George C. Scott on James Cagney

Oscar-winning actor George C. Scott talks about the physical brilliance and charming nature of James Cagney, who made a career out of playing tough guys with a gentle soul. Cagney won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of iconic musician and entertainer George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942).

Connect with Turner Classic Movies:

[THREESISTERS]

Boy do we need more men like him in the world

[JoseMorales-lwnt]

Here's to the only living actor who actually attended the funeral of Hattie McDaniel. Class, integrity, and a fire in the belly that would never be quelched.

[Goodfella]

The greatest actor of all time. Comedy/drama/dancing, anything.
And he was real. A patriot, an honest man, no bigotry, just a good man.

[randy]

I grew up on James Cagney movies. When he was on the screen, no one talked. He was one of a kind.

[jamesdrynan]

Cagney as the captain in " Mr. Roberts " was grand! Orson Welles, a fan of Cagney, said, "...maybe the greatest actor who ever appeared in front of a camera. " I'd agree.

[robertgandler]

An unbelievable human being who inspired Mikail Baryshnikov to become a ballet dancer, and waa a pallbearer at his funeral. Unbelievably intelligent and moral and incredibly spoke fluent Yiddish!

[kkurichh]

Cagney's birthday today- July 17, 1899...my all time favorite!

[paulbfields]

I’m moved to tears by Scott and Cagney.. one of the greatest talking about one of the greatest… which makes both of them the same… just another guy..

[oldgoat]

James Cagney is hands down, one of my favorite actors of all time. When I found out he was actually a song-and-dance man, as demonstrated by Yankee Doodle Dandy and several other movies/shows, it blew me away!
The man had gravitas. He SOLD you on the idea that he was either plain rotten to the core, or a genuine hero. I can't remember the movie, but he spoke Yiddish, which had me laughing as I grew up around some Jewish folks.
He was of a special breed.

[VicMartino]

One great actor in praise of another. George C. Scott's praise of James Cagney was/is well earned! James Cagney one of the greatest! One of the greatest of all time's.

[bsrlpar]

James Cagney was the absolutely greatest actor of all time. He could do everything. His dancing was elegant and amazing. I loved him.

[marymurphy]

One of the best if not the greatest actor to grace the screen we will not see his likes again and we are deprived of that honour RiP Mr Cagney and thanks for your great talent

[virghammer]

James Cagney - the BEST. George C. Scott, no slouch either. -- but Cagney ... Well, all: We've had giants among us ... Thanks, JC and thanks, GSC! You gave us all So much.

[Diabtus]

I grew up in the same town that Cagney lived in when he died (stanfordville) my grandfather used to work on his coolers lol. They named the road he lived on "James Cagney Way"

[ralphpussilano]

Cagney the best hands down even today no one is better.

[bigbandsrock]

I simply do not have the words to convey how much I love, respect and admire this giant artist! He's a perfect example why I don't care for most actors today. Who could possibly top him? Though he often played a bad guy, when his humanity comes through, he can melt the hardest of hearts! As long as film endures, he will be loved and remembered fondly, always! <3

[wesleypratt]

I will admit, when I first got in classic movies I resisted Cagney movies for some reason. Idk why, but then I saw Yankee Doodle, White Heat and One Two Three all in the span of a month. And I couldn’t believe how good he was. Amazing

[jamiejmasters]

His performance as Cody Jarret in White Heat was absolutely mesmerizing, you just couldn't take your eyes off of him, almost rooting for the evil little bastard.

[MB-vuow]

Before the G.I. Bill was initiated, James Cagney was the only source of support and encouragement to the young soldier who returned from the WWII and was responsible for getting him into movies. That was Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier in American history.

[deadpan]

A perfect example of “they don’t make ‘em like they use to”