers and top notch direction. Among the best biopics of all time. A great, amazing, brilliant performance from Cagney; and excellent jobs from Walter Huston (Tresure of the Sierra Madre) and Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) who got help in the musical numbers by George M. Cohan himself. Watch for the marvellous performance from Cagney; but the musical numbers are great too. This is a good edition; Warner has been earning great merit in the DVD world lately. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Lots of Singing and Dancing
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was released just before the legendary George M. Cohan died from cancer. It was a patriotic movie made during the first year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. The movie was also a musical with lots of singing and dancing - especially by James Cagney. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY should be respected mostly for its music and dancing and not for its story which was about the life of Cohan. Nobody ever credited the film with much accuracy - including Cohan himself.

Cagney considered his role as Cohan to be one of his favorites. It should have been since Cagney began his own show business career as a young hoofer in New York City.

The supporting cast of Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Irene Manning and Rosemary DeCamp was very strong. Cagney's sister Jeanne played the part of Josie Cohan and Frances Langford appeared as a singer. Eddie Foy Jr. made a brief showing as his own real life father, Eddie Foy.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY won Academy Awards for Best Actor (James Cagney), Scoring of a Musical Picture and Sound Recording. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Director (Michael Curtiz), Supporting Actor (Walter Huston), Original Story and Editing. The main competition for Oscars in 1942 came from MRS. MINIVER. Director Michael Curtiz won an Academy Award for CASABLANCA in 1943.

Give My Regards To Cagney
Only 1942 Hollywood could show an aging songwriter stepping in with a parade and being challenged to sing a patriotic song which he wrote. And George M. Cohan wrote quite a few.

James Cagney's Best Actor performance takes place in flashback in the White House as he is summoned to receive a Medal of Honor for his body of work. He tells his bio to President Franklin Roosevelt, whom he is portraying in his show, "I'd Rather Be Right."

Cohan describes his early life in Vaudeville, travelling America with his parents and sister, and how he matures and partners with producer Sam Harris. His ups, downs and true loves weave the well-explained circumstances of many of his 80 plays and 500 hit songs. In particular, "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Mary," "You're A Grand Old Flag," and of course, the rousing WWI anthem, "Over There."

Although Cagney's character is a bit glib and constantly wisecracking, his relationships with family, business associates and competitors are well-defined. And of course, his superb dancing and physical movement may come as a surprise to gangster-movie purists. This is particularly evident in a scene he admittedly ad-libbed near the film's end.

Perhaps with America again at war, a classic film like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is just what we need to enjoy.

Where has our patriotism gone?
I saw this movie for the first time last night w/ my father. He wanted me to see this movie to see the contrast of what people were like in the 40's-50's and how society is today. I'm 23 years old and to be honest with you, I thought that I wouldn't like this movie. As it turns out, I greatly enjoyed it. It was a wonderful story, full of patriotism - it just makes you proud to be in this country. What movies are out that are like this today? None. And that makes me incredibly sad to see such anti-Americanism. For what? If you want to see a movie that puts a fire in your belly and gets your spirit going, go see this movie - you will not be disappointed!

This is a MUST Own
There aren't too many movies that I'd say are pretty near perfect...but this is one of them!

I've seen it a dozen times, and I'm always amazed at how the movie doesn't fail to hold your interest the entire time. It's rousing, it's stirring, it's high energy, all the time!

I've not seen the colorized version, but the black and white is so appropriate to its time, I'm satisfied with the movie as it.

As many reviewers have mentioned, James Cagney is so perfect in this role, you can't imagine anyone else in it! He always considered himself a song-and-dance man, though you wouldn't know it if you were a fan of his many gangster flicks. Fred Astaire turned down the role, if you believe the many stories. And, as much as I love Astaire, the film would have suffered for it. The manic energy Cagney displays in the highlight musical numbers just brings his role to perfection.

If you are looking for a classic, never-to-be-topped movie about a songwriter, Broadway, great, rousing music, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' is your film.

VERY HIGHLY Recommended! One of the top films of all time. (The American Film Institute lists it at 100th place, but it should be moved up much higher!)

