George M. Cohan

Highest Rated: 100% Sons of the Desert (1933)

Lowest Rated: 91% Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

Birthday: Jul 3, 1878

Birthplace: Providence, Rhode Island, USA

A brash, jaunty songwriter and performer whose lasting contribution to Americana includes the songs "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "Over There," George M. Cohan virtually brought the Broadway musical into the 20th Century single-handedly. Before him, most musicals and comedies were either imported from Europe or based on European ideals. Cohan invented the wise-cracking, fast-talking show which eventually influenced the screwball comedy films of the 1930s and 40s.

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