The Band Wagon (1953) | |
| Director(s) | Vincente Minnelli |
| Producer(s) | Roger Edens (associate), Arthur Freed |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Musical, Romance |
| Top Topics | Broadway, Show Business |
Featured Cast:
The Band Wagon Overview:
The Band Wagon (1953) was a Comedy - Musical Film directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by Arthur Freed and Roger Edens.
SYNOPSIS
Fading movie musical star Tony Hunter (Astaire), down and out in Hollywood, decides to try his luck on the Broadway stage. Unfortunately, the simple hoofer discovers that a pretentious director has control of the project, and that instead of good humor, happy songs, and a tapping chorus line, there'll be lengthy speeches, heavy drama, and lots of deep soul-searching. Even worse, Tony's expected to dance with a classical ballerina (Charisse). The play, to no one's surprise, lays an egg. But now Tony takes charge, and he's out to prove the show must go on - his way! Some of the dazzling Astaire-Charisse dance numbers include "Triplets," "Girl Hunt," "Dancing in the Dark," and "That's Entertainment."
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Band Wagon was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1995.
Academy Awards 1953 --- Ceremony Number 26 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Costume Design | Mary Ann Nyberg | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Adolph Deutsch | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Betty Comden, Adolph Green | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
The Band Wagon (1953) with Fred & Cyd
By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 18, 2020 From 4 Star FilmsSome may recall the opening titles of Top Hat (1935). They play over a man’s hat only for the head under it to move as the names subside, and we find Fred Astaire under its brim in his coat and tails. Now, well nigh 20 years later, the same imagery is being called upon. There’s an auctio... Read full article
Return of the One-Armed Swordsman (1969) + The Band Wagon (1953) redux
By Beatrice on Apr 27, 2020 From Flickers in TimeReturn of the One-Armed Swordsman (Du bei dao wang) Directed by Cheh Chang Written by Cheh Chang Hong Kong/1969 IMDb link First viewing/Amazon Prime Just a fun wuxia movie to distract nicely from Lockdown. This is a sequel to The One-Armed Swordsman (1967). ?At the end of that film, our hero (Jimm... Read full article
The Band Wagon (1953)
By Beatrice on Nov 1, 2015 From Flickers in TimeThe Band Wagon Directed by Vicente Minnelli Written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green 1953/USA Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Repeat viewing/from my DVD collection #266 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I have loved this movie for decades. ?Yesterday’s viewing did nothing to change my opinio... Read full article
Why I never joined The Band Wagon...
By BG Voita on Jan 18, 2015 From Classic Reel GirlWhen I signed up to write an anti-Band Wagon post, I was a little nervous. Images of angry dancing gods Down to Earth-style floated in my head. How dare I speak badly about the pairing of two dancing greats: Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire. I have revisited The Band Wagon (1953) many times ov... Read full article
The Band Wagon (1953)
By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 7, 2014 From 4 Star FilmsGoing into this film I must admit that despite hearing good things, I had zero expectations. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this Minnelli musical, because it was a deft and often beautiful production. Channeling the same vein as Singin’ in the Rain and The Red Shoes, this film is a s... Read full article
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Quotes from
Stagehand: You got more scenery in this show than there is in Yellowstone National Park!
Gabrielle Gerard: That's an early Degas, isn't it?
[examines painting]
Gabrielle Gerard: 1877...
Tony Hunter: [playing up their age difference] Yeah, I swiped it from his desk in school. Was he sore...
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Facts about
"Two-Faced Woman," a Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz number showcasing Cyd Charisse (with Oscar Levant on piano), was cut from this movie. Charisse's song (dubbed by India Adams) and dance, along with footage of her rehearsing, are encountered on the DVD from Warner Home Video. The Adams and Levant audio finds a spot on Rhino's soundtrack CD. Later that year in Torch Song, the prerecording by India Adams was lip-synced by Joan Crawford, who performed her version in blackface. That's Entertainment! III matches the Charisse and Crawford routines by using a split screen.
The movie reflects two real-life situations. In the movie Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) is washed up. In real life Astaire's career was at a standstill. In the movie much is made of whether Cyd Charisse's character is too tall for Fred's character. This was also true in real life. Whenever Cyd and Fred are together she is in shoes with low heels.
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