Excellent Musical
With gloriously entertaining numbers and top notch direction. Among the best biopics of all time. A great, amazing, brilliant performance from Cagney; and excellent jobs from Walter Huston (Tresure of the Sierra Madre) and Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) who got help in the musical numbers by George M. Cohan himself. Watch for the marvellous performance from Cagney; but the musical numbers are great too. This is a good edition; Warner has been earning great merit in the DVD world lately. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Lots of Singing and Dancing
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was released just before the legendary George M. Cohan died from cancer. It was a patriotic movie made during the first year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. The movie was also a musical with lots of singing and dancing - especially by James Cagney. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY should be respected mostly for its music and dancing and not for its story which was about the life of Cohan. Nobody ever credited the film with much accuracy - including Cohan himself.

Cagney considered his role as Cohan to be one of his favorites. It should have been since Cagney began his own show business career as a young hoofer in New York City.

The supporting cast of Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Irene Manning and Rosemary DeCamp was very strong. Cagney's sister Jeanne played the part of Josie Cohan and Frances Langford appeared as a singer. Eddie Foy Jr. made a brief showing as his own real life father, Eddie Foy.

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY won Academy Awards for Best Actor (James Cagney), Scoring of a Musical Picture and Sound Recording. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Director (Michael Curtiz), Supporting Actor (Walter Huston), Original Story and Editing. The main competition for Oscars in 1942 came from MRS. MINIVER. Director Michael Curtiz won an Academy Award for CASABLANCA in 1943.

Give My Regards To Cagney
Only 1942 Hollywood could show an aging songwriter stepping in with a parade and being challenged to sing a patriotic song which he wrote. And George M. Cohan wrote quite a few.

James Cagney's Best Actor performance takes place in flashback in the White House as he is summoned to receive a Medal of Honor for his body of work. He tells his bio to President Franklin Roosevelt, whom he is portraying in his show, "I'd Rather Be Right."

Cohan describes his early life in Vaudeville, travelling America with his parents and sister, and how he matures and partners with producer Sam Harris. His ups, downs and true loves weave the well-explained circumstances of many of his 80 plays and 500 hit songs. In particular, "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Give My Regards To Broadway," "Mary," "You're A Grand Old Flag," and of course, the rousing WWI anthem, "Over There."

Although Cagney's character is a bit glib and constantly wisecracking, his relationships with family, business associates and competitors are well-defined. And of course, his superb dancing and physical movement may come as a surprise to gangster-movie purists. This is particularly evident in a scene he admittedly ad-libbed near the film's end.

Perhaps with America again at war, a classic film like "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is just what we need to enjoy.

Where has our patriotism gone?
I saw this movie for the first time last night w/ my father. He wanted me to see this movie to see the contrast of what people were like in the 40's-50's and how society is today. I'm 23 years old and to be honest with you, I thought that I wouldn't like this movie. As it turns out, I greatly enjoyed it. It was a wonderful story, full of patriotism - it just makes you proud to be in this country. What movies are out that are like this today? None. And that makes me incredibly sad to see such anti-Americanism. For what? If you want to see a movie that puts a fire in your belly and gets your spirit going, go see this movie - you will not be disappointed!

This is a MUST Own
There aren't too many movies that I'd say are pretty near perfect...but this is one of them!

I've seen it a dozen times, and I'm always amazed at how the movie doesn't fail to hold your interest the entire time. It's rousing, it's stirring, it's high energy, all the time!

I've not seen the colorized version, but the black and white is so appropriate to its time, I'm satisfied with the movie as it.

As many reviewers have mentioned, James Cagney is so perfect in this role, you can't imagine anyone else in it! He always considered himself a song-and-dance man, though you wouldn't know it if you were a fan of his many gangster flicks. Fred Astaire turned down the role, if you believe the many stories. And, as much as I love Astaire, the film would have suffered for it. The manic energy Cagney displays in the highlight musical numbers just brings his role to perfection.

If you are looking for a classic, never-to-be-topped movie about a songwriter, Broadway, great, rousing music, 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' is your film.

VERY HIGHLY Recommended! One of the top films of all time. (The American Film Institute lists it at 100th place, but it should be moved up much higher!)

Excellent Musical
With gloriously entertaining numbers and top notch direction. Among the best biopics of all time. A great, amazing, brilliant performance from Cagney; and excellent jobs from Walter Huston (Tresure of the Sierra Madre) and Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) who got help in the musical numbers by George M. Cohan himself. Watch for the marvellous performance from Cagney; but the musical numbers are great too. This is a good edition; Warner has been earning great merit in the DVD world lately. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too.

