The published screenplay for Yankee Doodle Dandy, part of a series of Warner Bros. scripts, has a lot of great background on the show. I think Cagney's patriotism was in question, which is why he wanted the part.
"March" is on a song list that says it is by the company. So I imagine there were lyrics, and I can't imagine they were very sensitive lyrics.
I've only seen Cohan in The Phantom President, but it has a scene of his dancing style, which Cagney nails in the I'd Rather Be Right scene. |
