*Michael Curtiz's Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and 50 similar items

Vintage original 8x10 in. US single-weight glossy photograph from the classic 1940's musical comedy biopic, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, released in 1942 by Warner Bros./ First National and directed by Michael Curtiz. James Cagney sang, danced, and acted his way to winning the Academy Award for "Best Actor" for his performance as the legendary songwriter and performer George M. Cohan. The image features a close shot of George M. Cohan (James Cagney), wearing a Union Civil War uniform, standing on the stage with his sister, Josie (portrayed by Cagney's real-life sister, Jeanne), as they smile at the audience. Printed for the film's original 1942 US theatrical release, this vintage original photograph is in near-fine condition with multiple thin diagonal raised areas across a majority of the image which are primarily visible when viewing the photo at an angle and random creases in the borders with slightly more creasing on the corners. The image quality is razor-sharp with fine detail and great contrast. James Cagney became the first actor to win the "Best Actor" Academy Award for a musical performance. According to his biography, the rather stiff-legged dancing style used by Cagney in this film is not his own. He copied George M. Cohan's style to make the film more accurate. Yankee Doodle Dandy marks the first time a living US President was depicted in a film. It was also the first time Cagney attended the premiere of one of his own movies. The film's classic line, "My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you." was voted as the #97 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100).