James Cagney is one of those actors who has an unrivalled screen presence. Powerful and tough, but can be soft and smooth, what an actor. One of my favourirtes.
Wow Pat still looks like the same, Cagney has the same trademark way of talking. Pat choking up brought a lump to my throat, a real friendship sustained for decades and never for personal or professional gains. This is real old school love, Cagney played all those tough macho roles in films, but the man was so humble and unassuming as Pat testified too. This is really special and heartfelt.
Streamlined? Like Orson Welles said of Cagney, "He performed at the top of his bent, as if he were playing to a room of 4, 300 people, but there was never a false moment'
That is it. Streamlined, truthful honest. I keep hearing him saying things like … “we just did it.” As in they gave us the material and we just did it.
This was in 1981,and I remember watching it as a 13 year old,and having a great fondness for James Cagney,that has never left me. Now at 53 I see this clip again,and it makes me proud of the kid I was,to notice and respect a true legend and gentleman. The friendship shown here is very touching and something we should all aspire to.
This was shown in the New year of 1981 , one of Michael Parkinson dream guests was Jimmy Cagney and he finally got him he wanted frank sinatra cary grant they never appeared he got Sean Connery Clint Eastwood Richard Burton Mel Gibson Tom Hanks Tom Cruise and the infamous Meg Ryan that was a interview that went wrong
When Cagney imitated that kid saying "Did you or didn't ya?" ...he suddenly became that young, tough, sociopathic gangster who was more intimidating and menacing than any I've seen on screen since those days.
I do too. It's an era that my parents lived in and always talked about. My dad used to say that they never had a lot of money but they had lots of fun. Simpler times with less expectations and enjoying whatever little happiness was available during the Depression. Cagney, O'Brien, Bogart, Davis, Tracy and ALL of the rest: their kind will never be seen again.
There is a tiny bit more of this Parkinson interview on Facebook, Cynthia. O'Brien has an amusing anecdote of what a real gangster said to him backstage at a play in the '20s.
qwer123211 ..It's like comparing Vintage champagne or Irish Whisky with a can of Soda....I think it's to do with the Hard,tough upbringing,it cultivates character and provides s reference point to draw upon .Especially for an Actor..Absolute class..
Please stop doing this. Every old clip on UA-cam has to have a 'everything was better in the old days. Everything is rubbish to day". There was as much good and bad stuff then, as now.
I was once in the company of a powerful agent and lawyer in Beverly Hills. I asked him a question. Who was a great actor? He replied, James Cagney. I was a little surprised but asked why? The answer I received was that Cagney could walk onto a movie set and turn on the magic like nobody else could! The man who I was speaking to was one of the most powerful men in the entertainment business and had connections to a huge list of the most famous stars in Hollywood!! At the time of her death he was also responsible for Marilyn Monroe.
Yes Georgianne Lakatos , Cagney is my favorite as well, I’ve must of seen all of his movies 100 times each from Sinners Holiday(1930) to Ragtime (1981) and all 67 movies in between.
Amazing to see them look like this. We all expect them to look the same as their younger days but...when they speak...the same voices as always. Brilliant.
a beautiful picture of a friendship between two old friends. There's something special about old friends like that...the way O'brien gets choked up lets you know how special...
I remember watching this NEW Year 1981 Michael Parkinson for many years wanted Jimmy Cagney to appear on his show and he finally got his wish this show was 2nd or 3 nd of that year this one one of this dream guests
Yes Robert, Parky mentioned to Orson Welles, in 1973, that he longed to interview Cagney, but didn't hold much hope. Ragtime, filmed in London in 1980/'81, gave Parky the perfect chance to cross that off his bucket list! Infuriatingly though, the full interview is difficult to locate...
What a wonderful segment. Pat O'brien's sentiment really gets to you. Such a wonderful friendship they had. This is around 1981 I think. They met in 1926 according to O'brien and remained friends for 55 years. Great video!
Ah man I love Cagney! I'm 18 years old now and I first discovered him when I was about 12 - first movie of his I ever saw was 'Kiss tomorrow goodbye.' Been a Cagney fan ever since! I wish I could meet him, fantastic guy!
Being Irish American I have always had a special place in my heart for Cagney , O'Brien and many of the Hollywood stars of the Golden Age. Cagney came back to the big screen (on doctor's orders) to play in Ragtime for Milos Forman. So I finally got to see the old man in a first run movie in a theatre while he was still with us! What a thrill. And I can tell you everybody waiting on line was abuzz with excitement talking about Cagney!
