Cagney had learned from a colleague of a role in a upcoming production called 'Every Sailor'. It was a war time play in which the chorus is made up of servicemen dressed as women. He got the role. Cagney description of the role was: "For there I am not myself. I am not the fellow, Jim Cagney, at all. I certainly lost consciousness of him when I put on skirts, wig, paint, powder, feathers, and spangles."
If Cagney's mother had her way, Cagney would of gone back to college instead of performing. She was proud of her son's performances but thought getting an education was more important. In deference to his mother's worries, Cagney got a job as a brokerage house runner. It didn't stop him from looking for more stage work. Cagney successfully audition for a chorus part in 'Pitter Patter'. 'Pitter Patter' wasn't successful but it did good enough to run 32 weeks. It allowed Cagney to join the vaudeville circuit.
One of the troupers that Cagney joined was Parker, Rand, and Leach, taking over the latter position when Archie Leach left. (Archie Leach would later change his name to Cary Grant.)
In 1924, Cagney moved to Hawthorne, California with his new wife, Frances Wilford "Billie" Vernon, to investigate the possibility of breaking into the movies and to meet his mother-in-law. They weren't very successful at first. Cagney had set up a dance studio with a few clients but it folded. After a while, Cagney and his wife decided to move back to New York. They went the way of Chicago to Milwaukee in hopes of making money along the way but failed in the attempt.
In 1925, Cagney got his first non-dancing role in a play called 'Outside Looking In' as a tough guy. The play got good reviews. After the play ran its course, Cagney went back to vaudeville for a couple of years. He received varied success. During this period, Cagney met George M. Cohen, who he would later portray in 'Yankee Doodle Dandy'.
Cagney later secured the lead role in the play 'Broadway'. The show's management insisted he copy Broadway's lead Lee Tracy. Cagney was uncomfortable doing. When the play headed for England, Cagney got replaced. Cagney was devastated and decided he was quitting show biz.
Cagney didn't quit show biz for long. The Cagney's were doing run-by-the-play contracts. they were doing chorus lines. During this time, Cagney established a dance school for professionals, which got him appointed the choreographer in 'Grand Street Follies of 1928', Cagney got a part in 'Maggie the Magnificent'. The critics didn't like the play but did love Cagney's performance.
Joan Blondell played opposite of Cagney in 'Maggie the Magnificent' then would star again with him a few months later in 'Penny Arcade'. Al Jolson sensing a potential film success with 'Penny Arcade', bought the rights for $20,000. He then sold it to Warner Brothers with the stipulation that Cagney and Blondell be cast in the film version. The film version was retitled 'Sinners' Holiday'. The studio liked Cagney so much they gave him a three week contract which turned into a seven year contract.
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