James Cagney born July 17, in 1899 - 70 roles including White Heat, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Angels with Dirty Faces, The Public Enemy, The Roaring Twenties, Love Me or Leave Me, The Strawberry Blonde, Mister Roberts, Ragtime... #botd http://www.classicmoviehub.com/bio/james-cagney/ | Classic Movie Hub

James Cagney and Joan Leslie in Michael Curtiz's YANKEE DOODLE DANDY ('42). Want to learn more about the History of Hollywood Musicals? Enroll in our FREE Online Class Mad About Musicals here: http://myt.cm/musicals! | Turner Classic Movies: TCM

James Cagney came up with the idea to tap dance down the White House stairs only five minutes before the cameras rolled for a scene in the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy. He intentionally did not consult with director Michael Curtiz beforehand, believing the director would forbid the dangerous improvisation on the smooth marble surface, and nailed the take perfectly in one go. Credit: Warner Bros. | History In Pictures

Remembering James Cagney FAVORITE MOMENTS James Francis Cagney Jr. July 17, 1899 – March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances. He is remembered for playing multifaceted tough guys in films such as The Public Enemy (1931), Taxi! (1932), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), The Roar