The Films of James Cagney Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sinner's Holiday

Based on a play named "penny Arcade", Sinner's Holiday didn't do too well in the theater. Upon seeing the play, actor AL Jolson bought the rights for 20,000 dollars and proceeded to convince Warner Brothers to make it into a film with the stipulation that James Cagney and Joan Blodell play the roles they had on the stage. Cagney made the most of his small part, showing off both his tough and dramatic sides. And from there, a star is born.

Answer: The Public Enemy

What a film. James went from being an unknown to a superstar. In this film there is the famous "grapefruit" scene (adlibbed by Cagney) and included in the cast is Jean Harlow, the Marilyn Monroe of the 1930s. I first saw this film last year and was completely taken with Cagney's energy and charisma.

He was electric as the hostile Powers, a guy that doesn't find out he travelled the wrong path until it was too late. A classic in every respect.

Answer: Footlight Parade

Footlight Parade is a fun film, definitely one to watch if you're feeling down. Cagney stars with Joan Blondell in the film, and their chemistry is undeniable. The dialogue moves rapidly, much in the same way that "His Girl Friday" (1940) does. It also gives Joan Blondell a chance to show off her comedic talent, something she did very well. If you haven't seen this film yet, go get it. You'll love it.

Answer: A Midsummer Night's Dream

This one is worth watching just to see Cagney turn into a donkey ... well, at least from the neck up. This film has quite a cast, starring Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, a very young Mickey Rooney, Joe E. Brown and Ian Hunter. Frank McHugh makes the most of his part, as Quince, the carpenter. If you're a fan of Cagney, this is a must-see.

Answer: G-Men

Darryl F. Zanuck, going under the pseudonym 'Gregory Rogers', was nominated for an Oscar for best screenplay for G-Men. Cagney plays the good guy just as passionately as he does the bad guy. When his friend is killed, he goes on a vendetta to get the gangsters responsible--within the law this time, though. Margaret Lindsay plays his love interest Kay McCord, and Ann Dvorak gives a great performance as Brick's friend Jean Collins.

Answer: Angels with Dirty Faces

This film marked the first of several Academy award nominations (best actor) for Cagney. James is his usual energetic self with his "Whadday hear, whaddya say?" line throught the movie. Ann Sheridan really can't keep up with Cagney's fast-paced style, and it shows. Playing Jerry Connelly is Cagney's real-life pal, Pat O'Brien. Also in the film, Humphrey Bogart before he was really "Humphrey Bogart" playing Sullivan's lawyer Jim Frazier.

When you watch Cagney's last scene, you'll find out why he garnered the Oscar nomination. What a scene.

Answer: The Oklahoma Kid

If you want to see Jim and Humphrey Bogart duke it out, this one is for you. You can't take this movie seriously to enjoy it. Just sit back, relax and take it for what it is -- campy. Cagney made two other westerns, both in the 50's...Run For Cover and Tribute To A Badman.

Answer: The Strawberry Blonde

This is one of my personal favorites. It's a fun, fast paced romantic comedy that brings us Olivia de Havilland in a comedic role. There are a couple of scenes that she almost steals from Cagney. Alan Hale puts in a hilarious performance as Cagney's father and Jack Carson plays Hugo Barnstead, the guy that Biff wishes he could be like until he finds out that Hugo's money doesn't buy him happiness.

Answer: Yankee Doodle Dandy

Cagney is brilliant in the movie that brought him his only Oscar. Yankee Doodle Dandy is the musical biopic of vaudevillian/songwriter George M. Cohan. This film gives us another look at Cagney's tremendous dancing talent. At the age of 43, he doesn't seem to be a day over 30. The energy, charm and charisma are, as always, high. Just a great movie.

Answer: Blood On The Sun

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable movie. Nick Condon is pressured by the Japanese government to go along with their Anti-Democratic policies. When Condon refuses to go along with it, the government thinks up very interesting predicaments for him to get into.

It's a fast-paced film, as Cagney's movies usually are, thanks to Cagney. Co-starring with Cagney in this movie are Sylvia Sidney, Wallace Ford, John Emery and well-known character actor Frank Puglia. This film won an Oscar for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration in Black and White.

Answer: 13 Rue Madeleine

This is a very interesting film. I've always loved the spy type movie, so perhaps I'm a little biased about this one. Some people consider it too documentary-like. But the whole thought of a German spy being in with the American agents was intriguing to me.

It's kept secret until roughly 30 minutes into the film, when Sharkey and Gibson discuss what they're going to do with this spy. Very interesting espionage type movie.

Answer: White Heat

"Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" James Cagney was 18 years older than he was in "The Public Enemy" when he made this film. That fact makes him that much more evil. Age does something to the movie villain--it makes him seem more cruel and mean. Cagney used his experience to give us not only a memorable character, but a memorable ending as well.

