BEST FOURTH OF JULY MOVIES

Here’s a roundup of some of t he best movies that take place on July 4.

“Yankee Doodle Dandy” (1942) One of the true Warner Bros. classics, this biography of master “born on the Fourth of July” showman George M. Cohan boasts one of screen history’s truly iconic performances as James Cagney – rightfully awarded an Oscar for his work here – does alternately energetic and, particularly in the home stretch, quietly affecting work. The film was released just a few months before Cohan’s death, and it’s said that he saw and enjoyed Cagney’s portrayal.

“The Music Man” (1962) Though it’s ultimately about more than Independence Day, the holiday does figure into Meredith Willson’s wonderfully tuneful musical that boasts a career defining performance by Robert Preston as “Professor” Harold Hill, the con artist who promises Iowa townsfolk that he’ll organize a marching band. The piece’s heaping helping of nostalgic American life remains irresistible.

“1776” (1972) With its title and theme, this surely merits inclusion here. Produced by former studio mogul Jack L. Warner, who was no stranger to patriotic movies, this adaptation of the stage hit – retaining much of the original Broadway cast, very much to its credit – gave a musical slant to the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Adams (played by William Daniels), Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva), Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) and others.

“Jaws” (1975) The centerpiece of the blockbuster thriller that put director Steven Spielberg on the map is the July 4th celebration on New England’s Amity Island, whose profitminded mayor (Murray Hamilton) refuses to issue warnings about the Great White shark that has started to decimate the population. He comes to regret that decision ... as do Police Chief Martin Brody, hunter Quint and shark expert Matt Hooper (Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss), who become seafaring partners in tracking down the lethal marauder.

“Blown Away” (1994) Not a traditional Fourth of July movie, this melodrama about old enemies who bring their battle from Ireland to Boston still uses the holiday in a major way, since Beantown’s traditional Independence Day concert factors hugely into the climactic sequence. A terrorist (Tommy Lee Jones) comes to America to target a former comrade turned Boston cop (Jeff Bridges), and the latter’s new wife (Suzy Amis) just happens to be one of the musicians performing in the concert.

“Independence Day” (1996) Well, of course. This earthlings-vs.-aliens adventure is a July 4th natural, and the title still does represent a battle for freedom ... if much more sophisticated technically than what our nation’s forefathers experienced. Bill Pullman (as the U.S. president), Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox and Judd Hirsch are among the stars – but as a fighter pilot, Will Smith makes a particular impact, thanks to his frequently humorous rejoinders upon being “Independence Day” attacked by extraterrestrials.