James Cagney AFI Life Achievment Award: Show Open

The show open for the 2nd AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To James Cagney (1974).
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[@wendyqallab6906]

How could you not love him? Simply the best.

[@2GunRock]

When you see the room filled with so many legendary actors and actresses, it's important to understand that when this event was held most of the people in that room were raised on Cagney & Bogart and they idolized James Cagney.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Hey, Rocky did yah turn yellah when you went to the chair ?

[@2GunRock]

@@ricardocantoral7672 Nah, that was all an act for the kids ;-)

[@philiphalpenny9761]

A newspaper columnist covering this event stated that, this is the only place where John Lennon & Mick Jagger, don't stand out as main focus of attention for once. Everywhere you look here there are mythical legends. What greater testament to the multifaceted appeal of Cagney, than the fact that so much stellar talent convened for this one special night?

[@scottb2737]

His intelligence, character, upbringing and vaudeville were among the things that made him such a wonderful actor.

[@Jolson1950]

Cagney was the greatest screen actor. We'll never see his like again

[@johnprovince5304]

Jolson1950 I've always placed him and Jack Lemmon as #1 and #2.

[@virghammer1]

Agreed.

[@GeorgetteBu]

I am 65 years old and I still get chill bumps watching James Cagney strut down the isle at this event in his honor.

[@davidrobbio9816]

I wonder who was escorting him down those steps ? It looked like Henry Mancini ?

[@kamuelalee]

Wow, so many actors of the Old and New Hollywood in attendance and there to honor the original Hollywood bad boy actor, James Cagney.

[@davidrobbio9816]

The drum roll is nice build up to the second they open that door and I wonder what Mr. Cagney was thinking when he saw all those infamous people standing and clapping in his honor ...

[@bruceapar398]

What is remarkable about this footage is seeing the biggest names in Hollywood -- John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas, George C. Scott, Ronald Reagan -- with starstruck expressions on their faces because the star of stars -- Mr. James Cagney -- has entered the room. He is as immortal as they come.

[@123abcdef3]

Orson Welles called him the greatest actor on screen. That proably says it all. He must've been a true legend to have so many truly great iconic stars of the 20th century from Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra to Ronald Reagan, John Wayne, Bob Hope come and honor him because they truly admired him.

[@substitute91]

Everyone here in the ceremony was and still is a legend of his/her own. They were classy, they were real talented, and they are still very much well respected at least, by myself and i miss them all deeply.

[@LordofDublin4]

Cagney was king in my house when I was a little boy a long time ago. Mom and dad loved him. And he will always be my favourite actor ! There's no one in Hollywood today that even remotely compares to him. What a talent, what a beautiful gentleman he was !

[@patg912]

I so feel ya Bro!!!,,,1 am on the east coast on a Sunday night, staying up to watch White Heat!!!!,,,one word for Mr Cagney,,,,CLASS!!!

[@shaunbeer4686]

Supremely put.

[@shanke300]

Mr Cagney...greatest actor ever. l All the stars in the universe are in one room. Awesome sight.

[@facetina]

This guy is a national treasure.

[@andrewirving1963]

A wonderful actor. One of a kind and a joy to watch ... Total legend.

[@LordofDublin4]

What a great night for a true legend ! And the best of the best ever paid tribute. John Wayne, Bob Hope, Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Charlton Heston , Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Jack Lemon, Kirk Douglas, Danny Kaye, George Segal, and on & on. The Hollywood of today - Ben Affleck, Clooney, Pitt, and the others couldn't hold a candle to them. Not even close.

[@pjeng1]

People today have far more choices for entertainment due to internet, etc., and therefore the Hollywood and its younger generation movie stars can no longer be as glorious and dominant as the old days. Computer special effects, etc. take place of true great acting skills required in many movies today and no good actors are really needed any longer in many instances.

