254. The Band Wagon (1953)

Directed By Vincente Minnelli

Synopsis

Astaire is this washed up musical film actor who goes to New York to get back on the stage. The production starts going where no one wants it to go, no one except the actor/director/producer who is trying to make it an updating of Faust. When that doesn't work Astaire takes over and does pure entertainment.

Review

Well, this was a strange film. On the one hand it is one of those typical Technicolor musicals that we are used to (American In Paris, Singing In The Rain etc.) but there is a layer of weirdness pervading the whole thing that gives it a different sheen.

In a way the film is quite retro, going back to the plots of the early 30's Busby Berkley's films where people are trying to put on a show. But then there are some strange elements, like the bloodthirsty Triplets song with three characters dresses as babies mainly motivated by hatred considering "how fun" it would be to shoot the other two brothers. Or the extended Film Noir tribute scene which is more than a little surreal.

The plot isn't bad and there is plenty of Cyd Charisse's leg ogling to enjoy here, Astaire remains a great dancer and there are some genuinely funny moments here. In the end it does what it is meant to do, simply entertain, and that it does, it does not, however do much more than that.

Final Grade

8/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, Color, Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay (for Comden and Green). In 1995, The Band Wagon was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In 2006, this film ranked #17 on the American Film Institute's list of best musicals.

Triplets: