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The Band Wagon

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7.1/10 • 209

1953-08-071h 52m

MusicComedyRomance

Get Aboard!

A Broadway artiste turns a faded film star's comeback vehicle into an artsy flop.

Directors
Vincente Minnelli
Editors
George White

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Fred Astaire

    Fred Astaire

    Tony Hunter

  2. Cyd Charisse

    Cyd Charisse

    Gabrielle Gerard

  3. Oscar Levant

    Oscar Levant

    Lester Marton

  4. Nanette Fabray

    Nanette Fabray

    Lily Marton

  5. Jack Buchanan

    Jack Buchanan

    Jeffrey Cordova

  6. James Mitchell

    James Mitchell

    Paul Byrd

  7. Robert Gist

    Robert Gist

    Hal

  8. Ava Gardner

    Ava Gardner

    Ava Gardner (uncredited)

  9. Don Beddoe

    Don Beddoe

    Producer (uncredited)

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jul 16, 2024

7/10

Now I do watch quite a lot of horrors films, but it's been a while since I've seen something quite so un-nerving as Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant all dressed up as babies singing a song about having a gun! That rather sums up this entertainingly eclectic story that sees the theatrically flamboyant "Cordova" (Jack Buchanan) drafted in to try and inject some life into the lacklustre "Tony" (Astaire). He's been feeling a bit down in the dumps for ages and now that he's no longer the apple of anyone's eye, is downright dejected. Luckily for him (and us) his two friends "Les" (Levant) and "Lily" (Nanette Fabray) aren't giving up. Problem? Well they have to find him a co-star for his new show - and when they alight on the somewhat highly-strung "Gabrielle" (Charisse) things don't exactly work. Indeed, she and "Tony" can barely bear to be in the same room as each other, much less share a stage - and so tantrums and stroppings galore ensue. It's all about the art, though, darling, as his pals use the toe-tapping "That's Entertainment" - a refrain frequently used throughout - to remind "Tony" that the clown with his pants falling down is all part of the job. Of course, there's no jeopardy at all here - you know pretty much from the outset just how well the ducks are going to get in their row, but the film looks great and there's a lovely chemistry between Charisse and Astaire that allows both actors to flourish amidst some perfect choreography, gentle comedy and memorable numbers from Messrs Schwartz and Dietz as they take their show on a tour of the United States. You might want to lock away your dolls at night, though...

Media

  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster
  • The Band Wagon poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$2,900,000.00
Revenue
$3,500,000.00
Keywords
new york citymusicaltop hatchoreographerbroadwaygrand central stationballerinafading star