[@patriciamckeown8318]

It's near heartbreaking watching... but such a wonderful man. X

[@corneliussiahaan4350]

I watched almost all AFI LAA ceremonies, and surely this James Cagney's one is the best, most crowded, most cheerful of all that I watch. Bette Davis may come 2nd, and then Meryl Streep. So many actors and celebrities are there, and you can feel the passion, the roars, the genuine smiles and respects all the audiences gave to Mr. Cagney. Even Mick Jagger and John Lennon, the front-men of perhaps the most popular bands a t the time paid a tribute. The decision to pick him as the 2nd recipient by AFI must certainly based on how popular and respected James Cagney was by his Hollywood peers. If it was not late John Ford's health condition, Cagney might be the 1st recipient of AFI LAA.

[@ubroberts5541]

His heart would be broken if he saw what’s going on today in our great nation.

[@MrImiller07]

When James Cagney entered the ballroom, a roar went up from the assembled film luminaries; Cagney hadn't been on a sound stage for 13 years and the affection was palpable. Look at the icons, past and present: Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, John Wayne, Bob Hope, George C. Scott, Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, Danny Kaye, Kirk Douglas, all looking young and great. This was the most memorable of the AFI Life Achievement Awards; Cagney was articulate and moving, the tributes were heartfelt.

[@virgil227]

and mick jagger!

[@davidrobbio9816]

And Amen to that beautiful comment ❤

[@zebra3over]

I have this on cassette tape! Before video, I use to tape Jimmy Cagney movies on cassette and listen to them all the time and could pretty much recite whole movies. Cagney was one of my favorites and what a class act! It would be nice to have this on DVD. Those were the days when stars were stars and had style and class and real talent. They just don't make them like that anymore. RIP Mr. Cagney, you are greatly missed.

[@Tifflet]

He's a yankee doodle dandy, such a fitting and warm salute to this legend from a roomful of such wonderful talent. Noticed the late great Steve McQueen behind Mr Cagney from around 2:41. Also spotted Paul Newman 1:48 Thank you so much for posting.

[@dermotkelly9524]

The best ever... And a great Irishman.

[@dorothyaguilar5639]

The best of the best Bless James Cagney was and still is my favorite of all time. May his soul rest in peace and comfort of the Lord. 🍃😇🍃

[@stephaniestanley8041]

Dorothy your message brought me to tears. An extraordinary man. Sometimes I watch his dance in Dandy for inspiration.

[@andyhowlett2231]

Wow, what an entrance, and such joy and respect for the man. I wasn't keen on Cagney in his archetypal gangster roles, but give him something with more thought and depth and he'd give you lessons in how to act and how to deliver a line. What a guy.

[@mgwilliams1000]

Cagney and also EG Robinson. Two of my favorite perfomers. And both had such rich lives off the screen. I have to watch myself at times or I'll spend entire nights untill dawn watching any of their films.

[@roberttriulzi]

Nothing is left to be said when say the words acting and James Cagney in the same sentence as every will know you have seen and watched one of the best actor that God put on this planet for all of who have had enough years in their to have seen some of the most powerful movies and extraordinary talent ever to be seen on a movie screen.

[@wendyqallab6906]

Watching this I remember why I loved him so much.

[@hectorsalcido4106]

Cagney= Legend! One of the greatest ever.

[@robertmiller6876]

Orson Welles considered James Cagney the greatest male actor in cinema history. I agree. How could I argue with Orson Welles?

[@robertmiller6876]

Actress? Bette Davis.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

@@robertmiller6876 Kubrick and Brando viewed Cagney in a similar way. Orson, Kubrick, and Brando were all geniuses at this moviemaking stuff. I'm not gonna argue with them. Cagney is the best!!

[@L0r3n2]

So many heavy hitters and heavyweights in this room. Wow

[@dorothyaguilar5639]

A true ICON of a man , such a brilliant man. R.l.P James Cagney 😇🕊🥀🍃

[@edwinrodeo]

With all of his accomplishments, I can’t put into words. Such an incredible talent. 😊

[@mogg34y]

Wow Steve McQueen , Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman in the same room. They all grew up in the 30s in Cagneys heyday he was an idol to them.

