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"1. The scenes were designed to promote American values for audiences during World War II in Yankee Doodle Dandy. The opening setting is in the White House. The main character is walking up the steps past paintings of American heroes, including George Washington. He enters the Oval Office and sits down across from President Roosevelt. All around are American flags and paintings of successful battles. The Fourth of July Parade in Providence, Rhode Island features everyone waving an American flag and bunting draped from every building. There are happy families cheering wildly as the marching band goes by. All of this combined is very American and very Nationalistic and in keeping with the patriotic and happy family themes of the time period.\n \n\n\n\t2. The dialogue and/or screenplay work to boost American morale as well. In the opening scene, the African American butler mentions when he saw the main character several years ago, he was \"Singing and dancing about the grand old flag.\" That sets the tone for what's to come. This continues in the Oval Office scene with Cohan telling President Roosevelt, \"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy. Always carrying a flag in a parade or following one.\" The President later responds with, \"You've spent your life telling all the other 47 states what  great country this is!\" He even mentions Irish Americans and that they \"Carry the love of flag right out in the open.\" Everyone is included and very proud to be American. \n \n\n\n\t3. If the film had opened with the Fourth of July Parade in Providence, Rhode Island instead of opening with FDR in the Oval Office, I think it wouldn't have been as powerful as a biographical musical. The fact that Cohan is sitting across from FDR in the Oval Office is significant. FDR was an incredible patriot and world leader. He united the country and promoted American values. Cohan helped with this and it's an inspiring message that FDR acknowledges him and his efforts. A parade is nice, but definitely not as powerful or as personal as a sincere thank you from one of the most influential presidents in American History. This opening scene in the Oval Office definitely sets a more powerful tone as a biographical musical. \n "
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