Yankee Doodle Dandy / George M. Cohan

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It was difficult to find a title, because at first I wanted to write only about this magical book, 'James Cagney Was My Babysitter', but just a few days ago we got new (I mean old but it was brand new for us, David's fans) video from 1981 when David was a star of 'Little Johnny Jones'.

Wonderful video, posted by the original broadcaster (CBS8 News in San Diego) on its own You Tube channel. Amazing quality, there is an interview and first of all some fragments from the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iPal9HvGq8

What a voice! And it was live! You hear clearly every single sound, he was 100% pro. And what's more it was the opening night for 'Little Johnny Jones' at Fox Theater in San Diego. The first David's performance at the musical theatre after 12 years! Someone wrote in comments that he didn't smile while dancing. Of course he didn't, he was in pain.

'Little Johnny Jones' was written by George M. Cohan in 1904, the musical was inspired by adventures of Tod Sloan, an American jockey who had gone to London to take part in the English Derby. In the 40s a famous film version was made called 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' with James Cagney. It was a huge challenge for Davd, but also a chance for a fresh start and a possible return on Broadway. James Cagney was a tap dancer, David first of all was an actor and a singer. He was working very hard with a choreographer, a vocal coach and he had tap lessons. Just a few days before the premiere David fractured his toe, but was determined (against doctor's advice) to perform..

David spent 6 months on the road, performing 8 times a week. He toured with his dear friend, Sam Hyman. Both were broke, it was like the 70s, the stardom, fame and money happened in another life, those insane years long gone and forgotten.

The show had mixed reviews, and David was compared to James Cagney. Besides n the 80s the show looked very old fashioned, and some critics called it aged, racist and dull. In some reviews David's performance was called pleasant, and enthusiastic, that he could sing (better than Cagney in my opinion), but he wasn't good enough, and of course, not James Cagney.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4ze_OB1I5k

James Cagney. Even I heard about him when I was a teen living behind the Iron Curtain. But of course I had no idea he was Jack Cassidy's and Shirley Jones' friend. And that one day he would babysit 7-year old Ryan Cassidy.

I'm sooo happy I bought this book in West Orange, in July.  And I bought it at the very last moment, at our the 70s thamed party, that's why the co-author Johnny Ray Miller added the word 'Peace!' when he signed the book for me. There is also Ryan Cassidy's signature, making the book even more precious.

It's beautifully edited. high quality mulitcoloured paper, a book font just great for a kid book. excellent format for reading together with a child. Outstanding photographs of James Cagney, Shirley Jones, Jack Cassidy and Ryan Cassidy. Magical illustrations by Andrea Carvajal. The book is 'for the child who lives in all of us'. This is adult Ryan Cassidy who tells us this story but at the same time he is again 7 year old. The way the book is written, the story, the language, are understandable for young and old readers. Anyone with imagination will appreciate this magical book.

This is an interview with Ryan Cassidy and Johnny Ray Miller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F54ot4ddhL0

The pic - The promo pic of David Cassidy, The Official Website of David Cassidy

And of course the link for The Stone for David 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/david-cassidy-stone-unveiling-and-ceremony?



 

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