It was a thrill. I also was really hyped about seeing Terrible Joe Moran, but was so saddened by his physical decline that I was nearly in tears. I think it may have helped him some but really, I believe he should’ve passed on that show. Too painful to watch.😞😞😞
HE WAS AN ICON AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE HIM GOD BLESS YOU CAGNEY REST IN PEACE FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN WITH AN INCURABLE ILLNESS YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH HAPPINESS YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO ME THANK YOU.
I love 💕 James cagney because my dad Mick Twomey introduced me to Cagney. He was so proud, that he was an Irish actor that became famous in Hollywood. He could repeat all the lines from his movies
What a great story! A real actor and a real gentleman. I wonder if he knew how a tip of the hat could make a lifelong memory for someone. Thanks for sharing that.
Wow , truly awesome to see these 2 together . must have been after Ragtime . Amazing how much Jimmy aged in between this appearance and his appearance at the AFI lifetime achievement award a few years earlier
Wonderful! I've waited over 30 years to see that interview again - hope we can see all of it. Many of Parkinson's 1970s interviews are fresh in my memory...REAL stars then. Glad he's retired, he was as good as ever, but the 'celebrities' got worse and worse - now they can compete with Woss for the audience's attention...
These great Hollywood legends, were not just actors but also institutions in their own right. Whatever movie Cagney was in and whichever character he portrayed, James Cagney was always James Cagney, and that`s why he was so popular, the audiences loved him for the man he was himself, more than the characters he played. The same applied to Bogart and Edward.G, all having their own unique style. There has not been any actors that could match them since they departed and they`ll never be any actors like them in the future. The world lost something big when these great men came to the ends of the eras.
End of an era stuff is always sad....here we have two legends both not long for this world...remembering great days...there was a fellowship in early Hollywood which does not exist today.
Cagney was the greatest. And O'Brien was such a fine actor. What a great era they had! An era when a script was just a guide, and actors had to actually bring talent to the screen. Tough guys and terrific Americans. To answer THE question......NO!, Cagney didn't go yellow. RIP Jimmy and Pat.
James Cagney was also a top song and dance man - witness his performance in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (as George M. Cohan), and teaming up with Bob Hope to perform a memorable dance routine on the silver screen. Joyous stuff.
Dear Bidil6: I know what you mean. I was blessed enough to meet Mr. Cagney very briefly, I was only 21, in 1977 at my work in NB, he had come to see my boss who insured Mr. Cagney's Martha's Vineyard horses - I will never forget meeting him, what he was like - I can't remember what I did 2 days ago but I remember when he died - Be glad we had him for a little while. There IS life after death. There is. Believe. Death is not the end. Thank you whoever posted this.
It is was touching to see Pat O'Brien get choked up talking about his friendship with James Cagney. The definition of a true friendship
It made my heart break.
that is a sweet moment that was captured forever...very sweet...loved them both...
Pat O'Brien was one of my favorite actors. This brief interview reveals a lot about him and Cagney.
BOTH. CLASS ACTS
👍
James Cagney is one of those actors who has an unrivalled screen presence. Powerful and tough, but can be soft and smooth, what an actor. One of my favourirtes.
Wow Pat still looks like the same, Cagney has the same trademark way of talking. Pat choking up brought a lump to my throat, a real friendship sustained for decades and never for personal or professional gains. This is real old school love, Cagney played all those tough macho roles in films, but the man was so humble and unassuming as Pat testified too. This is really special and heartfelt.
James Cagney is one of the best film actors in history. His style is streamlined but truthful and honest.
Streamlined? Like Orson Welles said of Cagney, "He performed at the top of his bent, as if he were playing to a room of 4, 300 people, but there was never a false moment'
He is still copied to this day Christopher from the Sopranos uses alot of Jimmy's facial expressions and when he slams a door it's Jimmy.
That is it. Streamlined, truthful honest. I keep hearing him saying things like … “we just did it.” As in they gave us the material and we just did it.
