Video: 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' trailer

(Friday, May 29, 1942) — Yankee Doodle Dandy, a biographical musical film about George M. Cohan, known as “The Man Who Owns Broadway,” premiered tonight during a war-bonds benefit at the Hollywood Theatre in New York.

Directed by Michael Curtiz, the film stars James Cagney as George M. Cohan, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston and Richard Whorf.

The film won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (James Cagney), Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Sound, Recording (Nathan Levinson). It was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Walter Huston), Best Director, Best Film Editing for George Amy, Best Picture and Best Writing, Original Story.