Right
up front, let me say that if you are reading this review, then you better
plan on buying this DVD. Unless you happened upon this review of YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY ($27) by accident, you are amongst those interested in
acquiring this classic motion picture, and are eager to know if the DVD is
any good. Well, good isn’t the word for this disc; great would be a
getter description, if not wonderful. Okay, so I am jumping the gun a bit
for those of you that may have never seen YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.
However, those already well versed in this sublime bit of silver screen
entertainment should already be placing orders for the excellent DVD
release.
Without
a doubt, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY is one of the finest examples of
patriotic Hollywood flag waving ever produced in tinsel town. Made during
the Second World War, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was clearly designed as a
morale booster for the troops overseas, as well as those that remained on
the home front. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY tells the story of
performer/writer/composer George M. Cohan (James Cagney), who over the
course of his career had created such enduring and inspiring works as Grand
Old Flag and Over There. And for his patriotic
efforts as a composer, Cohan was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The film traces Cohan’s theatrical career, which allowed Cagney ample
opportunities to display his prowess as a song and dance man- performing
many of the songs that Cohan made famous. In addition to its musical
attributes, Cagney’s memorable turn as Cohan earned the screen icon an
Academy Award as Best Actor. The fine supporting cast of YANKEE DOODLE
DANDY includes Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Irene
Manning, George Tobias, Rosemary DeCamp and Jeanne Cagney.
Warner
Home Video has made YANKEE DOODLE DANDY available on DVD in a truly
superb looking black and white transfer that frames the film in its proper
1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. Undeniably, this is the absolute best
that YANKEE DOODLE DANDY has ever looked in a home presentation or
on broadcast. Warner should be congratulated for producing a transfer that
really does justice to James Wong Howe’s marvelous black and white
cinematography. The presentation is very clean- showing very few blemishes
or other signs of age. Modest amounts of grain appear in places, but it
helps to maintain a film like appearance, rather than that of video. The
image itself is rather crisp looking and pretty nicely defined. Blacks are
rich and velvety, while the whites appear clean and totally stable.
Contrast is excellent, with the picture producing a nice variety in its
grayscale. Additionally, the image produces a nice sense of
dimensionality. Digital compression artifacts are never a cause for
concern.
YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY comes with a surprisingly good Dolby Digital monaural
soundtrack, which would seem to have been digital cleansed to remove all
noticeable traces of background hiss and other audible anomalies. Fidelity
certainly has its age related limitations, but as a musical from 1942, YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY sounds truly delightful with modest amounts of
amplification applied. Dialogue reproduction is very good, with everything
being completely understandable and the voices maintaining a strong sense
of character. No other language tracks are provided, but English, French
and Spanish subtitles have been encoded onto the DVD.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the nice
complement of supplemental materials that have been spread across both
discs of this Special Edition release. Disc one starts off with a running
audio commentary featuring film historian Rudy Behlmer, who provides a
highly detailed look at the film’s production, as well as the
personalities involved. Also included on disc one is a Warner Night
At The Movies, which recreates the full experience of going to the
cinema in 1942. Hosted by Leonard Maltin, this Warner Night At The
Movies 1942 offers a trailer, newsreels, a patriotic wartime short
subject, plus a cartoon and the feature presentation. Disc one also
includes a James Cagney trailer gallery.
On
disc two, one will find the bulk of supplemental programs. Let
Freedom Sing! The Story of Yankee Doodle Dandy runs forty-five
minutes and looks at the life George M. Cohan, as well as the making of
this classic musical biography of his life. Also clocking in at forty-five
minutes is James Cagney: Top of the World, a profile of the
legendary star hosted by Michael J Fox. You, John Jones is a
theatrical short featuring Cagney that is a bit heavy on the wartime
propaganda. John Travolta Remembers James Cagney allows the
actor five-minutes to reminisce about knowing the silver screen icon. A
couple of properly themed Looney Tunes cartoons are also included on the
DVD, namely Yankee Doodle Daffy &Yankee Doodle
Bugs. The Audio Vault features some recordings of
outtakes and rehearsals, as well as the 10/19/42 Lady Esther Screen
Guild Theater Radio Showfeaturing a performance of YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY. Finally the Waving the Flag Galleries
offers various production materials, from George M. Cohan sheet music to
stills and poster art.
As
I stated at the start of this review, you better plan on buying this DVD. YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY is indeed one of the great screen entertainments from the
golden age of Hollywood, in addition to being one of James Cagney’s
finest films. Warner has done a tremendous job with the DVD, offering a
superb presentation and a terrific complement of extras. Absolutely
recommended.