He is the greatest actor period, and even Kubrick who made only boring films for old dudes, said it)
Somewhere in this interview, he’s asked about his style. He said, learn your lines, stand up and tell the truth. He was majestic, never bettered
This was in 1981,and I remember watching it as a 13 year old,and having a great fondness for James Cagney,that has never left me. Now at 53 I see this clip again,and it makes me proud of the kid I was,to notice and respect a true legend and gentleman. The friendship shown here is very touching and something we should all aspire to.
This was shown in the New year of 1981 , one of Michael Parkinson dream guests was Jimmy Cagney and he finally got him he wanted frank sinatra cary grant they never appeared he got Sean Connery Clint Eastwood Richard Burton Mel Gibson Tom Hanks Tom Cruise and the infamous Meg Ryan that was a interview that went wrong
It's not just nostalgia - they were great people as well as being great actors.
I honestly can't watch this touching moment between two screen giants and great gentlemen without getting emotional. Miss them both.
How touching to see Pat with his hand on his longtime pal's hand. It says 'I love you.'
I know right?
it does indeed
When Cagney imitated that kid saying "Did you or didn't ya?" ...he suddenly became that young, tough, sociopathic gangster who was more intimidating and menacing than any I've seen on screen since those days.
Two Hollywood legends. RIP Mr. Cagney and Mr. O'Brien.
I second that!
Absolutely Right
Cagney’s timing with that final line was true greatness
👍
This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen........Two great stars sharing such wonderful friendship.
James Cagney was the greatest actors of all time
So good he was several actors, huh?
I do too. It's an era that my parents lived in and always talked about. My dad used to say that they never had a lot of money but they had lots of fun. Simpler times with less expectations and enjoying whatever little happiness was available during the Depression. Cagney, O'Brien, Bogart, Davis, Tracy and ALL of the rest: their kind will never be seen again.
Cagney's story is hilarious. I just rewatched it like 5 times. Oh man. Sweet classy old timer
1981 ohhh...”Angels With Dirty Faces!” Great Movie with the 2 of them! WONDERFUL! Loved these great actors! Thank you! 🙏🏼
There is a tiny bit more of this Parkinson interview on Facebook, Cynthia. O'Brien has an amusing anecdote of what a real gangster said to him backstage at a play in the '20s.
I could listen to this stories all day and never get bored
You can tell Pat loves Jimmy. Even in the movies they made together in the 30s their friendship sbone through.
James sexy cagney
No one can match Michael Parkinson..He talked to the Greats and made it look so easy, plus, it was very entertaining.. Nice one Mike ;)
These guys were absolute legends RIP to both
James Cagney - Not only a great actor but a fine man.
My gosh, what class, intellect and talent these two had. Cagney was the iconic lead guy and Pat one of the finest supporting actors of all time.
2 OF THE GREATEST IRISH AMERICANS EVER. LOVED THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND LOVED THEIR FILMS 🎥 ❤
The greatest actor ever Janes Cagney he could play anything
Multi talented..dancing singing he did it all on point
Love these two, legends that won't be forgotten.
This made my heart sing.
God rest their respective souls. These two men were the salt of the earth and two of the finest actors that ever lived.
The Irish Mafia you will never see their likes again. True stars. Rest well boys.
“Did ya or didn’t ya?” Brilliant. Loved to watch Mr Cagney 👏🏻
What you are viewing here is TRUE friendship.....TRUE friendship and MUTUAL respect not the fake crap Hollywood portrays today!
qwer123211 ..It's like comparing Vintage champagne or Irish Whisky with a can of Soda....I think it's to do with the Hard,tough upbringing,it cultivates character and provides s reference point to draw upon .Especially for an Actor..Absolute class..
EXACTLY!!!
qwer123211 EXACTLY!
I'm crying
Please stop doing this. Every old clip on UA-cam has to have a 'everything was better in the old days. Everything is rubbish to day". There was as much good and bad stuff then, as now.
I can’t imagine a Hollywood without these two icons. I would love to see the complete BBC interview.
my all time favorite actor...James cagney.
I was once in the company of a powerful agent and lawyer in Beverly Hills. I asked him a question. Who was a great actor? He replied, James Cagney. I was a little surprised but asked why? The answer I received was that Cagney could walk onto a movie set and turn on the magic like nobody else could! The man who I was speaking to was one of the most powerful men in the entertainment business and had connections to a huge list of the most famous stars in Hollywood!! At the time of her death he was also responsible for Marilyn Monroe.
