#100: Yankee Doodle Dandy and a Jack & Coke
In summer of 2015, we cut the cord on cable, kicking off six months of series binge-watching across a multitude of platforms, from Amazon to Netflix to HBO. As we rounded into 2016, the age old question of “What do you want to watch tonight?” had started to test the both of us on a daily basis. So we made the New Year’s resolution to watch the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time in order from 100 to 1. We’ll be reviewing each one as we go, drinking a smidge along the way, and eating with the theme when the mood strikes. I hope you’ll join us!
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Released: 1942
Starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie
Running Time: 126 minutes
Tagline: Based on the story of George M. Cohan with the Greatest of all his Great Music
Summary: The story of George M. Cohan, from his start in vaudeville as part of his family’s act to his rise as a Broadway star to his recognition by the President of the United States for his contributions to American culture.
What We’re Drinking: The most American of cocktails, Jack & Coke
I was looking forward to starting our Films after Five adventure, but I would be lying if I said that Yankee Doodle Dandy was high on the list of films I couldn’t wait to see. But here we are, and if we stop at every film that we aren’t looking forward to, we will never make it. So off we go…
First off, the most unbelievable thing about this movie is that it’s a true story. It’s a biography of George M. Cohan, who was this epic man of Broadway for over four decades. He essentially wrote, produced, directed, and starred in over 50 musicals from 1900-1940. He wrote some of the most famous All-American songs, including “Over There,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and, of course, “Yankee Doodle Boy.” Those are some pretty major songs of the patriotic canon, so hats off to you, George Cohan. You seem like a national treasure and I’m slightly embarrassed I didn’t know who you were before this movie.
The other unbelievable thing about this movie is James Cagney. As it turns out, Cagney started out as a singing and dancing man, before he became gangster personified in his most famous roles. It seemed kind of weird to watch an actor that I’ve only known as a thug type jumping and singing all over the stage, but he wasn’t bad. He was no Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire, but he seemed to get through it ok. I’m not sure it was Best Actor worthy, but the 1942 Academy disagreed and gave it to Cagney anyway.
Like all musicals of this time period, we had to have an awkward blackface number where the whole Cohan clan got up on stage and sang in the makeup. I realize this is a product of the time when this movie was made, but holy moly is it awkward now. Hard to believe no one stood up at the time and said that maybe this wouldn’t always be a cool thing to do on stage.
Overall Rating: 6 Out of 10
Drink Recipe: In honor of George M. Cohan and his all American ways, we are drinking the most American of cocktails, the Jack & Coke
Ingredients:
2 oz Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
10 oz Coca-Cola Classic
4-5 Ice cubes
Lime wedge for garnish
Directions: Combine Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola with ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge. Sip slowly and savor the fact that you’re a patriot!
Next up: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
