Cagney returns for tribute

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33445, 29 January 1974, Page 20

Cagney returns for tribute

James Cagney says he is still “just a song-and-dance man” who tap-dances daily to keep in shape, the Associated Press reports. : The craggy-faced actor I will temporarily end 12 years I of retirement on March 13 Ito appear for a tribute by the I American Film Institute at a

black-tie dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. The host at the tribute will be Frank Sinatra. The programme will be the first major public appearance of Cagney since he gave up show business to raise cattle in Duchess County, New York. Cagney, now 71, said he was about 251 b over his hoofing weight of 1501 b. His red hair has turned grey and is thinning, but he has lost none of his bounce and quick wit. He said “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” for which he won an Oscar as best actor in 1942, was his favourite picture. But he added that he never his old films on television except to catch an occasional dance number. “Being an old athlete I like to watch sports on television,” he said. “1 also like the musicals, and watch some drama. “I’ve seen some damn good performances from young kids coming up. They’re much further ahead in technique than we were at that age.” Cagney said he was writing an autobiography. “I'm doing a book now, in self defence. A fellow came out with a book about me—a paste-up job and a piece of junk.” He said the closest he had been to coming out of retirement had been when he was offered the part of Henry Doolittle in “My Fair Lady.”