The Band Wagon Summary
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Genres: Comedy, Musical
Rating:
One of the most subtle and sophisticated of the musical comedies that came out of MGM's Arthur_Freed Unit in the '40s and '50s, The Band Wagon stars Fred_Astaire as Tony Hunter, a movie star whose career is in a downturn. Looking for a boost, Tony decides to try starring in a Broadway musical. His friends Lester and Lily Marton (Oscar_Levant and Nanette_Fabray) have written a show they feel would be just right for Tony, and the three team up with Jeffrey Cordova (Jack_Buchanan), a self-styled "genius" director, who gets the idea to turn the play into a revised version of -Faust. Cordova's more pretentious ideas don't always sit well with the Martons, and Tony isn't too happy with his leggy co-star, Gaby Gerard (Cyd_Charisse), whom he's convinced is too tall (then again, she thinks he's too old). But when the show proves a disaster in out-of-town tryouts, everyone realizes they have to put aside their differences if they want a show that will be on Broadway for longer than four hours. The Band Wagon featured a rare American appearance for British musical star Jack_Buchanan, who does a fine soft-shoe with Fred_Astaire on "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan." Astaire also shines in the numbers "Shine on Your Shoes" and "The Girl Hunt," a witty Mickey_Spillane parody. Mark Deming, Rovi
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