It's strange that Cagney is widely loved for his gangster persona, and I can't understand it because he hams it so much that it just feels like a self-parody for modern viewers. People have weird opinions (John Wayne? wtf) so that's not what I find strange. What I find strange is that the only time he shows any real chops, it's his lighter, comedic stuff.

I don't like Cagney that much... BUT I like the idea of Cagney, I like his persona. Gung-ho patriotism bugs me... BUT the patriotism here is presented in such a vague manner that it didn't bother me. And I don't care much for biopics... BUT it does have a breezy sense of fun. Cohan's songs don't ring my bells... BUT they're not terrible either. There's nothing brilliant about this movie... BUT there are some terrific little moments. I didn't love this film... BUT it was fairly entertaining.

Great show.

This fully realized example of the Classical Hollywood style is also a flawless piece of jingoism--if such a thing be possible. It works because it presents patriotism as a form of theater and theater as a form of patriotism, both admirable for the virtues of confidence, energy and sincerity--qualities perfectly embodied in the rich performance of James Cagney as George M. Cohan. (The fact that we were fighting Hitler at the time helps a little too.)

A largely fictionalized biopic about an entertainer that is adequately entertaining. Cagney has to carry this one on his shoulders, and does a decent job of it.

This role is different than the usual ones James Cagney plays. Cagney is very good in the lead role, he is a joy to watch for the entire film. I would recommend this film if you are a fan of Cagney's or a fan of old musicals.

James Cagney delivers one of the greatest performances in any movie I've seen.He sings, dances and acts his way through this film effortlessly.The musical numbers where great and the story was well done.

Cagney is great, but everything else is somewhat mediocre.

Okay, so Cagney can tap dance... Forgettable.

Cagney is phenomenal in both the dramatic and musical scenes, dancing wildly at one moment and evoking quiet sorrow in another. But the story feels too hokey. It might just be my modern cynical sensibilities, but there never was any real tension - it was relentless encomium and saccharine optimism. Though it came out a year after Citizen Kane, it feels decades older than that other sprawling biopic. Given Yankee's WW2 context, it's not a fair comparison - but I probably won't watch this again.

Not bad but _The Seven Little Foys_ is actually better

This is a great, ultra-patriotic musical about a great American music writer. James Cagney puts on the best performance of his career and he's not even shooting people with a tommy gun, he's tap dancing. Great movie.

Cagney puts on an astounding show in this great film.

All these points are for Cagney. He might deserve 100.

Mediocre attempt to mix drama, musical and patriotism where each aspect takes away from the others. The overarching story is interesting but it's predictable and drawn out and the musical numbers just cut the flow of the film, although they're not bad on their own.