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Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302711844
Format: NTSC
ISBN: 6302711843
Label: Warner Home Video (M
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video (M
Publisher: Warner Home Video (M
Sales Rank: 15888
Studio: Warner Home Video (M
Theatrical Release Date: August 07, 1953
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
The Band Wagon (1953) marked the culmination of a series of near-autobiographical pictures Fred Astaire made for MGM following his return from premature retirement in the late '40s. Astaire plays Tony Hunter, a fading film star (his big hit: Flying Down to Panama) who decides to return to his former glory, the Broadway stage. (In 1931, Astaire had starred on Broadway with sister Adele in The Band Wagon, a revue that lent some of its songs to this film.) His playwright-songwriter friends (Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant) hook him up with Broadway's hottest director, Jeffrey Cordova (a nicely hammy Jack Buchanan), who proves that the 'new' theater traditions can be an awkward fit with the old. Hunter also finds himself at odds with his prima ballerina leading lady (Cyd Charisse), one of his chief worries being that she seems a little tall. Along the way, producer Arthur Freed, director Vincente Minnelli, choreographer Michael Kidd, and songwriters Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz treat us to some quintessential MGM numbers: Astaire's solo ode 'By Myself,' the flashy arcade romp 'A Shine on Your Shoes,' Astaire and Charisse's romantic duet 'Dancing in the Dark,' the faux-German drinking song 'I Love Louisa,' the manic trio 'Triplets' (with Astaire, Fabray, and Buchanan in matching baby outfits), the Mickey Spillane-esque 'Girl Hunt Ballet,' and the classic show-biz anthem 'That's Entertainment.' Even if its ending and obligatory romance fall a little flat, The Band Wagon is one of the classic backstage musicals, a grandiose MGM spectacle that also manages to poke some fun at how grandiose MGM pictures had become. --David Horiuchi
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Wonderful and classic
Perhaps one of the rarer teens of our generation, I discovered good, old MGM musicals when my father became sick and had to watch movies at home. As we became closer, it seemed that both of us had a healthy interest in musicals. After we watched the "That's Entertainment" series, we rushed to buy "An American in Paris," "Take me out to the Ball Game," "Singin' in the Rain," and "The Band Wagon." We would soon get a collection that rivaled any DVD store's.
Cyd Charisse had always ... Read More
Rating: - The Band Wagon
I had heard this old musical was very good.
It certainly is! So glad I can get these classic movies
thru Amazon.
Rating: - Absolutely Amazing!!!
I have a huge collection of Musicals, but this one is quickly becoming one of my favorites!! What's not to like about Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse!!! The supporting cast is wonderful and it's truly a timeless classic!! The scene with "The Triplets" is not to be missed...it leaves you scratching your head and wondering HOW they did it!! The answer is revealed in the comentary by Lisa Minelli whose father directed this fantastic musical. The dancing is superb and there's so many marvelous dance routines ... Read More
Rating: - The Band Wagon
The dancing by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, and the show biz contributions by Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant make this an excellent DVD.
Rating: - fine MGM musical with love, a stageshow epiphany and a victorious opening just waiting to pop out at you
The Band Wagon is one of those excellent MGM musicals with enough song and dance musical numbers to make your eyes bug out! The color is excellent and the sound is good. The plot moves along at a good pace; and there was never a dull moment. The cinematography and the choreography work very well, especially in scenes where the actors are performing a play within a movie.
The action begins when Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire), a washed up actor and dancer, comes to New York to try his luck on Broadway ... Read More
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EAN: 9786302711844
Format: NTSC
ISBN: 6302711843
Label: Warner Home Video (M
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video (M
Publisher: Warner Home Video (M
Sales Rank: 15888
Studio: Warner Home Video (M
Theatrical Release Date: August 07, 1953