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Summary: Fred's answer to Singing in the Rain
Review: This movie came out a year or two after Singing in the Rain. Fred meant it to be his answer to that movie. Many people remember the Gene Kelly movie but not this one. In many ways I think Band Wagon is better. WHY ISN'T IT ON DVD?
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Summary: The last great MGM musical.
Review: This was probably the last great musical MGM made. It was probably Astaire's last great musical. The song "That's Entertainment" is a standout.
Rating:
Summary: terriffic!
Review: what more can you say? as always, the others feet may fly but when fred dances, his feet never touch the ground.
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Summary: Make Room on "The Band Wagon" for Me!
Review: Yes, this is one of the best MGM musicals for sure. You'll read some reviews that say the romance is wearisome or that the plot is thin, but I don't think any of that holds water. I will grant you, though, that it gets a tad long, but I think you'll find that true of almost every single musical anyway, my gosh how many hours long is "Carousel"?Fred Astaire just got better as he got older, and that's pretty darn hard to do as a dancer--I remember that all the cast in "A Chorus Line" are dreading turning thirty because they'd be has-beens. Well, here our Fred is a spry 54 and dancing up a storm, even in a new style. While every number is great, I'd have to say that the standout for me is "Dancing in the Dark", where he and Cyd Charisse begin by walking through a mock Central Park and by bits and pieces go into a beautifully smooth dance number. Look at it closely--there's only one camera cut in the whole number, and I think that's just that they moved out of range. Which is to say, that you're almost watching a live performance in one take--incredible! Like one of the previous reviewers, I will also single out Jack Buchanan's great performance as the hambone director of the Faust play. What a pity that there doesn't seem to be anything else of his around to keep viewing his significant persona. When he and Fred do a number together towards the end, "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans", gotta admit, most of the time I was watching Jack not Fred. Such aplomb! I wish I knew him! And of course, there are plenty of other classic routines, not the least of which is "That's Entertainment", well put over by Fred, Jack, and Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabray. Yep, that's entertainment all right! So to sum up, scurry aboard "The Band Wagon" and ride on out to wherever with these great stars--hot time in the old town tonight.
Rating:
Summary: Hands Down, The Best Musical Ever
Review: You will not find better talent, music, dancing, or production in any other film. Some are nearly equal - An American In Paris, Singin In the Rain, and down the road a ways perhaps All that Jazz. Pay no attention to the nay-sayers about this movie who want more plot and more dancing and more ... That is ludicrous. The best musicals always have...thin plots. Did you ever read Phantom of the Opera? Talk about a...story that was turned into one of the most popular musical stage productions ever. Enjoy The Bandwagon for what it is on the surface - loads of campy over acting and a great bunch of song and dance stars putting on some of the best on screen performances ever. Its pure 50's escapism that will hold up in any era. That's Entertainment!
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