The big picture
- Clint Eastwood idolized James Cagney and, despite their different acting styles, considered him his greatest influence as an actor.
- James Cagney’s roles as tough guys in films like The public enemy And incandescent inspired Eastwood’s interest in deconstructing character archetypes.
- Both Eastwood and Cagney have similar careers in terms of their versatility and willingness to experiment with different genres and themes in their films.
In the pantheon of great American actors and movie stars, Clinton Eastwood belongs to the top class. His acting and directing career spanning more than 50 years has spanned countless impactful films that revolutionized genres and the iconography of movie stars. Considering Eastwood is often seen as a tough guy, one would expect his biggest influence to come from a male icon John Wayneor a star representing an idealistic form of Americana, such as James Stewart. By his testimony, and by the manifestation of his filmography, there was no actor Clint Eastwood idolized more than James Cagney.
Why did Clint Eastwood idolize James Cagney?
A widely acclaimed star of classic Hollywood, James Cagney was a typical tough guy himself. He is best known for his roles as enemy gangsters in The public enemy, Angels with dirty facesAnd incandescentThe actor was a versatile talent who also specialized in dance and comedy. He won an Oscar in 1943 for his portrayal of the Broadway legend George M Cohan In Yankee Doodle Dandy. Cagney possessed the traditional masculine beauty, but his piercing eyes and natural command of the screen gave him nuance and depth. Beyond his talents and audience acclaim, Cagney was the face of Hollywood as he held the title President of the Screen Actors Guild in the 1940s.
As the theme of the book, Clint Eastwood: InterviewsIn the book, which includes a variety of interviews the star has given throughout his illustrious career, he talks about his influences as an actor. An interview conducted by Patrick McGilligan from 1976 reveals that James Cagney was not only his greatest influence but also his only actor whom he admired, declaring, “I’ve never been a fan of any particular actor other than James Cagney.”
Eastwood continued his praise by pointing out his fearlessness and lack of concern for maintaining a pristine image on screen – culminating in Cagney shoving a grapefruit in his co-star’s face The public enemy. McGilligan was surprised to find his acting idol of choice, as Cagney’s spasmodic energy counteracts Eastwood’s inner threat and reticence expressed through his performances as “The Man With No Name” and “Dirty” Harry Callahan. Eastwood is drawn to the differences in acting styles as he has said that while he prefers to deviate from expected career plans or artistic choices, he is also emotionally drawn to stories, particularly westerns.
McGilligan cites the question that prompted Clint Eastwood to give credit to James Cagney’s skill in his relationship with John Wayne. “I liked him as a kid, depending on the movie,” he said. Wayne and Eastwood, whose respective images alone shaped American film audiences’ vision of the Wild West, crossed paths in an unhospitable manner. In the ’70s, Eastwood approached Wayne about starring in a movie together.
As the latter was disgusted by the revisionist interpretation of western folklore as a harrowing moral tale Plateau Drifter, He denied this in an angry letter to Eastwood. This “feud” between Eastwood and Wayne signaled a clear artistic and perhaps generational divide between the two. Eastwood’s filmography reveals that he was drawn to the moral gray area between good and evil and the unrest of violence, while Wayne saw himself as a protector of traditional American values and unabashed patriotic justice.
Which James Cagney roles inspired Clint Eastwood?
Additionally, Clint Eastwood’s fascination with deconstructing character archetypes and demystifying American legends can be traced back to t he work exhibited by James Cagney. Just like the star he inspired, Cagney will always be remembered for his tough personality. While his versatility is undeniable, his enduring reputation will come from portraying hot-headed gangsters. His appearance in The public enemy offers more nuance and understanding of the human condition than meets the eye.
As a kid, watching the 1931 gangster classic was a must-see formative experience for sopranos Creator David Chase (Tony Soprano watches the film in the episode “Proshai, Livushka”). The movie is also a favorite of Martin Scorsese‘Sthereby cementing its role as the text that laid the foundation for media portrayals of the criminal underworld in the 90 years since its publication.
Over time, his role as Arthur “Cody” Jarrett increases incandescent will surely leave a lasting legacy. The film, directed by: Raoul Walshfollows the rise and fall of a psychopathic criminal. After breaking out of prison, he plans an elaborate robbery at a chemical plant. The brunt of the dramatic tension lies in Cody’s mother complex. His affection and need for approval from his mother “Ma” Jarrett (Margaret Wycherley), who is just as corrupt as her son, triggers Cody’s urge for hostility and revenge.
Fifty years later, David Chase’s famous HBO series explored a similar psychoanalysis about a powerful crime boss and his overbearing mother. The iconic quote from incandescent, “I did it, Mom! Top of the world!” The story, announced by Cody during the climax of the devastating firefight, conveys the film’s perverse undertones of a brutal gangster burdened with maternal affection.
How were Clint Eastwood and James Cagney’s careers similar?
In the case of incandescent and James Cagney’s influence on Clint Eastwood, the actor-director quickly adopted the artistic identity of a revisionist figure. The western hero, embodied by John Wayne and Gary Cooper Audiences recognized and adored the film, marred with an eerie mystique by Eastwood’s portrayal of lonely gunslingers. Instead of judges of justice, Eastwood’s appearances appear in Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale RiderAnd unforgiven are manifestations of spiritual forces driven by violence.
They may act as Robin Hood-like vigilantes, but they are cursed with a broken soul. Eastwood’s most prominent character, eponymous San Francisco Police Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan, feels born on the template Cagney perfected in the ’30s and ’40s – a ruthless man who obeys no rules or laws. With the seriousness of their respective performances and without didactic text, Cody Jarrett and Harry Callahan comment on the psychology of masculinity, anti-heroism and the burning desire to validate one’s work.
James Cagney’s versatility as a performer of all genres and character archetypes is reflected in Eastwood’s interest in a wide variety of subjects. Eastwood’s acting range was never his trademark, but as a director and actor he has experimented with almost every type of film over the course of his long career. Eastwood was more than just the typical policeman and cowboy of his time, he also dealt with space travel (Space Cowboys), traveling Depression-era country musicians (honkytonk man), Dual War Movies from Opposite Sides of the Struggle (flags of our fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima) and biographies of complicated American figures (Bird, American sniper).
Through James Cagney’s irrepressible energy and Clint Eastwood’s controlled threat, the two legendary stars allowed the stereotypical tough guy to blossom into wounded souls on screen. At the same time, their brutality and intensity have never been compromised. The differences between Cagney and Eastwood only underscore their character qualities and genre deconstruction. While many may be surprised that Clint Eastwood doesn’t follow the same path as John Wayne, James Cagney’s influence is just as believable. After all, cinematic legends arise only as a result of work solidified by previous legends.