Tag Archives: James Mitchell

1953 Films, Ava Gardner, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, James Mitchell, Julie Newmar, Madge Blake, Musical, Oscar Levant, Vincente Minnelli

The Band Wagon-1953

Leave a comment

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 majestic appeal of 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 movies mentioned above, 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, notably “That’s Entertainment”.

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

1955 Films, Charlotte Greenwood, Eddie Albert, Fred Zinnemann, Gloria Grahame, Gordon MacRae, James Mitchell, Musical, Rod Steiger, Shirley Jones

Oklahoma!-1955

Leave a comment

Oklahoma! -1955

Director Fred Zinneman

Starring Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger

Scott’s Review #51

820796

Reviewed June 20, 2014

Grade: A-

Oklahoma! (1955) is one of a slew of memorable Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals to emerge from the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood and to be based on a popular stage version.

The film has an old-west, homespun, comfortable appeal to it. and is best watched during the summer months.

While seeming a bit too hokey and not my favorite musical compared to other more sophisticated stalwarts such as My Fair Lady (1964), An American in Paris (1951), or The Sound of Music (1965), Oklahoma! does emit a flavor and tasteful appeal of the West.

The plot focuses on a love triangle between a good old boy, Curly, a good girl, Laurey Williams, and brooding Jud, though the real rooting couple is Curly and Laurey.

The trio is supported by a large array of townspeople both gossiping about and helping  Curly and Laurey admit their true feelings and come together as a couple. Of course, Jud is the villain and conflicts come into play throughout the production.

There is also a lesser couple, Will Parker and Ado Annie, who find their way into each other’s arms amid the traditional small-town events such as a lively, summer fair.

Stars Gordon MacRae (Curly) and Shirley Jones (Laurey) are very handsome and likable in the lead roles making for a nice pairing.

Gloria Grahame is very appealing and comical as Ado Annie, especially in her rousing turn bellowing out “I Can’t Say No”, and Charlotte Greenwood is the moral voice of reason as Aunt Eller.

What works best in the film are the settings of Oklahoma, as the viewer experiences such a feel for life in the heartland long ago (though the exteriors were shot in Arizona).

It’s pure fantasy enjoyment and there is a magical Wizard of Oz feel though no cyclone nor munchkins are anywhere in sight. The film version closely follows the original stage version.

The musical numbers are quite catchy (“Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, “I Can’t Say No”, and “Oklahoma” are my favorites). The controversial mid-number “Dream Ballet” is provocative artistically enjoyable and jarringly different from the rest of the traditional tale.

This jaw-dropping number mirrors a similar spectacle in An American in Paris.

Perhaps Oklahoma! is not quite on par with other musicals of its day, but darned close.

Oscar Nominations: 2 wins-Best Scoring of a Musical Picture (won), Best Sound Recording (won), Best Cinematography, Color, Best Film Editing