The Band Wagon (1953)
Genre: Music
Duration: 112 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Vincente Minnelli
Stars: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant
IMDb score:
7,4 (13.555)
Releasedate: 7 August 1953
The Band Wagon plot
"Get Aboard!"
Tony Hunter, a famous singer/dancer has had his day. The public wants Ava Gardner, not him. But his old friends Lily and Les Martin come up with the idea of making a small Broadway show, and Tony agrees to join in. But the situation threatens to spiral out of control when bigshot producer Jeffrey Cordova appears and introduces prima ballerina Gabrielle as her co-star. It's hate at first sight between Tony and Gabrielle, plus her jealous choreographer. The show is doomed to fail.
Actors and actresses
Tony Hunter
Gabrielle Gerard
Lester Marton
Lily Marton
Jeffrey Cordova
Paul Byrd
Hal
Ava Gardner (uncredited)
Producer (uncredited)
Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
Reviews & comments
Kiekerjan
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- 119 messages
- 106 votes
Kind of backstage musical that feels more like a tribute to Broadway legend Fred Astaire and also serves as a temporary reconciliation between old and new 'cinema'. I now know what a film like this has to offer: a bone-thin story that is interrupted every once in a while by singing and dancing scenes, a form of overacting that even Balthazar Boma from FC De Kampioenen cannot sustain and a number of characteristics from former Astaire. vehicles such as long takes, comic relief and, of course, the repugnant chastisement of the floors called tap dance. Fortunately, the latter is kept within limits. Traditionally, it concludes with a big show that usually represents the highlight of the entire production. However, apart from an interesting piece of (neo) noir, I found it an incoherent mess. Especially the song with the three toddlers who want to kill each other doesn't make any sense. Positive are the many long takes that test the stamina of the cast and some jokes that bring out a smile. In general, almost nothing lingers and I am left with an empty and unsatisfied feeling.
Translated from Dutch · View original
T.O.
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- 2428 messages
- 2806 votes
Once again I am extremely grateful for the way in which this film has been polished up, which really adds value to this kind of technicolor cinema.
I thought the first half was really great, well written with a combination of beautiful songs and sets (that arcade at the shoeshine shop!) and a hilarious storyline with Buchanan as an overambitious director.
The second half starts a bit less, as the story is dropped and a revue takes its place with songs that are also annoyingly corny (Louisiana Hayride, Triplets). But thankfully, this culminates in Girl Hunt Ballet, which is arguably the best of the entire movie. You also see that the medium of film adds something to the musical, since much more is done here with camera angles. Nice to read that Michael Jackson has used this segment as inspiration for his video clips, that fits well now.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Roger Thornhill
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- 6070 messages
- 2477 votes
Here in front of me is a photo in Life Magazine of a 66-year-old Fred Astaire who "betrays some weariness as he uses a practice bar [a "ballet-barre"] for support while working out a new dance routine." The funny thing is that all that tiredness and all that strenuous exercise I never see on screen at all, because on it Fred Astaire is always his careless, carefree, endearing self, averse to pretensions and pedantry – I know very few actors who being able to put their first appearance in any movie in such a good mood right away. Of course in The band wagon he is twelve years younger than in the picture, but who cares: this is a story of nothing (a kind of Broadway counterpart to the Hollywood setting of Singin ' in the rain), but the colors, the elegant direction and the busy supporting roles form the stage on which Astaire can dance his magic. And Cyd Charisse is not only a worthy partner but also looks to eat.
The caption to the photo from Life continues (and ends) with "Still, at 66 he could rehearse longer than most of the younger dancers."
Translated from Dutch · View original
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