The Potters Herald

The Story of Geo. M. Cohan The History of Show Business in "Yankee Doodle Dandy"

Back in the 19th century show business was a bit different. When a touring company of vaudevillians, or a regular show would hit a small town, there would be a parade.

This is a parade given by the Daniel Boone Company on its tour through the middle west, the time --1887. George M., aged 9, is on the donkey. He was the only one of the company who could induce the animal to move.

George M. Cohan with Sam Harris, the astute Broadway team which rolled up one hit after another. Theirs was a partnership formed with just a handshake and between them they entertained the nation for well over a decade.

This is a shot that shows Cohan at his typical, insouciant best. A scene from one of his many shows, derby, cane, raffish Irish grin --and a pretty girl. Those were the props that endeared him to millions.

The film's Mr. and Mrs. George M. Cohan. Joan Leslie and Jimmy Cagney in an authentic copy of the theatrical mannerisms of the past. When Cohan gave permission to Warners to make the film, one of his conditions was that Cagney should play the role.

One year later the Cohans added a violin-playing bit to the act. George M., at ten, had all the poise in the world and was beginning to be a hit with audiences. He could play the violin in any position, including standing on his head.

This is the movie Georgie, with shillelagh and costume, a breath of 'ould Erin'. Henry Blair plays Cohan at this stage of his life, and was chosen on a basis of resemblance to both Cohan and Cagney. Henry had to learn to play the violin for this role.

More than 20 years later Congress gave belated recognition to Cohan for these songs. The above picture shows President Roosevelt presenting the actor with a gold medal for "Over There" and "You're A Grand Old Flag." The presentation was made to Cohan in 1940.

Cohan tried to enlist in the first world war -but was rejected. His contributions to that struggle, in addition to selling great amounts of Liberty Bonds, were tremendously important, from a morale standpoint. In this scene from the movie Frances Langford and Cagney entertain the soldiers at an army camp with Cohan songs.

The "Four Cohans" - vaudeville headliners in the days when vaudeville was a living, breathing thing and the backbone of the entertainment world. The movies were an Edison dream and the radio wasn't even a dream. That's Papa Jerry on the left, Josie, who was a year younger than George, George and Ma Nellie.

And the movie's "Four Cohans." Josie, left, is played by Jeanne Cagney, Jimmy's sister, which ensured a good family resemblance. Jimmy appears as Cohan for the first time in the movie. Walter Huston and Rosemary DeCamp are the parent Cohans.

The cinema version of Miss Templeton is rather streamlined, as can be seen from the above picture. The young lady is Irene Manning, known to radio audiences as Hope Manning. Miss Manning's lovely soprano voice makes its debut in "Yankee Doodle Dandy." You'll be seeing her, for as a result of this film, Miss Manning has been assigned to two others.

This is the scene in the film where the song, "You're A Grand Old Flag," is sung. It is a rousing patriotic climax, conceived by the "man who was born on the 4th of July with a flag in his hand." The foursome behind Cagney are Jeanne Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston and Rosemary DeCamp.