My recent visit to West Point with my son, Colin, a few weeks ago brought back a memory that made me laugh...once again. Here I was, seated in the same Thayer Auditorium, as I had been 35 years ago when the following event unfolded:
When I was a Plebe I snuck into an upper-classmen's invitation-only event at which the famed actor James Cagney spoke about his long career in the film industry, especially his roles as the original "Public Enemy". Johnny Depp, take note...
When the Q & A time opened up, I couldn't help myself....
I raised my hand and Mr. Cagney called on me. Knowing that he was so well known as a gangster and hoodlum in his earlier Hollywood film days, I struck the best possible stand and began an impersonation of James Cagney (that I could muster) and I asked him this question to his face:
"Mr. Cagney, did you ever say - in any of your movies - this line: " You Dirty Rat, you're the guy that killed my brudda...""
The Academy auditorium became silent. Mr. Cagney stepped away from his Directors Chair and moved slowly but gingerly to the center of the stage.
"Young man, I have had Rich Little imitate me, Frank Gorshen imitate me...I have had Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr imitate me. I have even had Jimmy Stewart and Jerry Lewis imitate me....and by far...yours is the worst imitation of me that I have ever been forced to sit through...and by the way, I never said: "You Dirty Rat"", he winked and then with the quick and mischievous smile, resumed his place in his high-backed Director's Chair.
The place fell to pieces with laughter. Well, with the 4th of July just around the corner, I revert to my West Point tradition. I ALWAYS break out my West Point songs on tape and blast them from the front room stereo into the front yard and into the lives of all who desire to do (or NOT do) fireworks at my house...or other homes on our street.
So here's a little Jimmy Cagney and West Point for you to view ... and here's a little of the company I kept when I imitated the man, the myth, the gangster, the original Public Enemy....
Den
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