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The Band Wagon (1953)
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Reviews Counted:13
Fresh:13
Rotten:0
Average Rating:8.5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Synopsis: Fading movie musical star Tony Hunter, 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... Fading movie musical star Tony Hunter, 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! Thanks to the massive egos of everyone involved, 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 dance numbers include "Triplets," "Girl Hunt," "Dancing in the Dark" and "That's Entertainment." [More]
Starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray
Starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray, Jack Buchanan, James Mitchell, Robert Gist, Thurston Hall, Ava Gardner
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Screenwriter: Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Producer: Arthur Freed
Composer: Adolph Deutsch
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Reviews for The Band Wagon
If you like an old-fashioned Broadway musical, you can't go wrong with this one.
Minnelli's best musical is sparked by witty allusions to real-life showbiz persona like pretentious actor Jose Ferrer and birlliant but aging dancer Fred Astaire, the film's star, who shines when dancing, both with Cyd Charisse and alone.
Highlights Fred Astairete's technical genius, particularly in numbers where he's dancing alone.
A love song for the narcissistic, and theater people are sure to eat up the film, commentary, extras, and first rate DVD packaging.
...it's hard to dislike something so cheerful and uplifting as this movie.
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