gangster & comic as hoofers

Here's a clip from "The Seven Little Foys" (1955) showing James Cagney, Hollywood's greatest gangster and star of "White Heat," all-time greatest gangster movie; and Bob Hope, most beloved stand-up comic and comedic actor, doing what they were trained to do, early on. Cagney was 56, Hope was 52 when they did this scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOoNOs8Ql28

I remember hearing that Cagney was in a great deal of pain due to back problems during the filming of this scene. He had to literally be tightly corseted under his clothing.

But, absolute professional that he was, he soldiered on and never once is this visible on-camera.

Cagney was definitely of the Old School. He was magnificent.


Signor V.