Come in and Be Yourself.
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE was based upon William Saroyan's Pulitzer Prize-winning play and was brought about, in part, by a collaboration of the Cagney siblings (James, Jeanne, and William). Except for one brief shot of the Salvation Army singing outside the establishment, the entire movie takes place inside Nick's, a saloon, restaurant, and entertainment palace on the waterfront in San Francisco. James Cagney plays Joe, a man who has a lot of cash and spends his time observing, listening, and helping people and fulfilling his every whim. Wayne Morris plays Tom, Joe's gopher man; Jeanne Cagney plays Kitty, a former "burlesque queen" who falls for Tom; and William Bendix plays Nick. The floating characters at Nick's also include, among others, a lovesick young man, an out of work fellow, a drunk, a cowboy who calls himself "Kit Carson", a pinball wizard, a dancer who is a comedian that has no funny jokes, a police officer, and a couple of socialites.

There really isn't much plot in THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. However, neither the movie nor the play it was based upon are about "plot". There may not seem to be a lot going on, but actually there is. The plot of the story is it's characters. Each person that comes into Nick's has a story and some of them we learn, some of them we don't. However, while listening to each person (just as Joe does) we learn something about them and in the process we discover things about ourselves. THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE is art in it's highest form because it entertains, yet also enlightens.

The quality of this DVD isn't all that bad, especially considering how inexpensive it is to purchase a copy (the Laserlight edition can be purchased for less than $5). The sound is good through most of the film except for the occasional scratch and the picture is great (the one scene where you can't read what is on the piece of paper was filmed that way intentionally because you are not supposed to see what's written on the paper because it's too small).

Overall a good movie well worth the time to watch it.

James Cagney knows your name
(Please note that the DVD version I am reviewing is the Laserlight edition of THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. This budget release pretty much defines the concept of "no-frills".)

Other reviewers have pointed out the fact that this movie skimps on plot and I cannot help but completely agree with that sentiment. But for what the movie lacks in action, it more than makes up for in the presentation of fascinating characters. Each person's story is interesting and unique. And the movie manages to give us enough detail so that we can find these people intriguing, but leaves enough unsaid so that no one overstays their welcome. We're left liking these people and wanting to hear more about them.

Since the characters are at the forefront of this movie, it's certainly a relief to have such splendid actors playing them. The Cagney siblings are wonderful. Jeanne Cagney does a wonderful job at becoming the streetwise blonde who stands up to gangsters and James Cagney is a compelling, gentle enigma. While so many of the roles could have easily fallen into stereotypes, the actors are strong enough to keep them as individuals.

Although I haven't experienced the original play that this film is based upon, I can only imagine that there weren't too many script changes between the stage and the screen. The movie is heavily performance-based, with the interesting material coming from the conversations and the soliloquies. The action is completely centered on a single barroom, as during the entire length of the movie only one short sequence takes place outside the bar's swing doors. Even a fight scene inside the same building occurs off-camera so that all we view are people in one room hollering at the unseen people in another. As some characters leave the action, they are immediately replaced by other people beginning conversations of their own. In fact, if you pay close attention, you'll probably notice that the amount of real time that people spend off-camera isn't nearly long enough to do all the things that they claim to have done in that span.

Fortunately, none of this affects one's enjoyment of the film at all. In fact, it gives the entire production a great sense of the theatrical nature of the performances. Unlike some other translations from play to movie, this one never feels as though it's being limited by the theatre. It retains the trappings and atmosphere of a stage production, while never feeling claustrophobic. What makes for good theatre doesn't always make for a good film (and vice versa), yet it's a testament to the skills of the director and the cast that they manage to make the transition here without a hitch.

The image quality on this Laserlight DVD is perfectly watchable. It's scratchy in a few places, but never so much that it becomes distracting. The picture is a bit bright and slightly washed out, but this is really only a problem in one scene where the audience is expected to read something that's a character has written on a piece of paper. The sound quality is variable, but mostly falls on the good side of variable. As the DVD itself is absolutely dirt cheap, it's well worth putting up with these slight imperfections.

Thin plot, not very interesting, always expecting more!
The other review subject lines hit it on the head: Thin plot, a bar where everyone knows your name.

This movie does not have a very good subject. Is just about a rich man in post WWII era hanging out in a bar and throwing around small amounts of money. Not much of a climax either.

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Surprise! CLASSIC Film Noir!
100% fun film-noir rollercoaster in which Mickey Rooney plays an amoral mechanic who makes one horrible decision after another, getting himself stuck deeper and deeper in the quicksand of his predicament. The plot is hokey, but so satisfying...it includes a great femme-fatale and a swell part played by Peter Lorre. The photography is top-notch, and the San Francisco boardwalk (nighttime, natch)scenery is wonderful. Rooney is actually very good in this...he makes you root for him even though he acts like a jerk all the way through the picture. If you've ever dug yourself into a well of trouble, you'll really relate to this one! Enjoy!

