James Cagney: Top of the World

This is a retrospective of the career of James Cagney along with a bit of a biography thrown in to the mix. If you are looking more for a biography, this isn't the film to see. Like a typical Turner Classics production, it is top-notch in quality and quite watchable. The film consists of narration by Michael J. Fox, a few interviews (though, unfortunately, by 1992 most associated with Cagney were dead--so the interviews were more limited than in many films), some audio clips of Cagney and film clips. Naturally, the film tended to focus on his career at Warner Brothers--as he made most of his films there and because TCM owns the prints of the originals. However, his appearances in films by First National and other studios were included as well.

I have only two complaints. One is a minor one, and that's having Fox do the narration. Other than being a short actor (like Cagney), I couldn't see the connection. Usually, there is some reason why a certain actor or actress is chosen to narrate--such as their past association with the subject of the retrospective or similarity of roles. Fox, on the other hand, didn't seem to have any connection other than having briefly met him. Not a serious problem--just an odd choice. Second, and this is more serious, is that the film is only 46 minutes long--so it makes it all a bit superficial. I would have liked more depth--making the show seem a little less sketchy in places.

Still, being James Cagney, a very electrifying actor, any sort of film about him is exceptionally interesting and worth seeing.

"James Cagney: Top of the World" is a documentary about the versatile star who could punch you out and then, if necessary, dance over your grave. He is remembered today primarily as a tough guy, but he did many musicals, including "Yankee Doodle Dandy," for which he won an Oscar, and "Footlight Parade." Hosted by Michael J. Fox, the documentary includes interviews with friends and coworkers: Jack Lemmon, Mae Clarke, Pat O'Brien, A.C. Lyles, Cagney's daughter, and others. Clips are shown from many of his films: "Public Enemy," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "White Heat," "A Midsummer's Night Dream," etc., and chronicles the volatile relationship Cagney had with Jack Warner. It also covers Cagney's real love: his farm in Martha's Vineyard, his painting, and his love of horses, all of which he was afforded the opportunity to have and do thanks to the movies.

Author Harold J. Kennedy tells a story in "No Pickle, No Performance" about a small role he had where he burst through a door and announced some big news to Cagney in a film. When they rehearsed it, Cagney was on a bed, very lethargic, just muttering the lines. Kennedy was not prepared for the actual filming, when Cagney jumped up, grabbed him by the collar, and shouted. He was a man who knew how to preserve his energy.

I had a couple of problems with this documentary. One is that there is nothing of his marvelous performance in "Love Me or Leave Me," and, the biggest omission, not enough of the speech he gave when he was honored by the American Film Institute. I remember that speech well - it was beautiful, about the definition of art, and thanking people who helped him through the hard times -- and in saying that, he nearly broke down. It would have been a wonderful addition to this.

In Cagney's day, people followed the stars no matter what. My father, a boy at that time, went to see Midsummer's Night Dream because Jimmy Cagney was in it, and he never missed a Jimmy Cagney film. He kept his fans entertained for many years, but when he was ready to bow out, he did, leaving a great legacy.

As an aside, I saw a contestant on Jeopardy who said he was working in a restaurant when a man wearing an old raincoat came in. He said, "It was James Cagney, and he was the sweetest man I ever met."

This wonderful documentary written by Bob Waldman, was presented recently on TCM. This biographical work is a magnificent way to be introduced to a man who was one of the most popular American actors of his generation.

James Cagney's life and work are examined for us by Mr. Waldman and the team behind this production. We get to know a bit more about the man, his personality, and his legacy. Mr. Cagney reigned supreme in the gangster movies of the 1930s, in which he projected a larger than life figure because of his charisma. The camera obviously loved this man, who was so versatile he could do anything, as proved by his many movies.

The choice of material by way of film clips give us an impression of the range of this actor. There are some Hollywood personalities that worked with James Cagney who tell different anecdotes of what Mr. Cagney was really like. Thus, the accounts given by Mae Clarke, Jack Lemmon, Virginia Mayo and Pat O'Brien illuminate on the character of the man.

The narration by Michael J. Fox serves the documentary well. "James Cagney, Top of the World" is required viewing for film fans that really appreciate movies.

MICHAEL J. FOX is the host for a nice tribute to JAMES CAGNEY that examines how he first came to Hollywood with nobody thinking he had too many prospects, being a mere 5'6" and not considered leading man material. Then he did some impressive gangster movies and he was immediately hired to a long-term contract by Jack Warner.

There are more nice film clips along the way and his contract dispute with the studio over more pay (after becoming big at the box-office) ended in better roles and a big raise during the Depression years.

MAE CLARKE, JACK LEMMON and VIRGINIA MAYO do most of the talking about working with him and there's a lot of footage from Cagney's biggest hit during the '40s: YANKEE DOODLE DANDY. Not much about some of his other big ones at that time, so this is definitely not an in depth bio of the star.

Before you know it, he's being given a tribute that turns out to be one of his last public appearances after he retires to his ranch.

Nice tribute, but doesn't give a complete picture of the Cagney career since it concentrates heavily on one major film instead of giving an overall view of his popularity during the '40s.