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The Band Wagon
1953
One of the most subtle and sophisticated of the musical comedies that came out of MGM's Arthur Freed Unit in the '40s and '50s, The Band Wagon stars Fred Astaire as Tony Hunter, a movie star whose career is in a downturn. Looking for a boost, Tony decides to try starring in a Broadway musical. His friends Lester and Lily Marton .. Read more
| Starring | Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Jack Buchanan, Oscar Levant |
|---|---|
| Director | Vincente Minnelli |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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This clever and witty backstage musical with its great Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz score is a screen original from writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green (the Singin' in the Rain team). It boasts brilliant direction from Vincente Minnelli and fabulous Technicolor production design, and to many marks the peak of Fred Astaire's screen work. Astaire is stunning as he partners the gorgeous Cyd Charisse in Dancing in the Dark (Gene Kelly's own favourite Astaire number) and the Mickey Spillane parody The Girl Hunt ballet superbly choreographed by Michael Kidd and Oliver Smith. British veteran Jack Buchanan is cleverly cast, and Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray effectively play Green and Comden themselves. This is as good as musicals get.
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Simple but sophisticated musical with the bare minimum of plot, told mostly in jokes, and the maximum of music and song. Numbers include those listed below, as well as a spoof Mickey Spillane ballet finale. Level of technical accomplishment very high.
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One of Minnelli's best musicals, with an ingenious book which has Buchanan as a highbrow producer trying to turn... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
'That's Entertainment'
In respects, a much underrated film. This is a very enjoyable film to watch and easy on the eyes and ears. Great Comedy from all the cast.
Basically a Vincente Minelli classic.
The Bonus Disc is well worth the effort. An axcellent documentary on Minelli there too. The Feature disc also has a worthwhile audio commentary. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Fred Astaire at his best!
A fading star from Hollywood comes back to New York to try his luck. An over-the-top producer/director takes him on and tries to turn him into a great dramatic actor. Of course it all fails because the fading star is Fred Astaire and when he takes over producing the show the scene is set for some wonderful dancing. In Grand Central Park he and Cyd Charisse dance so beautifully it brings a lump to your throat! Go on - enjoy yourself and never mind the story. Jack Buchanan is so over-the-top that he will bring back memories of the 1930s on the London stage, and the youngest can join with the oldest in having a great time.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not quite up there with An American in Paris, but well worth revisiting
If this had been Minnelli's only film he still would have been hailed as one of cinema's greats and this film would be in every list of top 100 movies. But because Minnelli had so many hits and produced so much that is now in the canon of classic cinema, this one tends to get overlooked in favour of his supreme musical achievement: An American in Paris. The Band Wagon does start on a slower burn, its only got one tune, That's Entertainment, that has really stayed the course of time (although they are all great) and its jazz ballet sequence (The Girl Hunt) never quite manages to reach the exuberance of the jazz ballet sequence in American in Paris. Despite all that, there is plenty here to recommend. Astaire is marvellous as usual, especially in the Shoe Shine sequence, it's quite funny in places, and the musical medley towards the end is great. As far as extras are concerned, the feature disc has a commentary which is unlistenable because Liza Minnelli just gushes about how wonderful daddy was from beginning to end, but this is more than made up by some excellent documentaries on the bonus disc. Recommended viewing.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not quite up there with An American in Paris, but well worth revisiting
If this had been Minnelli's only film he still would have been hailed as one of cinema's greats and this film would be in every list of top 100 movies. But because Minnelli had so many hits and produced so much that is now in the canon of classic cinema, this one tends to get overlooked in favour of his supreme musical achievement: An American in Paris. The Band Wagon does start on a slower burn, its only got one tune, That's Entertainment, that has really stayed the course of time (although they are all great) and its jazz ballet sequence (The Girl Hunt) never quite manages to reach the exuberance of the jazz ballet sequence in American in Paris. Despite all that, there is plenty here to recommend. Astaire is marvellous as usual, especially in the Shoe Shine sequence, it's quite funny in places, and the musical medley towards the end is great. As far as extras are concerned, the feature disc has a commentary which is unlistenable because Liza Minnelli just gushes about how wonderful daddy was from beginning to end, but this is more than made up by some excellent documentaries on the bonus disc. Recommended viewing.