Mickey Rooneys acting very good as usual but plot weak.
The story line was not up to the standards of a Mickey Rooney film of that era. The story starts off with Rooney oweing $100,00 for a watch and snowballs into a series of crimes that lead to 'murder'. If your not a Mickey Rooney fan save your money and time. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of Bing Crosby's best
This film is a real gas, a brisk, amiable comedy with a sharp script and snappy dialogue. Bing Crosby stars as an unambitous pop music composer who ghostwrites smash hits for a society bandleader who's lost his Muse. When the unscrupulous bandleader (deliciously played by Basil Rathbone) has to hire a new lyricist, and she just happens to be the gal Bing was checking out in the elevator on the way up to Basil's office, well... romance is in the air. Trad jazz trumpeter Wingy Manone adds some sock to the music, while Bing's real-life bandleader, John Scott Thomas has a nice cameo as a show-biz rival. Mary Martin isn't my favorite actress of the era, but she's fine in this role, and the film whizzes along at a pleasant pace. An entirely enjoyable comedy that features Crosby in one of his most cool, cute and urbane phases. Recommended!

Bing is great in this light, fun musical
In "Rhythym on the River", Bing Crosby plays a casual, easy going guy with an unnoticed talent for songwriting; unnoticed because he is a ghostwriter for another songwriterplayed by Basil Rathbone who is basically a has been. Meanwhile, Mary Martin comes along and finds chemistry with the Crosby character and together, they try to gain fame as songwriters. If you like Bing Crosby films, you will doubtless love this film. While it is neither a serious film nor anything close to Crosby's best work, it is certainly worth watching.

p.s.: for those of you who are Carpenters fans, Richard Carpenter got the idea for one of the Carpenters' big hits by watching this film and hearing the title of a fictional song that had been written by Basil Rathbone's character. The song would become a top ten tune for Karen and Richard. In case you are wondering, the song was "Goodbye to Love." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too.

Come in and Be Yourself.
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE was based upon William Saroyan's Pulitzer Prize-winning play and was brought about, in part, by a collaboration of the Cagney siblings (James, Jeanne, and William). Except for one brief shot of the Salvation Army singing outside the establishment, the entire movie takes place inside Nick's, a saloon, restaurant, and entertainment palace on the waterfront in San Francisco. James Cagney plays Joe, a man who has a lot of cash and spends his time observing, listening, and helping people and fulfilling his every whim. Wayne Morris plays Tom, Joe's gopher man; Jeanne Cagney plays Kitty, a former "burlesque queen" who falls for Tom; and William Bendix plays Nick. The floating characters at Nick's also include, among others, a lovesick young man, an out of work fellow, a drunk, a cowboy who calls himself "Kit Carson", a pinball wizard, a dancer who is a comedian that has no funny jokes, a police officer, and a couple of socialites.

There really isn't much plot in THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. However, neither the movie nor the play it was based upon are about "plot". There may not seem to be a lot going on, but actually there is. The plot of the story is it's characters. Each person that comes into Nick's has a story and some of them we learn, some of them we don't. However, while listening to each person (just as Joe does) we learn something about them and in the process we discover things about ourselves. THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE is art in it's highest form because it entertains, yet also enlightens.

The quality of this DVD isn't all that bad, especially considering how inexpensive it is to purchase a copy (the Laserlight edition can be purchased for less than $5). The sound is good through most of the film except for the occasional scratch and the picture is great (the one scene where you can't read what is on the piece of paper was filmed that way intentionally because you are not supposed to see what's written on the paper because it's too small).

Overall a good movie well worth the time to watch it.

James Cagney knows your name
(Please note that the DVD version I am reviewing is the Laserlight edition of THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE. This budget release pretty much defines the concept of "no-frills".)

Other reviewers have pointed out the fact that this movie skimps on plot and I cannot help but completely agree with that sentiment. But for what the movie lacks in action, it more than makes up for in the presentation of fascinating characters. Each person's story is interesting and unique. And the movie manages to give us enough detail so that we can find these people intriguing, but leaves enough unsaid so that no one overstays their welcome. We're left liking these people and wanting to hear more about them.