[@virghammer1]

So wonderful @3:00 when he honors us with a small, gracious and acknowledging dance - and his little sister Jeanne there, joyfully laughs! 💚💚💚💚💚💚

[@virghammer1]

I don’t know how many times I’ve watched just that one part… Well… I was just his magnificent speech .. probably TOO too many times, at this point !

[@NYVoice]

They had talked about Michael J Fox playing him way back when. But you really can't put a written script to his life. The truth is much more fascinating. A true American icon.

[@virghammer1]

Wisely put, NY Voice!

[@TickleSalty]

The most versatile actor to ever grace the screen.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

Cagney is the best of all-time.

[@andywerner838]

1st movie I saw him in was mister Roberts. Such a good actor

[@Jackinbarr]

The story is that so much of Hollywood was there that night that if a bomb had gone off, it would have set the entertainment industry back fifty years, let alone the presidential election of 1980 and the last twenty years of the twentieth century and beyond. All were there to honor a true legend, Mr James Francis Cagney.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

Rightfully so. He's the best of all-time.

[@grangeender1]

Legend - Fact! The most giantest of the giantest. The biggerest of the biggerest. Bigger even than Bogey.

[@lizzyallan9665]

Oh my god, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Mick Jagger, Charlton Heston, Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra etc etc etc, just keep spotting them - all in one room, never again to repeat itself, a real Kodak moment!

[@virgil227]

Lizzy Allan and jason miller actor fom the movie "the exorcist"(1973). i got the full show on dvd.

[@atonyrome]

Lizzy Allan and John Lennon!

[@philiphalpenny3783]

@tommy gunnor Yes, the title credits only mentioned the speakers that night but everyone seemed to be there...Groucho Marx, Fred Astaire, James Stewart, Jagger, Lennon...on& on...

[@davidrobbio9816]

@@philiphalpenny3783and the late great Johnny Carson was there

[@Tifflet]

yup the music is from Yankee Doodle Dandy, and I just noticed watching again, when it is about to show Steve McQueen, the one and only Mick Jagger is standing next to Ali Macgraw

[@faithycoins]

Thank you AFI for putting up all these memories for free!! I'll be making that donation right away to do my part to keep them up. Thanks again and please keep it up! Regards!! :)

[@100Singers]

The age of immortal actors ...

[@scottmoore1614]

John Wayne and Mick Jagger in the same room? That’s amazing!

[@ChristianDoig]

Love this. I want the full unabridged show, please, as well as the other ones!

[@robertmiller6876]

Yes, please. The whole program should be on You Tube.

[@patriciasullivan3908]

When stars were stars....

[@mikser]

He was of Irish and Norwegian descent. Cagney is an Irish name .O Caigne in the Irish tongue. His Irish descent is clearly on his father's side. So is it such a big deal if we also claim him as one of ours? Pat O'Brien his lifelong friend described himself as an Irish show off. I have American relations, Irish Americans. proud to be American but Irish too.

[@mikser]

A salute to a great Irishman and American.

[@brosans1868]

First big break for Cagney? William A. Wellman, director, gave him the lead role in Public Enemy, 1931, when he was initially cast in a lesser role and the rest is HISTORY!

[@DRM-nb1fg]

Wellman deserves credit for realizing he cast the guys in the wrong roles and changing it, instead of being stubborn about it. But also goes to show how undeniable Cagney's charisma and talent was.

[@williamdmason9375]

As We Say In Scotland....Wha's Like James Cagney....Naebody!....Slangevar jimmie.

[@kevincrashkelly]

I post this on 4th of July.....and say to all of you....all you have to do is watch all the great stars clapping to Yankee Doodle Dandy......that right there is great stuff.

[@MrImiller07]

When Cagney retired from film acting in 1961 after playing the lead for Billy Wilder in "One, Two, Three" he had numerous opportunities to return to movies in prominent roles- George Cukor offered him the Oscar winning role as Audrey Hepburn's father in his Best Picture adaptation of "My Fair Lady" and Francis Coppola offered him the Meyer Lansky based role in "The Godfather Part II'. Cagney resisted both roles. He did return to the screen in 1980 on the recommendation of his doctors to appear in "Ragtime" and he was acclaimed, but his deteriorating health prevented him from acting after a television movie with Art Carney a few years later.