Right
up front, let me say that if you are reading this review, then you better
plan on buying this DVD. Unless you happened upon this review of YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY ($27) by accident, you are amongst those interested in
acquiring this classic motion picture, and are eager to know if the DVD is
any good. Well, good isn’t the word for this disc; great would be a
getter description, if not wonderful. Okay, so I am jumping the gun a bit
for those of you that may have never seen YANKEE DOODLE DANDY.
However, those already well versed in this sublime bit of silver screen
entertainment should already be placing orders for the excellent DVD
release.
Without
a doubt, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY is one of the finest examples of
patriotic Hollywood flag waving ever produced in tinsel town. Made during
the Second World War, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY was clearly designed as a
morale booster for the troops overseas, as well as those that remained on
the home front. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY tells the story of
performer/writer/composer George M. Cohan (James Cagney), who over the
course of his career had created such enduring and inspiring works as Grand
Old Flag and Over There. And for his patriotic
efforts as a composer, Cohan was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The film traces Cohan’s theatrical career, which allowed Cagney ample
opportunities to display his prowess as a song and dance man- performing
many of the songs that Cohan made famous. In addition to its musical
attributes, Cagney’s memorable turn as Cohan earned the screen icon an
Academy Award as Best Actor. The fine supporting cast of YANKEE DOODLE
DANDY includes Walter Huston, Joan Leslie, Richard Whorf, Irene
Manning, George Tobias, Rosemary DeCamp and Jeanne Cagney.
Warner
Home Video has made YANKEE DOODLE DANDY available on DVD in a truly
superb looking black and white transfer that frames the film in its proper
1.37:1 full screen aspect ratio. Undeniably, this is the absolute best
that YANKEE DOODLE DANDY has ever looked in a home presentation or
on broadcast. Warner should be congratulated for producing a transfer that
really does justice to James Wong Howe’s marvelous black and white
cinematography. The presentation is very clean- showing very few blemishes
or other signs of age. Modest amounts of grain appear in places, but it
helps to maintain a film like appearance, rather than that of video. The
image itself is rather crisp looking and pretty nicely defined. Blacks are
rich and velvety, while the whites appear clean and totally stable.
Contrast is excellent, with the picture producing a nice variety in its
grayscale. Additionally, the image produces a nice sense of
dimensionality. Digital compression artifacts are never a cause for
concern.
ANKEE
DOODLE DANDY comes with a surprisingly good Dolby Digital monaural
soundtrack, which would seem to have been digital cleansed to remove all
noticeable traces of background hiss and other audible anomalies. Fidelity
certainly has its age related limitations, but as a musical from 1942, YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY sounds truly delightful with modest amounts of
amplification applied. Dialogue reproduction is very good, with everything
being completely understandable and the voices maintaining a strong sense
of character. No other language tracks are provided, but English, French
and Spanish subtitles have been encoded onto the DVD.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which allow one access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the nice
complement of supplemental materials that have been spread across both
discs of this Special Edition release. Disc one starts off with a running
audio commentary featuring film historian Rudy Behlmer, who provides a
highly detailed look at the film’s production, as well as the
personalities involved. Also included on disc one is a Warner Night
At The Movies, which recreates the full experience of going to the
cinema in 1942. Hosted by Leonard Maltin, this Warner Night At The
Movies 1942 offers a trailer, newsreels, a patriotic wartime short
subject, plus a cartoon and the feature presentation. Disc one also
includes a James Cagney trailer gallery.
On
disc two, one will find the bulk of supplemental programs. Let
Freedom Sing! The Story of Yankee Doodle Dandy runs forty-five
minutes and looks at the life George M. Cohan, as well as the making of
this classic musical biography of his life. Also clocking in at forty-five
minutes is James Cagney: Top of the World, a profile of the
legendary star hosted by Michael J Fox. You, John Jones is a
theatrical short featuring Cagney that is a bit heavy on the wartime
propaganda. John Travolta Remembers James Cagney allows the
actor five-minutes to reminisce about knowing the silver screen icon. A
couple of properly themed Looney Tunes cartoons are also included on the
DVD, namely Yankee Doodle Daffy &Yankee Doodle
Bugs. The Audio Vault features some recordings of
outtakes and rehearsals, as well as the 10/19/42 Lady Esther Screen
Guild Theater Radio Show featuring a performance of YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY. Finally the Waving the Flag Galleries
offers various production materials, from George M. Cohan sheet music to
stills and poster art.
As
I stated at the start of this review, you better plan on buying this DVD. YANKEE
DOODLE DANDY is indeed one of the great screen entertainments from the
golden age of Hollywood, in addition to being one of James Cagney’s
finest films. Warner has done a tremendous job with the DVD, offering a
superb presentation and a terrific complement of extras. Absolutely
recommended.