Since the characters are at the forefront of this movie, it's certainly a relief to have such splendid actors playing them. The Cagney siblings are wonderful. Jeanne Cagney does a wonderful job at becoming the streetwise blonde who stands up to gangsters and James Cagney is a compelling, gentle enigma. While so many of the roles could have easily fallen into stereotypes, the actors are strong enough to keep them as individuals.

Although I haven't experienced the original play that this film is based upon, I can only imagine that there weren't too many script changes between the stage and the screen. The movie is heavily performance-based, with the interesting material coming from the conversations and the soliloquies. The action is completely centered on a single barroom, as during the entire length of the movie only one short sequence takes place outside the bar's swing doors. Even a fight scene inside the same building occurs off-camera so that all we view are people in one room hollering at the unseen people in another. As some characters leave the action, they are immediately replaced by other people beginning conversations of their own. In fact, if you pay close attention, you'll probably notice that the amount of real time that people spend off-camera isn't nearly long enough to do all the things that they claim to have done in that span.

Fortunately, none of this affects one's enjoyment of the film at all. In fact, it gives the entire production a great sense of the theatrical nature of the performances. Unlike some other translations from play to movie, this one never feels as though it's being limited by the theatre. It retains the trappings and atmosphere of a stage production, while never feeling claustrophobic. What makes for good theatre doesn't always make for a good film (and vice versa), yet it's a testament to the skills of the director and the cast that they manage to make the transition here without a hitch.

The image quality on this Laserlight DVD is perfectly watchable. It's scratchy in a few places, but never so much that it becomes distracting. The picture is a bit bright and slightly washed out, but this is really only a problem in one scene where the audience is expected to read something that's a character has written on a piece of paper. The sound quality is variable, but mostly falls on the good side of variable. As the DVD itself is absolutely dirt cheap, it's well worth putting up with these slight imperfections.

Thin plot, not very interesting, always expecting more!
The other review subject lines hit it on the head: Thin plot, a bar where everyone knows your name.

This movie does not have a very good subject. Is just about a rich man in post WWII era hanging out in a bar and throwing around small amounts of money. Not much of a climax either.

A bar where everybody knows you name, circa 1948
"The Time of Your Life," based on the play by William Saroyan, shows us a group of eccentrics who hang out in a San Francisco waterfront bar and philosophize about life. James Cagney plays Joe, a barfly who believes in encouraging everybody to fulfill their dreams. Whether this means encouraging an old man named "Kit Carson" (James Barton) to spin his fanciful tales about the old west or conning Nick (William Bendix), the bartender, into giving Harry (Paul Draper), the vagabond dancer, a part-time job. The film is filled with fine character actors, such as Ward Bond and Broderick Crawford, and including Cagney's sister Jeanne as Kitty Duval and Natalie Schafer, the future Mrs. Howell on "Gilligan's Island," as the Society Lady. Admittedly, this film is not everybody's cup of tea, although Saroyan was particularly pleased with how his play translated to the film, even though the original ending was reshot. This story takes place in a bar that is obviously more reminiscent of "Cheers" than it is a Eugene O'Neill play like "The Iceman Cometh." I would even argue that Cagney's character is one of the least interesting people in the story, although he is certainly an amiable enough fellow. The important thing is that this bar is a nice place to visit for a while. This 1948 film directed by H. C. Potter features photography by James Wong Howe. Oh, and the piano player is really good too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Surprise! CLASSIC Film Noir!
100% fun film-noir rollercoaster in which Mickey Rooney plays an amoral mechanic who makes one horrible decision after another, getting himself stuck deeper and deeper in the quicksand of his predicament. The plot is hokey, but so satisfying...it includes a great femme-fatale and a swell part played by Peter Lorre. The photography is top-notch, and the San Francisco boardwalk (nighttime, natch)scenery is wonderful. Rooney is actually very good in this...he makes you root for him even though he acts like a jerk all the way through the picture. If you've ever dug yourself into a well of trouble, you'll really relate to this one! Enjoy!

Mickey Rooneys acting very good as usual but plot weak.
The story line was not up to the standards of a Mickey Rooney film of that era. The story starts off with Rooney oweing $100,00 for a watch and snowballs into a series of crimes that lead to 'murder'. If your not a Mickey Rooney fan save your money and time. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Knock Knock...Who's There??? Psycho Marilyn!!!
A taut suspenseful little thriller that has no doubt been an inspiration to the countless "psycho baby-sitter" films, "Don't Bother to Knock" features Marilyn Monroe in a truly terrific performance, playing a truly sad and disturbed character in a truly rare film role. The film benefits from its claustrophobic setting and manages to stay engrossing from start to finish.

