I call it a hit. What'll your review say?
-I like it too, so I guess I’ll pan it. -That's logical.
My publisher resents Cohan impersonating the president of the U.S.
Says our young readers dream of being president.
“I’d rather be right than be president.” Cohan may find out he isn't either one.
-See how George does it at his age. -I remember him when I was little.
Congratulations, George, old boy. You did a great job.
-Thanks. -Congratulations, Mr. Cohan.
-You had him down to a tee. -But we're still on dangerous ground.
Imitating the president, a lot of people won't like it.
It’s good, clean fun. Didn't they enjoy it in Boston?
Never could do anything wrong in Boston.
Greatest man in the U.S. played by the greatest actor. Nothing wrong with that.
Especially when the greatest actor is my husband.
-This could be treason. -A dollar-a-year man will take care of you.
A lot of them would like to shoot actors.
Save these telegrams. Government needs paper.
You've got a list with everybody but Hirohito.
-We'll bring him in. -Here's the one I sent.
-Will you read our cleverness? -What makes you think I didn't?
I didn't know there was that much love left in the entire Western Union codebook.
Hold that. Thank you. Thank you.
-Don't bother me. -It’s from the White House.
-Well, that bothers me. -Here.
You read it. These aren't my reading glasses.
“George M. Cohan, The Alvin Theater, New York.
The president requests that you call upon him at your earliest convenience…
…in regard to a personal matter.
Kindly reply for definite appointment at White House.
Stephen T. Early, secretary to the president.”
There you are, Sam. There you are. What did I tell you?
Coming at a time like this, with everything on his mind…
…this is not just a casual invitation. This is important.
-I think we're in trouble. -Don't worry.
They don't telegraph you to come and be shot at sunrise.
-He doesn't get up that early. -I’ve got a run-of-the-play contract.
Fine time to make lame jokes.
I’m worried, Sam.
I’m really worried.
Halt!
-What can I do for you? -I’ve got an appointment.
-The name, please? -Cohan. George M. Cohan.
All right, sir. If you'll wait just one moment, I’ll call.
This is Sgt. Lewis at the Pennsylvania Avenue gate…
-Good evening, Mr. Cohan. -Good evening.
-We've been expecting you. -Thank you.
Why, your coat's wet.
-Didn't you come in a car? -No, I walked up from the station.
Washington's a great town to walk in. Always get a kick out of it.
Yes, indeed. Won't you come with me?
I was supposed to be off duty this evening, Mr. Cohan…
…but when I heard you was coming, l thought I’d like to see if you look the same.
-That depends on when you saw me last. -It must have been 30-some years ago.
I was valet for Teddy Roosevelt.
He got me a seat up in the gallery. The play was George Washington Jr…
…and you was just singing and dancing all about the grand old flag.
Mr. Teddy used to sing it in his bathtub.
-It was a good old song in its day. -It was.
And it's just as good today as it ever was.
Come in.
Well, hello there. How's my double?
Your double isn't too sure. Give me time to work on that.
-I was told you knew all the answers. -There was a time when I thought so.
-Right now, I wish I did. -Yes, so do I.
-Sit down, Mr. Cohan. -Thanks.
You know, I’m a little bit nervous.
-I’m sorry I missed the opening of your show. -Maybe just as well.
Don't worry about it. We understand each other perfectly.
I think so.
Herald Tribune says that you make a better president in I'd Rather Be Right than I am.
Don't forget, that's a Republican newspaper.
I can remember you and your family very well. The Four Cohans.
Do you really? That's a long time ago.
Yes. It was while I was attending school near Boston.
I was a pretty cocky kid those days. Pretty cocky kid.
A regular Yankee Doodle Dandy. Always carrying a flag in a parade.
-I hope you haven't outgrown the habit. -Not a chance.
That's one thing I always admired about you Irish-Americans.
You carry your love of country like a flag, right out in the open. A great quality.
I inherited that. I got that from my father.
He ran away to the Civil War at 13. Proudest kid in the whole state of Massachusetts.
So you've spent your life telling the other 47 states what a great country it is.
I never thought of it that way before, but that's about the size of it.
And I lost no time either.
It started with a very funny incident about 60 years ago.
It was in Providence, Rhode Island, on the 4th of July.
There weren't so many stars then, in the flag or on the stage…
…but folks knew more were coming.
They were optimistic, happy and expectant.
The beginning of the Horatio Alger age.
My father played in a variety theater, breaking in a single.