It is also interesting to note that Cagney didn't even want to do this film--and was not pleased with the final result, writing it off as "just another gangster flicker". Margaret Wycherly gives an Oscar worthy performance as Ma Jarrett, a lady who encourages her son in his life of crime.."Top of the world, son." Virginia Mayo co-stars as Cagney's neglected wife, and Steve Cochoran plays Big Ed--a guy who tries to take control of Jarret's gang.

This is the quintessential Cagney "gangster" film. Another Oscar note -- Virginia Kellogg was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing.

Answer: Love Me Or Leave Me

Starring James with Doris Day, this is a wonderful bio-pic. There were quite a few changes made to the film, though. For starters, the man Ruth Etting was married to was Moe Schneider, the man Ruth fell in love with was Meryl (not Johnny) Alderman. Quite a bit of the chronology is incorrect as well. But, while watching the film, you don't notice any of that. Cagney earned himself another nomination for this film..well deserved. Ironically, he lost to Ernest Borgnine, who was in the film "Marty". I always wondered why Doris Day wasn't at least nominated for an Oscar for her performance in this movie. She's able to keep up with Cagney--which isn't always easy, and she really proved herself as a dramatic actress in this film. Another performance that's worth mentioning is that of Cameron Mitchell, who played Johnny Alderman. He's subdued in the role, and Cagney shows him up a bit, but it was still a job well done by Mitchell.

This film won 1 Academy Award and was nominated for 6. They are as follows:
Won - Oscar Best Writing, Motion Picture Story
Nominated - Oscar Best Actor in a Leading Role , Best Music, Original Song, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Sound, Recording and Best Writing, Screenplay.

Answer: Mr. Roberts

This is just a wonderful film with an all-star cast. Henry Fonda, reprising his stage role as Mr. Roberts, William Powell as Doc, Jack Lemmon as Ensign Pulver and Ward Bond as Officer Dowdy. Cagney is just great as the Captian who is so bitter that he denies every letter that Roberts sends in for transfer.

A scene that is worth the price of the DVD alone is where Pulver and the Captain meet for the first time. Jack Lemmon gives the Jack most hilarious performance of the film. Lemmon earned a Best Supporting Oscar in his performance as Pulver. Mr. Roberts was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Sound, Recording.

Answer: The 7 Little Foys

Cohan comes to the Friar's Club to give Foy the "Outstanding Father of the Year Award". Some good natured ribbing follows between the two;
Foy: I know how it must pain you to give anyone but yourself an award.
Cohan: That's all right boy, I wasn't really trying for this one.

Following, there is some great dancing. Cagney and Hope really went all out for this wonderful scene.

Answer: These Wilder Years

This film did not do as well as MGM expected it to, but all in all it's still a good movie. Cagney gives a very sympathetic performance as a man who experiences a twinge of conscience later in his life. Barbara Stanwyck plays Ann Dempster, the head of the orphanage where Bradford's son was adopted from.

This is more, though, than a film about a man looking for his child. It's also a film about lost opportunities, regrets and responsibilities. Betty Lou Keim plays a pivotal role as Suzie, a 16-year-old girl who must decide whether to give up her illegitimate child or to keep it.

This was quite a controversial film for 1956, but it was done with real class.

Answer: Man of a Thousand Faces

This film is a very nice biopic of Chaney's life, but there isn't much of fact in it. But, like "Love Me Or Leave Me", you really don't notice it while watching the film. Cagney, Dorothy Malone and Jane Greer all give wonderful performances in their respective roles. This film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.

Answer: One, Two, Three

This has to be the most hilarious performance Cagney ever put in a film. It's fast paced from beginning to end, and full of great characters. Arelene Francis is just brilliant as Cagney's wife and Horst Buchholz is a riot as Otto Ludwig Piffl. I can't even pick a funny quote from the movie--I'd have to transcribe the whole script. If you want to see the best James Cagney comedic role, watch this film. But, I would suggest you watch both "The Public Enemy" and "Little Ceasar" before watching this movie -- you'll get a few more of the jokes.

Answer: Ragtime

Cagney played Commissioner Rheinlander Waldo. Also in this film was Pat O'Brien, playing Mr. Delfin Delmas. It would be the final film appearance for them both. Cagney was 82 at the time this film was released and was confined to a wheelchair most of the time. Most of his scenes show him sitting down and a stand in was used in a few other scenes, with his back to the camera.

This film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, but didn't win any. The nominations were Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Art/Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Original Song and Best Writing.

Answer: Terrible Joe Moran

I'm going to take the summary directly from www.imdb.com, since I've never seen this movie. "James Cagney (in his final role) plays a wheelchair-bound former boxing champion whose long estraged granddaughter, an aspiring writer, pops back in his life first searching for money to help her ne'er-do-well boyfriend get off the hook with mafia types for various loans, and later she redevelops a familial bond with the old man." Art Carney won an Emmy for his portrayal of Tony.