[@mrbillyb1966]

MrImiller07 1....2....3..... was absolutely hilarious.

[@patg912]

One word to describe James Cagney,,,, CLASS,,,,,,,,PURE HARDCORE CLASS!!,,,,ok so it turned into 3,,,,he deserves it

[@Bushwacker-mb6hw]

My Parents were there that night so their fav night of all time

[@lala-gj4oo]

such a little man with such immense talent. rest in peace jimmy.

[@carlosaliaga9718]

Clint eastwood....fue un ejemplo para mi, llegue a moldear mi caracter al de Harry el sucio....y un ejemplo de vida el Maestro cagney....

[@Mandy.Corcoran]

Amazing :') I want to see the whole thing!

[@frisco21]

Epic swagger at 1:30.

[@davidrobbio9816]

I am surprised that I am the first to comment that the “King of Late Night” at the time is also there ...when the camera does the first sweep of the audience after Mr.Cagney makes his entrance you will see him sitting there ...

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Carson?

[@davidrobbio9816]

@@philiphalpenny3783 yes Johnny Carson if you look closely at the beginning when the camera pans across the audience you will see him sitting down and poking his head around to get a glimpse of Cagney walking into the ballroom

[@davidrobbio9816]

@@philiphalpenny3783 I also posted a question on another Carson show from his 1973 anniversary show when Dean Martin made a “surprise” appearance... see if you can figure that answer out it is a mystery to me ...

[@philiphalpenny3783]

@@davidrobbio9816 There is a clip of The Johnny Carson Show a few days after the Cagney salute where Johnny thanks Chuck Heston for his hosting duties that night...another edition of Carson's show from 1973 where Kirk Douglas & Johnny wax lyrical about their affection for Cagney. Shame Jim never did any of the major U.S. TV talk shows. KZbin is a wonderful resource for older interviews with great raconteurs like Orson Welles...

[@davidrobbio9816]

@@philiphalpenny3783 I have looked at this well over 50 times I can’t believe the class and star power in that room ... however I didn’t see the orchestra playing that great instrumental “Yankee Doodle Dandy”...maybe it was behind the stage or below it but it was quite loud as soon as he made his entrance

[@edwardmitro8516]

You know - if a bomb dropped in that place that evening - Hollywood would have ceased to exit - such an outpouring of love and respect from SOOOO many stars in the audience - Cagney deserved every bit of it!

[@peterraymond8470]

I wouldn't have recognized George Segal so young and skinny. I didn't know how old this was until they introduced "Governor" Ronald Reagan and then John Wayne. Wow!!

[@westfield90]

God I miss those days of America. Values, patriotism and class. Instead of the crude ego filled unhinged so called stars of today

[@josephcarpenter6921]

Jimmy Boyo from Stanfordville Always

[@raymondsteen5316]

Once it comes to James Cagney gangster films like "Angels With Dirty Faces", "Public Enemy ", " The Roaring 20's" or " Each Dawn I Die ", I say " White Heat" tops 'em all.

[@philiphalpenny3783]

Each Dawn I Die...what a great name for a prisoner film...sure beats the baffling Shawshank Redemption!

[@doudou1659]

james cagney james cagney james cagney james cagney ...... à l'infini !

[@spockboy]

Funny how some people look completely unimpressed but John Wayne, Paul Newman, George C Scott, Charlton Heston and Clint Eastwood are grinning like little boys. Says a lot.

[@wendyqallab6906]

A humble great man.

[@HCShannon]

@clsarashimmer He came with John Lennon and Lennon's misstress May Pang!

[@joep8787]

You'd have thought Cagney wrote the song "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy". The problem with most biopics is that the actor doesn't measure up to the character. In Cagney's case, Cagney was more charismatic than George M. Cohan.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

"my god...what an act to follow" said George M Cohan after seeing Cagney venerate him on screen in 1942. That would , i feel, have meant more to Jim than the Oscar he won!

[@tony.bickert]

A legend among legends.

[@elindio2968]

What a Legend...R.I.P.

