After a thirteen-year absence from the screen, James Cagney proved again what a great entertainment talent he was. At the 1974 AFI Salute to him, his acceptance speech began with laughter and ended with laughter. His performance at the Salute was perfect - well-paced, witty, sardonic, heartfelt, and memorable. In spite of his fame as a movie tough guy, he preferred comedy and made some really funny films. Don't miss the gem, "Jimmy the Gent," with Bette Davis. Regarding the famous line attributed to him -- "You dirty rat," it's true that he did not say those exact words. However, in both "Blonde Crazy" and Taxi," he said variations of that line: In the final scene of "Blonde Crazy," Cagney says to Joan Blondell, "Why, the dirty, double-crossing rat, I'd like to get my hooks on him, I'd tear him to pieces." In the next to the last scene of "Taxi," Cagney finally corners his brother's killer. As he aims his gun at the closed closet door, he says, "Come out and take it, you dirty yellow-bellied rat or I'll give it to you through the door." He closed his 1974 AFI acceptance speech by saying, "And, just in passing, I never said, 'Hmmm, you dirty rat.' What I did say was, 'Judy, Judy, Judy!'" (For those who don't know, that's a reference to Cary Grant.)
AFI Life Achievement Award: AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to James Cagney
(1974)
Cagney and the "dirty rat" line....
Season 1, Episode 2
21 December 2004