The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-26
Walter WinchelI.
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YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
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YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
 Along Broadway, George M. Cohan Is known as the 7nan who added the red and blue to the Great White Way .. Because he was the first to use the American flag on the stage and "stop the show" with it, he's often been kidded about his flag waving. Once, when Mir. Cohal1 was booked in st. Louis, a local paper ran Q cartoon of Uncle Sem addressing the populace. The caption read: Fly your flag; Co., hans in town"
 Several years ago a friend, trying to get c rise out of him, said: Way ing the flag is the oldest trick in show business"
 ''It's old" was Cohan's reply, "be- cause started 1t twenty years agol" .. Then he added: 'The only dif- ference between my in1itators and me Is that I'm on the square about MI"
 The most prolific worker in the- atrical history, Cohan was the first man who ever turned out musical comedies single-handed. Beginning with 'Little Johnny Jones'" he wrote the book, the music and lyrics, staged the dances, rehearsal the cast and orchestra, arranged settings and costumes, and played in them :. He wrote over 100 plays in his time When "Iittle Johnny Jones" clicked at the New York Theater, A. L. Erlanger approached him about writing a play for Fay Templeton 'Think you could could write 8 play without flag?" Erlanger asked T could write a play" retorted Conan, without anything but pencil"
 He never had any patience with the so-called arty crowd. A high- brow dramatist once asked him, On what lines do you usually construct your plays?" <. He retorted, Most ly on the Pennsylvania and New York Central"
 Coian always was amused when critics rapped him. He saved the pannings. His favorite is the one his Yankee Prince" received in Seattle A critic there wrote: "I have been informed that George M. Cohan can write play in 24 hours. After seeing The Yankee Prince I have no reason to believe otherwise"
 Conan grew up in vaudeville, ape bearing from the age of eight with his father, mother and sister in an act known as 'The Four Cohars." Onc@ when they were playing date at D. F. Keith's Bijou in Boston, 1t was raining and the theater was empty. George filled the house by going outside and shouting at pass ersty: "Way pay dollar for an umbrella? Go inside and keep dry for Q dinel"
 Several years ago, after 8 great deal of persuasion, Collan was sold on the idea of going to Hollywood to star in picture for Paramount. On his first day at the studio, when he entered the Nlnchroom, Q song writer jumped up from a table and rushed forward to greet him. Con- gratulations, Georgel" exclaimed the guy. pumping Cohan'S hand. were going to make you the American Chevalierl'
 In "Yankee Doodle Dandy" War nerS' thrilllm-film about Cohan's life, this true incident is repro- duced. Popularity" Cohan's first and only fopperoo, was recognized by everyone connected with 1t as 8 turkey the night 1t opened. As Cohan was starring in anotAer show on Broadway at the time, he waited in his dressing room for 6 report on the premiere from Sam Harris, his partner. After hearing what Harris had to say, Conan merely smiled and wrote out an ad> for the morn- ing papers. He proved that he was a champ when the New York news papers, next day, carried a half- page cd In bold type which read:
 "TO the Theater-gOing Public of New York City: I hSlmbly apologize and beg forgiveness for writing and producing SO poor a play as "POpu- larity.' Last performances PLEASE MISS IT. (Signed) George M. Conan"
 Shortly after ''Popularity" flopped as g play, Cohan turned 1t into a musical, and the new version be- came an immediate smash hit. The day the rave notices appeared, Co., han dropped into the Lambs Club and overheard another playwright loudly discussing "Collan's latest lucky break" ;. Sure. its all luck" sQuelched Cohaa. That's what l keep saying to myself while I'm walking the floor nights reading the carpet, studying the ceiling, try ing to pluck ideas out of the air, running from one rehearsal to an. other, playing eight performances a week and dancing my head off at the same time. Of course it's all luck. I'm lucky to be able to do 1t all and keep alivel"
 Cohan always summed up his for- mula for SWriting 6 play in this manner: "In the first act, get your hero up 6 tree. In the second act, throw rocks at him. In the third