Farms: The Cottage James Cagney lived & died in. Stanfordville, NY (3/30/2010)
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The quaint little stone farm cottage in Stanfordville, New York where acting mega legend James Cagney lived from 1952 - until 1986 (his death.) He had it built for he and his wife, along with another little separate house for his Assistant/House Keeper (which was since torn down.) "Verney Farm" (a combination of his and her last names.) He died peacefully in this cottage on the morning of Easter Sunday, March 30th,1986. The house used to have a patio in the front, looking out onto the lake, where Jimmy would sit and have coffee and read, but was taken down a few years ago. He raised Beef Cattle here. This clip was taken on 3/30/2010. The 24th anniversary of his death. This is private/protected property, and although the house is partially visible from the street, people can't get this close. I was allowed by Security, to follow them onto the property for a few minutes. It was freezing and pouring rain. It was a wonderful moment to peek into the windows and see where one of the greatest actor of all time, spent his middle-age to golden years.
Comments
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isn't this the same house that (as he states in his autobiography) that he actually built?
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What amazes me is how long he was married to Billie- what an incredible couple they must have been.
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Beautiful video and story!
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Brilliant !!!
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Cagney used to eat in the Howard Johnson's on main street in Poughkeepsie. My ex-wife's mother was a waitress there and recalled him very well. His business manager, Marge Zimmermann owned a small bar near Vassar College called "The Dutch Cabin" and his portrait was above the fireplace. He was the best that ever was, I have never seen him give a bad performance in any film he was ever in. Like Mitchum, he made it look easy. A total pro!
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As Mr. Cagney would say along with the Bowery Boys beat it flat foot, whatta you know, whatta you say......... RIP sir
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I love James, so handsome, love his films, my favourite of all time, no one beats him. He is adorable and loved him since I was a teenager and collected his films, ideal is his home, modest and charming and lovely, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Loved to drive by his house in Dutchess and see the old Rolls Royce on the property. If he had lived his final years in the city I am certain he would have chosen Calvary in the city to be buried but Gate of Heaven in Valhalla in Westchester is where he is laid to rest.
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Alot of people dont get it, they think that because Mr Cagney was a mega star that there is no way he could live in a small cottage. Guess what people the small cottage you see in this clip is indeed the home he built and lived in. it was on the patio that is no longer there that i sat with him and drank ice tea. it was his love and his passion for the country that he enjoyed and not some fluffed up beverly hills mansion. he did not like hollywood or california. he loved the country side.
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Great story, Robert, thanks for sharing it, Cagney is one of my film icons and always seemed like the kind of guy who would invite a fan into his home.
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I can tell you that I was out looking for his home 2 years before he passed and as we drove up on it we saw him and billie sitting outside, my friend and I stopped and I got out of my car and approached the house, he said can I help you and I said, just a fan and wanted to meet you, he was pleased and asked us to join him so we sat with him for almost an hour. Sadly all of my photos from that day have gone missing but it was truly a day burned in my memory for ever.
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i SO love his movies, esp. "1,2,3" & "something to sing about"! james cagney is nothing less than the BEST!!
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I wonder if a carload of teenagers ever drove up to the home while Mr. Cagney was relaxing in a hammock and they needed water for their car and he found himself explaining who he was? ;)
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Wow...52 comments! happy that people care.
Nice place, but way smaller than I would have thought.
Only one Cagney! -
Family? Hmm, he had his children live in a building separate from the house.
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Geeze, My house is bigger than Cagney`s and I`m poor and on food stamps.
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Thank you for giving us a glimpse of this amazing performer's/man's real world. Certainly gives one a more intimate feeling of connection. Thanks again.
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Hi , i'm guiding myself by the aerial view which shows the property next to lake
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Love the story of how the director said, ' This guy is miscast, HE should be playing the lead not the sidekick.' and so began the career for Jimmy in his first gangster picture- Public Enemy. If you can't become an early film buff from a few films like this you don't have a pulse.
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Very cool