Give My Regards To 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' Quiz

Answer: George M. Cohan

George was the 2nd child of Jeremiah and Helen Costigan Cohan, better known as Jerry and Nellie. His birth certificate (the only written record) verifies that he was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 3rd, 1878. However, Cohan's family insisted that George and America shared birthdays on the 4th.

Answer: James Cagney

James Cagney was already a well-known actor in tough-guy roles. His role in 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' completely revolutionized his persona into one of a charismatic, stiff-legged dancer. Cagney's real-life sister, Jeanne, acted in the film as his younger sister Josie Cohan.

Answer: Michael

Since George was born on the Fourth of July, his father, Jerry (Walter Huston) suggested they name the baby George Washington Cohan. George's mother, Nellie (Rosemary DeCamp) thought that George Washington Cohan was too long a name for a billboard, and so, they decided on George Michael Cohan; a nice Irish name.

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

As George sat across the desk from the Democratic President - his apprehension about portraying the President in 'I'd Rather Be Right' began to dissipate. The following conversation ensued:
President: "I'm sorry I missed the opening of your show".
George: "Maybe it was just as well".
President: "Don't worry about it. We understand each other perfectly...The Herald Tribune says that you make a better president in 'I'd Rather Be Right' than I am".
George: "Don't forget, that's a Republican newspaper".

Answer: Fay Templeton

After Fay Templeton (Irene Manning) was convinced to join their newest production. George's partner, Sam, hastily volunteered George's other song "Mary" ("the best thing he's ever done") to Fay - without George's approval. As Sam grabbed and handed the sheet music for "Mary" over the dressing room curtain to her, Cagney vehemently protested: "That's not for her.

She doesn't sing that" - and he downplayed it as only a "so-so number", but Fay was nonetheless interested.

Answer: Peck's Bad Boy

George, who was by this time quite full of himself, boasted about how he has upstaged his father: "You could've told during rehearsals that I'd be a sensation in this part. Listen, there's nothing to this acting business. I wonder what took me so long to become a star."

The play "Peck's Bad Boy" was made into a film starring Jackie Coogan in 1921. The story for the play and film were based on a series of humorous newspaper stories that first appeared in 1882.

Answer: Little Johnny Jones

"Little Johnny Jones" was a spectacular musical taken from the book, music and lyrics of George M. Cohan. It opened at New York City's Liberty Theater on November 7, 1904. Johnny (George) was accused of misconduct in The Derby horserace in London. The well-loved song "Give My Regards to Broadway" was sung by Johnny as the ship to America was leaving.

As the ship pulled out to sea, Johnny found out that his name had been cleared when a signal rocket was fired from the ship. This good news launched him into a peppy dance on the dock.

Answer: Jeepers Creepers, Where'd Ya Get Those Peepers

Following this scene, Mary and George discussed his return to the stage. Mary already had George packed to go and had already told Sam that she would convince George to return. But, she allowed George to do the convincing.
The song 'Jeepers Creepers' was written in 1938 for the movie 'Going Places' and was performed by Louis Armstrong.

Answer: "My sister thanks you. My mother thanks you. My father thanks you and I thank you."

The Four Cohans became the most highly paid four person act in vaudeville, eventually earning $1000 a week, which was a huge amount of money in the 1890s. When audiences expressed their appreciation through their applause, George responded with a one-line curtain speech that was supposedly invented by another performer making fun of the family's reputation for being close. It became Cohan's lifelong trademark.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you!"

In the movie, George repeated this as his father died and then broke down into sobs of grief.

Answer: Eddie Foy

In this scene, Cohan and Foy traded one-liners, quips and jibes about each other's work. George made fun of Foy's lisp and habit of talking with his hand over his mouth. George: "Pardon me. I didn't quite catch the name. Would you mind spraying it again?" Edwin Fitzgerald (Eddie) Foy (March 9, 1856 - February 16, 1928) was an American vaudeville actor and comedian. Foy had seven children,

The wonderfully classic 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' was awarded three Academy Awards: Best Actor (James Cagney), Best Sound Recording and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. Five other nominations included Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Walter Huston), Best Director, Best Original Story, and Best Film Editing.

I hope you have enjoyed this quiz and the movie as much as I did. If you haven't seen it, you should.