No one was more expectant than he was, unless it was Mother.
She was busy on a smaller production.
-Message come yet? -No word, Jerry.
-Take a bow. -I can't. I gotta get out.
-Watch that border! -I gotta find out what's happening.
Oh, for heaven's sake, Jerry.
Take up number three. You're on. Go ahead. Lights up.
-Bye, Sally. -You can't run through the streets in that.
-They'll put you in jail. -They'll have to catch me.
-Don't forget, you're on again at 4:15. -Don't worry, I’ll be back.
-These things take hours sometimes. -My wife never held up a show in her life.
-Can I get through here? -The Irish are up in the head of the parade.
-I’m not in the parade. I wanna get through. -Not a chance, brother.
You don't say! We'll get you there in a jiffy.
Here, this'll give you courage. Charge!
Nellie.
-She all right? -She's fine.
What is it?
Well, all signs point to its being a boy.
He just got here, and he's sleeping already.
All babies sleep 20 hours a day.
That's why most never amount to anything.
-What'll we call him? -I don't know.
-What do you say? -Seeing that he arrived on the 4th of July…
…what about George Washington Cohan?
Has a nice patriotic ring to it. What do you think?
The George is fine, but the Washington may be too long for a billboard.
How about a nice, short Irish name? Dennis or Michael.
George Michael Cohan.
Yes, I like that name.
Gosh, I forgot.
Hey! It’s a boy!
Oh, Jerry.
Heavenly day, Nellie, he's crying with a brogue.
The first thing I ever had in my fist was the American flag.
I hitched my wagon to 38 stars and 13 stripes.
I was 6 or 7 before I realized they weren't celebrating my birthday on the 4th of July.
Then my folks had a real break when my little sister, Josie, made her entrance.
She grew to love show business just as she loved everybody and everything.
We toured the kerosene circuit on a show called Daniel Boone on the Trail.
Everybody doubled in brass. Dad walloped the bass drum.
They teamed me with a donkey. I was a good Democrat even in those days.
Mother and Josie threw out handbills.
Their smiles would've sold tickets to wooden Indians.
They kept putting new stars in the flag, and the Cohans kept rushing out to meet them.
We had jokes to match every cornfield. We sang at every milk station.
We trouped through depression and inflation, part of the country's growing pains.
Froze in winter, and roasted in summer.
But it was a good life.
It's a lucky family that dances together every day.
1891 found our fortunes flat as a pancake.
Then came jobs for the whole family in a show called Peck's Bad Boy.
We opened in Brooklyn.
The town was known for spirited audiences even before it had a ball team.
--hammering on opening night! What are you doing here?
-I’m the star of this play. -You have the leading part, yes.
That means I’m a star…
…and there should be a star on my dressing-room door. Law of the theater.
-Yes, Jerry, give the devil his due. -I know, but I’m nervous.
I’ll go blank. I won't be able to remember a line.
Don't worry. If you stick, I’ll throw you the line. You too, Mother.
-It’s to jail you're going, me boy. -Oh, there.
Henry's not really a bad boy. He's just mischievous, that's all.
Mr. Schults, that should take care of the damage, don't you think?
Henry, I want you to promise the cop and Mr. Schults…
…that from now on, you will always be a good boy.
I’ll promise, but I can still lick any kid in town!
-Fine work, Georgie. -Thanks.
-Great, Georgie. Great! -Nice going, kid.
-Real piece of acting there. -Son, you're going places.
-Boy, you sure rolled them in the aisles. -Thanks, but why are you surprised?
You could've told during rehearsals that I’d be a sensation.
Listen, there's nothing to this acting business.
I wonder what took me so long to become a star.
Excuse me. Hey! Call rehearsal for 10:00 tomorrow morning.
Jerry, the time has come for George's first spanking.
That's right. I’ll hold him, you hit him.
Not me. I don't hit hard enough to make an impression.
I can't do it. He'd think I’m jealous because he got more laughs.
Don't think I’m not, either.
Several gentlemen to see you outside, Mr. Cohan.
Gentlemen of the press, I presume. It’s started already.
Will you excuse me?
Let's see how tough he is!
Ought to be arrested, every one of those hoodlums.
It seems to me you're taking this very calmly, Jerry.
Your own son almost murdered in cold blood.
The way I figure, it's a fine tribute to Georgie's acting.
The way he plays the part, every tough kid…
…will want to take a punch at Peck's Bad Boy.
What? Have I gotta go through that every night?
Yes. And matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays.