James Cagney (1931)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
This was the first film in the Intimate Interviews series, which sadly only lasted one more episode after this (if IMDb is correct). Dorothy West goes to the home of James Cagney to ask him a few questions about his recent movie roles. When West shows up we see that Cagney is working out, trying to keep in shape, which is something the actor would become well known for. Once the interview starts we get questions including if Cagney's fans think he's really a mobster, what gives him happiness and what type of roles he would like to do. It's interesting hearing Cagney talk about receiving fan letters from people wanting to "save" him from a "life of crime," which obviously means they think what they're seeing on the screen is real! It's also funny hearing Cagney talk about wanting to do all sorts of roles, which is something he would do in his career. Cagney comes across very charming here and he shows that wise guy attitude and comic timing just perfectly. West is also charming in her own way and we get a pretty funny gag at the end with Cagney talking about not being able to make a golf shot, which is pretty funny became Cagney played himself in a Bobby Jones short this same year called PRACTICE SHOTS where he was given tips from the master.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
This was the first film in the Intimate Interviews series, which sadly only lasted one more episode after this (if IMDb is correct). Dorothy West goes to the home of James Cagney to ask him a few questions about his recent movie roles. When West shows up we see that Cagney is working out, trying to keep in shape, which is something the actor would become well known for. Once the interview starts we get questions including if Cagney's fans think he's really a mobster, what gives him happiness and what type of roles he would like to do. It's interesting hearing Cagney talk about receiving fan letters from people wanting to "save" him from a "life of crime," which obviously means they think what they're seeing on the screen is real! It's also funny hearing Cagney talk about wanting to do all sorts of roles, which is something he would do in his career. Cagney comes across very charming here and he shows that wise guy attitude and comic timing just perfectly. West is also charming in her own way and we get a pretty funny gag at the end with Cagney talking about not being able to make a golf shot, which is pretty funny became Cagney played himself in a Bobby Jones short this same year called PRACTICE SHOTS where he was given tips from the master.
