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Though he made his name as the ultimate tough guy in a series of gangster flicks at Warner Bros., James Cagney began his career as a hoofer and comedian in vaudeville. He got a chance to

return to his song-and-dance roots in 1942’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” which airs Monday at 5 p.m. on TCM. The role of famed composer, singer, dancer and actor George M. Cohan fit the

bantam-sized, energetic Cagney like a glove, especially in the rousing musical numbers “Give My Regards to Broadway.” Cagney won his only lead actor Oscar for his larger-than-life

performance. The real Cohan saw a private screening before his death from cancer in 1942 at the age of 64. MORE TO READ