Made in 1981, which was Jimmy Cagney's last film, in which heplayed the part of a police commissioner?
James Cagney favorite pastimes, including horseback riding and dancing, and as he became more depressed, he even gave up painting. Encouraged by his wife and Zimmermann, Cagney accepted an offer from the director Miloš Forman to star in a small but pivotal role in the film "Ragtime" (1981). This film was shot mainly at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England, and on his arrival at Southampton aboard the "Queen Elizabeth 2", Cagney was mobbed by hundreds of fans. Cunard Line officials, who were responsible for the security at the dock, said they had never seen anything like it, although they had experienced past
Jimmy the Gent (film) about the assignment. Cagney had the sides of his head shaved for the film, without the knowledge of either director Michael Curtiz or studio unit head Hal B. Wallis. Curtiz was stunned when he saw the haircut, and Wallis took it personally. Bette Davis did not appreciate it either, and refused to have publicity pictures taken with Cagney. "Jimmy the Gent" did well at the box office, and the critical response was positive as well. In his review in "The New York Times", Mordaunt Hall described the film as "a brisk, slangy piece of work in which Mr. Cagney is