[@billycharles]

Back when Hollywood had class, style and loved America

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

A better time, when liberals and conservatives could sit together and enjoy each others company.

[@LordofDublin4]

Thank you ! So very, very true.

[@virghammer1]

My favorite actor of all time. BAR - None. ❤❤❤❤. Thanks ALWAYS, 🌍 🌎 🌏 ✌🏽 🙏🏼 miraculous Janes C! ☘️ 🕺 🎥 ⭐️ Though I can’t understand why the heck Jack L. Warner wasn’t there - he didn’t pass away till 4 years after this …- ?- en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_L._Warner. Anyone know ?? 🤔 as JC says there: “… We’re older now … and full of understanding…”

[@josephcarpenter6921]

He is it

[@DRM-nb1fg]

The best of all-time

[@jamesrasco6031]

James Cagney

[@oscarmilet1661]

The great James Cagney. By the way, when was the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award was given to John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Robert Mitchum, Charlton Heston, Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone?. ....

[@afahags7324]

سوبر استار السينما وملك الشباك الاسطوره الرهيب جيمس كاجني

[@howardweinstein1324]

Hollywood royalty . A LEGEND!

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

❤

[@ryanellis4474]

Show more of the clip You made me sit through an ad for the intro‽ Hand rubbing shysters…

[@TATO.111]

Какие люди в голливуди.

[@frankiebowie6174]

There are a few true American heroes from Hollywood in those days. Jimmy Cagney was one, Marlene Dietrich was another. Jimmy Stewart. I’m speaking as a progressive liberal.

[@PatriciaM64]

THIS is what is missing in America in 2023...AMERICAN PATRIOTISM! thanks to barry and joey.

[@sherry9284]

🥰🥰🥰

[@michaeldriscoll5085]

when Hollywood mattered

[@mikser]

Oh hold on, I've just checked your channel. I see the angle you're coming from all too clearly. Just enjoy the video and good luck to you.

[@TheLukeMonster]

@LordBicen I've no doubt of DiCaprio's acting talent, but he's literally 7 inches taller than Cagney was. I think that's pushing it a bit too far, because to simulate the relative height to his co-stars, everyone else would have to wear lifts. It would be easier to find an equally talented but shorter actor.

[@roberttriulzi]

Below please add to my comments. "actors" "has put" "lives" into my commentary.

[@LordBicen]

@NYVoice Di Caprio looks like him though

[@armetaleluster]

These were real movie stars, not the scum of today.

[@MrImiller07]

Steve McQueen, bearded and standing behind Cagney with Ali MacGraw, pales by comparison to Cagney in his prime. He had tremendous range, as evidenced by his work in Yankee Doodle Dandy, singing and dancing with extraordinary proficiency; White Heat, chilling as a killer; Man Of A Thousand Faces, great as Chaney; and One, Two, Three- Hysterically funny under Wilder's direction.

[@DRM-nb1fg]

The best of all-time, and a bunch of people in that room knew it.

[@JLNeis]

This is when a STAR was a STAR and that meant to them and their audience. So many multi talented stars its unbelievable.

[@dannyhmmcup]

Too many legends, too many films. I'd need a week of talking with each of them. James Cagney, John Wayne, Steve Mcqueen and Paul Newman, would be a start, but I recon I'd get a shot in the mouth by at least 2 of those legends 😂

[@alvaropelayo8084]

The following year should have been honored John Wayne, but AFI....

[@HuasoPodrido]

What the fuck, no Medical Center!!!

[@davidrobbio9816]

That is one of the most classic comments posted here …so funny

[@viddrome]

@HuasoPodrido LOL

[@haroldjameson7348]

And good luck to Iran, as they have Russia and China supporting them 100%.

[@mikser]

Really don't know what that signifies. I'm not interested in getting into this trivia. Incidentally the term Irish American is well documented as is African American. I don't question your education but really are you serious?? Anyway as I say peace and goodwill to all mankind.

[@alexxemak]

@grangeender1 a better talent, but not bigger than bogie

[@robertmiller6876]

Wrong!