You know, the period of World War I and the Roaring Twenties were really just about the same as today. You worked, and you made a living if you could, and you tired to make the best of things. For an actor or a dancer, it was no different then than today. It was a struggle.
Meaning of the quote
The quote suggests that the experiences of people during World War I and the Roaring Twenties were not much different from today. Back then, people had to work hard to earn a living and make the best of their situations, just as they do now. Even for actors and dancers, life was a constant struggle, both then and today. The overall message is that the human experience of trying to get by and survive has remained quite similar across different eras.
More quotes from James Cagney
Perhaps people, and kids especially, are spoiled today, because all the kids today have cars, it seems. When I was young you were lucky to have a bike.
{mb_by_description:plain}
My father was totally Irish, and so I went to Ireland once. I found it to be very much like New York, for it was a beautiful country, and both the women and men were good-looking.
{mb_by_description:plain}
You know, the period of World War I and the Roaring Twenties were really just about the same as today. You worked, and you made a living if you could, and you tired to make the best of things. For an actor or a dancer, it was no different then than today. It was a struggle.
{mb_by_description:plain}
I got a part as a chorus girl in a show called Every Sailor and I had fun doing it. Mother didn’t really approve of it, through.
{mb_by_description:plain}
You dirty, double-crossing rat.
{mb_by_description:plain}