Yes Georgianne Lakatos , Cagney is my favorite as well, I’ve must of seen all of his movies 100 times each from Sinners Holiday(1930) to Ragtime (1981) and all 67 movies in between.
@@normanturner1544 he was the best.
Amazing to see them look like this. We all expect them to look the same as their younger days but...when they speak...the same voices as always. Brilliant.
James Cagney, Humprhey Bogart, Orson Welles, Walter & John Huston...they ARE big. It's the pictures that got small.
Yep.
Angels with Dirty Faces is one of my all time favs
Diehardhushfan mine to
great great movie for pete's sake say it all of ya fellow
Imo one of the best old American classics sucks most younger gen don't know about it
"They've got to despise you, Rocky."
They did that entire scene (Jerry's last visit with Rocky) in one take.
The scene at the end is excruciating. Told by O'Brien's face and Cagney's voice. It is so difficult to watch.
a beautiful picture of a friendship between two old friends. There's something special about old friends like that...the way O'brien gets choked up lets you know how special...
Touching interview
Made me cry to see his friend tear up
I remember watching this NEW Year 1981 Michael Parkinson for many years wanted Jimmy Cagney to appear on his show and he finally got his wish this show was 2nd or 3 nd of that year this one one of this dream guests
Yes Robert, Parky mentioned to Orson Welles, in 1973, that he longed to interview Cagney, but didn't hold much hope. Ragtime, filmed in London in 1980/'81, gave Parky the perfect chance to cross that off his bucket list! Infuriatingly though, the full interview is difficult to locate...
james cagney was the best actor on the planet
Without a doubt
What a wonderful segment. Pat O'brien's sentiment really gets to you. Such a wonderful friendship they had. This is around 1981 I think. They met in 1926 according to O'brien and remained friends for 55 years. Great video!
Lifelong friendship - what a rare and precious gift
Love Pat O'Brien in The Great Omalley . Cagney in everything!! Two legends of Hollywood's golden age.
Ah man I love Cagney! I'm 18 years old now and I first discovered him when I was about 12 - first movie of his I ever saw was 'Kiss tomorrow goodbye.' Been a Cagney fan ever since!
I wish I could meet him, fantastic guy!
Being Irish American I have always had a special place in my heart for Cagney , O'Brien and many of the Hollywood stars of the Golden Age. Cagney came back to the big screen (on doctor's orders) to play in Ragtime for Milos Forman. So I finally got to see the old man in a first run movie in a theatre while he was still with us! What a thrill. And I can tell you everybody waiting on line was abuzz with excitement talking about Cagney!
You said it.Thank you.
It was a thrill. I also was really hyped about seeing Terrible Joe Moran, but was so saddened by his physical decline that I was nearly in tears. I think it may have helped him some but really, I believe he should’ve passed on that show. Too painful to watch.😞😞😞
Two of the all time greatest actors to ever grace the silver screen.
These Parkinson interviews are true treasures. Thanks for posting.
Mr. O'Brien loses it at 1:12 and so did I. Great interview.
brought a t e a r to my eye too,very moving.May their friendship continue in heaven.RIP gentlemen.
HE WAS AN ICON AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE HIM GOD BLESS YOU CAGNEY REST IN PEACE FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN WITH AN INCURABLE ILLNESS YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH HAPPINESS YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO ME THANK YOU.
I love 💕 James cagney because my dad Mick Twomey introduced me to Cagney. He was so proud, that he was an Irish actor that became famous in Hollywood. He could repeat all the lines from his movies
Lifelong pals. They seemed as close as Laurel & Hardy.
My favorite of all time and best actor of all time (see White Heat) James Cagney !!!
Omg , he still had it ., how funny
Two legends in cinema.
Jimmy was the best ever incredible!
From his first film "Sinner's Holiday" (1930) with Joan Blondell, you could tell Cagney was a great actor.
Great chemistry, like the very greatest stars...
That story about the red headed freckled lad 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 from movies to interviews the legend never failed to deliver 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯❤❤❤❤❤❤
Cagney is the greatest actor ever.
Two Great ones!!
Probably Parkinson’s most memorable interview, maybe alongside Ali.
My favorite is, "The Roaring Twenties"! Bogart and Cagney at their best being the baddest.
What a great story! A real actor and a real gentleman. I wonder if he knew how a tip of the hat could make a lifelong memory for someone. Thanks for sharing that.
