The Band Wagon-1953

Director Vincente Minnelli

Starring Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse

Scott’s Review #549

Reviewed December 15, 2016

Grade: B

The Band Wagon, made in 1953, is a second-tier MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) production- and by that I mean it is not as stellar as other musicals of its time.

It lacks the grandiose appeal of other similar musicals like An American in Paris and Singin’ in the Rain.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli- a legendary music director of the 1950s and starring Fred Astaire, The Band Wagon tells the story of a washed-up movie star trying to revive his career on Broadway.

He meets opposition from his co-star and prima ballerina, Gabrielle, played by Cyd Charisse, ironically, an actress who appeared in Singin’ in the Rain.

The Band Wagon is a fun movie, just not nearly on the level of the aforementioned movies, and rather a pale imitator. While other musicals of similar style can be watched numerous times, The Band Wagon is a one-and-done affair.

The story starts slowly but gets much better towards the end.

The film has a few memorable musical numbers, most notably “That’s Entertainment”.

Oscar Nominations: Best Story and Screenplay, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Costume Design, Color