Monroe plays Nell, an unstable woman whose uncle, an elevator operator at a posh hotel, manages to get her a one night baby-sitting job, taking care of an eight year old girl. It is evident from the start that Nell is not "all there," but slowly, we get to see just how "not there" she really is, and why. Nell WILL NOT let anything stand in the way of her love for a pilot, played by Richard Widmark, no matter what it takes and who she kills.

Deliberately paced, but fascinating and terrifying, "Don't Bother to Knock" seems way ahead of its time and brilliantly explores the mind of a true psychotic. This is a wonderful character study in one of the few films Monroe didn't play some dumb blonde trying to marry some attractive millionaire. She fully displays her acting potential and manages to be creepy, sexy,and evil, yet makes you feel for her and long for everything to work out.

This is the film for the true Marilyn fan.

Beautiful But Dangerous.....
This review refers to The DVD edition(Diamond Collection/20th Cent Fox)of "Don't Bother To Knock"

This film is a must have for Marilyn completists. From 1952,as a very young and emerging screen idol, she turns in an expert performance, as a woman on the edge, in this psychological drama. It also stars Richard Widmark and Anne Bancroft in her first feature film role.

The beautiful Nel(Monroe) has arrived in New York from Oregon to forget her past. She has had deep psychological problems and has recently been released from an "institution". Uncle Eddie(Elisha Cook Jr.),elevator operator at an established hotel, gets her a job babysitting for some of the guests, after all 'they' did said she was better now! But Marilyn turns out to be the babysitter from hell when her past takes over and she loses control. But even hell can be heavenly when Marilyn Monroe is involved,as she draws you into her spell and captivates you for the entire film.

The film directed by Roy Baker, has some wonderfully shot sequences that are chilling in Black and White.The character development is remarkable. As Nel goes from a quiet babysitter to a dangerous woman, Richard Widmark, is also brillant as his character develops from a cynical snob to a caring human being. It is also obvious, that in this early role, Anne Bancroft had that special something it took for her to become the great star she is today. Jim Backus and Gloria Blondell also add their talents to the supporting cast.Some old romantic tunes, including "How About You" also add greatly to the story.

This film is over 50 years old, but you won't know that by viewing this restored edition. It looks great and may be viewed in DD2.0 surround or the original mono. The special features include a restoration comparison, several trailers for other films from the Diamond Collection and a wonderful still gallery.There are subtitles in English and Spanish.It is presented in the original academy ratio (full screen1.33:1).

So don't forget to always check references and enjoy.....Laurie

Norma Jean fans, read BLONDE
I don't often see books recommended as a companion to a movie, but in this case, I strongly believe Blonde, by Joyce Carol Oates, is essential to understanding Norma Jean Baker's transformation to "Marilyn Monroe." Sure, it is a semi-fictional rendering of Baker/Monroe, but it is as spine-tingling a portrait of a cultural icon as one will ever read. (Like the scene in producer Z's office which leads directly to her landing her first major film, "The Asphalt Jungle." I hope that what happened to her is NOT true.) And Oates' analysis of Monroe's acting is dead on. Wish she would do commentary on DVD! (Don Delillo's novel Libra captures Lee Harvey Oswald in a similar vein.)

MARILYN'S GREATEST ACTING & A GREAT FILM
This film was mesmerizing to watch. Richard Widmark was great, as always, but Marilyn's acting was the greatest in the film. She plays a deranged babysitter and when Richard Widmark's character, Jed, goes to her hotel room to catch a little hay-hay with her, he has no idea what/who he is getting himself involved with. The plot unfolds from there and it's a nail biter all the way. The background music is really cool, giving it a film noir touch.

Marilyn Monroe is the perfect babysitter, but she's crazy!
.
This is Marilyn Monroe's first dramatic starring role in a motion picture.

The dramatic aspect of this film might seem a bit deep for the young actress at this stage of her career, but by film's end, it is apparent that Monroe can act the part.

Certain scenes in this film are indeed impressive, especially when one considers Marilyn's mostly small film roles up to this point in her career. The fact that Fox studios gave Monroe the part proves that they believed this girl had talent.

I think this film is a great example of young Marilyn's acting abilities. I think anyone would be impressed with her performance in this film.

MMmmmmmarvelous Marilyn! ... Read more