The Band Wagon (1953)
While there are some famous songs in The Band Wagon, namely “That’s Entertainment”, it’s not the best Fred Astaire movie in the world. This is one of those “let’s make a movie about show business” movies, and those movies aren’t usually very good.
At the start of the movie, Fred Astaire is playing a characterture of himself: he’s a stage and screen musical star who’s got a few miles on him and is thinking of retiring. The fans who once wanted his autograph now seek out Ava Gardner—I don’t know why she was featured as a plot point and cameo in this movie, since she was never famous for her song and dance talents. In any case, Fred, Oscar Levante, Nanette Fabray, and Jack Buchanan create a musical version of Faust and want to put it on Broadway to revive Fred’s career. When Cyd Charisse is brought in as his costar, arguments ensue.
If you’re a Fred Astaire fan, like I am, you’ll probably want to watch every movie he’s ever made. By all means, rent The Band Wagon. “That’s Entertainment” is a very famous song, and it’s the title of the very famous documentary about film musicals that Fred co-hosted in 1974. If you’re never seen a Fred Astaire movie before, or you’re not too wild about movie musicals, this isn’t the best one for you to start out with. There are some memorable songs, like “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” “Triplets,” and the “Dancing in the Dark” dance with Fred and Cyd, but there are also some very silly songs, as well as songs that will make you want to walk out of the room for more popcorn without pressing pause.
There you have it; you’ve been warned. I absolutely love Fred, so even when a movie of his is a little bad, I forgive him. If you love him too, then hop on The Band Wagon!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
More Ava Gardner movies here!
At the start of the movie, Fred Astaire is playing a characterture of himself: he’s a stage and screen musical star who’s got a few miles on him and is thinking of retiring. The fans who once wanted his autograph now seek out Ava Gardner—I don’t know why she was featured as a plot point and cameo in this movie, since she was never famous for her song and dance talents. In any case, Fred, Oscar Levante, Nanette Fabray, and Jack Buchanan create a musical version of Faust and want to put it on Broadway to revive Fred’s career. When Cyd Charisse is brought in as his costar, arguments ensue.
If you’re a Fred Astaire fan, like I am, you’ll probably want to watch every movie he’s ever made. By all means, rent The Band Wagon. “That’s Entertainment” is a very famous song, and it’s the title of the very famous documentary about film musicals that Fred co-hosted in 1974. If you’re never seen a Fred Astaire movie before, or you’re not too wild about movie musicals, this isn’t the best one for you to start out with. There are some memorable songs, like “I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan,” “Triplets,” and the “Dancing in the Dark” dance with Fred and Cyd, but there are also some very silly songs, as well as songs that will make you want to walk out of the room for more popcorn without pressing pause.
There you have it; you’ve been warned. I absolutely love Fred, so even when a movie of his is a little bad, I forgive him. If you love him too, then hop on The Band Wagon!
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
More Ava Gardner movies here!