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None better!
Technically, this print couldn't be better. No scratches; no bloops; no flaws of any kind. And the melodies are terrific, too. Ace material. How could it be this old?
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
'That's Entertainment'
In respects, a much underrated film. This is a very enjoyable film to watch and easy on the eyes and ears. Great Comedy from all the cast.
Basically a Vincente Minelli classic.
The Bonus Disc is well worth the effort. An axcellent documentary on Minelli there too. The Feature disc also has a worthwhile audio commentary. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Fred Astaire at his best!
A fading star from Hollywood comes back to New York to try his luck. An over-the-top producer/director takes him on and tries to turn him into a great dramatic actor. Of course it all fails because the fading star is Fred Astaire and when he takes over producing the show the scene is set for some wonderful dancing. In Grand Central Park he and Cyd Charisse dance so beautifully it brings a lump to your throat! Go on - enjoy yourself and never mind the story. Jack Buchanan is so over-the-top that he will bring back memories of the 1930s on the London stage, and the youngest can join with the oldest in having a great time.
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not quite up there with An American in Paris, but well worth revisiting
If this had been Minnelli's only film he still would have been hailed as one of cinema's greats and this film would be in every list of top 100 movies. But because Minnelli had so many hits and produced so much that is now in the canon of classic cinema, this one tends to get overlooked in favour of his supreme musical achievement: An American in Paris. The Band Wagon does start on a slower burn, its only got one tune, That's Entertainment, that has really stayed the course of time (although they are all great) and its jazz ballet sequence (The Girl Hunt) never quite manages to reach the exuberance of the jazz ballet sequence in American in Paris. Despite all that, there is plenty here to recommend. Astaire is marvellous as usual, especially in the Shoe Shine sequence, it's quite funny in places, and the musical medley towards the end is great. As far as extras are concerned, the feature disc has a commentary which is unlistenable because Liza Minnelli just gushes about how wonderful daddy was from beginning to end, but this is more than made up by some excellent documentaries on the bonus disc. Recommended viewing.
-
None better!
Technically, this print couldn't be better. No scratches; no bloops; no flaws of any kind. And the melodies are terrific, too. Ace material. How could it be this old?
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The Band Wagon
I loved everything about this film: the music; the dancing, the dresses Cyd Charisse wore! She was such a wonderful dancer. 'Dancing in the Dark' with her and Fred Astaire was one of the most beautiful and romantic dance sequences ever.
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Critics' reviews (3)
-
This clever and witty backstage musical with its great Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz score is a screen original from writers Betty Comden and Adolph Green (the Singin' in the Rain team). It boasts brilliant direction from Vincente Minnelli and fabulous Technicolor production design, and to many marks the peak of Fred Astaire's screen work. Astaire is stunning as he partners the gorgeous Cyd Charisse in Dancing in the Dark (Gene Kelly's own favourite Astaire number) and the Mickey Spillane parody The Girl Hunt ballet superbly choreographed by Michael Kidd and Oliver Smith. British veteran Jack Buchanan is cleverly cast, and Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray effectively play Green and Comden themselves. This is as good as musicals get.
-
Simple but sophisticated musical with the bare minimum of plot, told mostly in jokes, and the maximum of music and song. Numbers include those listed below, as well as a spoof Mickey Spillane ballet finale. Level of technical accomplishment very high.
-
One of Minnelli's best musicals, with an ingenious book which has Buchanan as a highbrow producer trying to turn... read more on Time Out
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One of the most subtle and sophisticated of the musical comedies that came out of MGM's Arthur Freed Unit in the '40s and '50s, The Band Wagon stars Fred Astaire as Tony Hunter, a movie star whose ... -
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