Two wonderful gentlemen. Very moving and a hoot at the end.
RIP Champs.
This is terrific.
James Cagney is brilliant! how brilliant is that clip
Great!!!
Thank you for posting it. I watched on July
4th, just after seeing Yankee Doodle Dandy.
It is his holiday. God bless Jimmy.
Wow , truly awesome to see these 2 together . must have been after Ragtime . Amazing how much Jimmy aged in between this appearance and his appearance at the AFI lifetime achievement award a few years earlier
For some reason, this is mesmerizing.
Love it!!!---Laugh out loud!
Cagney's story about the kid!
Cagney didn't need a gangster movie in order to shine. He was great playing *any* role.
true, he was a wonderful light comic also. Peerless timing...
i can still tell it's them, even though they are old men in this interview on parkinsons. they appeared in some good films in their day.
touching and funny interview of 2 dear friends....angels with dirty faces ..Cagney is my favorite,wish I coulda met him just once.
Wonderful! I've waited over 30 years to see that interview again - hope we can see all of it. Many of Parkinson's 1970s interviews are fresh in my memory...REAL stars then. Glad he's retired, he was as good as ever, but the 'celebrities' got worse and worse - now they can compete with Woss for the audience's attention...
These great Hollywood legends, were not just actors but also institutions in their own right.
Whatever movie Cagney was in and whichever character he portrayed, James Cagney was always James Cagney, and that`s why he was so popular, the audiences loved him for the man he was himself, more than the characters he played.
The same applied to Bogart and Edward.G, all having their own unique style.
There has not been any actors that could match them since they departed and they`ll never be any actors like them in the future.
The world lost something big when these great men came to the ends of the eras.
Such respect for Cagney best ever gangster,,,. Top of the world ma !! Xxxxxxxx
"Did yeah or Didn't yeah !?!?" . One of the greatest mysteries of film, evah !
He didn't!!!
No way
Beautiful clip of two greats and a touching tribute and insight into Cagney the "introvert" by his buddy Pat.
Pat O'Brien is a wonderful man I love and admire.
James Cagney is another of my favorite actors.
Two truly wonderful actors....please post the entire interview.
End of an era stuff is always sad....here we have two legends both not long for this world...remembering great days...there was a fellowship in early Hollywood which does not exist today.
Cagney was the greatest. And O'Brien was such a fine actor. What a great era they had! An era when a script was just a guide, and actors had to actually bring talent to the screen. Tough guys and terrific Americans.
To answer THE question......NO!, Cagney didn't go yellow. RIP Jimmy and Pat.
Loved this! This was great!
When Orson Wells says your the best actor, then your the best actor!
Two great actors on view here, awesome
James Cagney was also a top song and dance man - witness his performance in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (as George M. Cohan), and teaming up with Bob Hope to perform a
memorable dance routine on the silver screen. Joyous stuff.
We are fortunate to be entertained by Mr. Cagney. He IS a superstar.
A bit of info on Cagney. He was a tremendous artist and he collected antique carriages on his farm in upstate New York until his death.
This was in 1981 to promote Cagney and O'Brien appearing in Ragtime (though they did not share any scenes)
Every single time Mr Cagney tells the story about the kid "did ya or didn't ya" go yellow cracks me up.
Cagney, Stewart, Fonda, Bogart - The list goes on, such good actors
Dear Bidil6: I know what you mean. I was blessed enough to meet Mr. Cagney very briefly, I was only 21, in 1977 at my work in NB, he had come to see my boss who insured Mr. Cagney's Martha's Vineyard horses - I will never forget meeting him, what he was like - I can't remember what I did 2 days ago but I remember when he died - Be glad we had him for a little while. There IS life after death. There is. Believe. Death is not the end. Thank you whoever posted this.
Two Greats that none of us will be Blessed to se Again
ur darn right, pure magic i might say also my favorite Cagney-O'Brien classic masterpiece of a movie, cheers! ';Oj
Jeez this is as rare as they get interview wise
Loved all of Cagney's movies. Especially the George M Cohan movies.
"Angels with Dirty faces"
One of my brothers and I favorites.
One of the Greatest!
The best of the best may their soul"s RIP🍃💙🍃💫👼💫
Jame Cagney, brilliant actor
70's TV was the dogs. I remember going out and dashing back to see the top Hollywood stars who never disappointed..
Love those 2 actors!!!!!