BAND WAGON (1953)

The Band Wagon (1953) Musical /comedy. Music written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz ,originally for the 1931 Broadway musical, also called The Band Wagon, with a book by George S. Kaufman. Cast: Fred Astaire and his sister Adele. Another song orchestrated by Conrad Salinger, "Dancing in the Dark". 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. 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 Institutes list of best musicals.

Tony Hunter's movie career is in a slump, so he decides to return to New York to meet with writers Lester and Lily Marton. The Martons inform Tony that they have written a new show to be staged by director Jeffrey Cordova. Tony joins the Martons to the Broadway theater and after watching the play is not sure that Cordova's can direct a musical comedy. The Martons are taken back when Cordova announces that he sees the show as a modern version of Faust , and casts himself in the devil role. Cordova then casts the famous ballerina Gabrielle Gerard in the female lead. Tony and the Martons go to the ballet to watch Gaby perform, and Tony is worried about her height and her classical training.

My favorite scene of the film is when Tony and Gabrielle, take a carriage ride through Central Park to try to get to know each other. As they drive, they come to an outdoor dance floor, with an orchestra playing "Dancing in the Dark" ( music matched the mood perfectly). Tony and Gabrielle get out and begin to walk together in rhythm, gradually trying out a few dance steps. Eventually, they dance wonderfully together. It is one of my favorite Astaire or Charisse's moments.



FUN FACTS:

Many of the props, sets, and costumes for the huge production number that goes wrong in rehearsal in Boston are from Lovely to Look at (1952), Ziegfeld Follies (1945) and An American in Paris (1951).

The movie reflects two real-life situations. In the movie Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) is washed up. In real life Astaire's career was at a standstill. In the movie much is made of whether Cyd Charisse's character is too tall for Fred's character. This was also true in real life. Whenever Cyd and Fred are together she is in shoes with low heels.

Soundtracks:

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"By Myself"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire

"A Shine on Your Shoes"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire and Leroy Daniels

"That's Entertainment"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant and Fred Astaire
Performed also by Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant, Cyd Charisse (dubbed by India Adams) and Fred Astaire

"The Beggars Waltz"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Danced by Cyd Charisse, James Mitchell and corps de ballet

"Dancing in the Dark"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse

"You and the Night and the Music"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Sung by chorus
Danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse

"Something to Remember You By"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed chorus

"High and Low"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by chorus

"I Love Louisa"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray and chorus

"New Sun in the Sky"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Cyd Charisse (dubbed by India Adams)

"I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan

"Louisiana Hayride"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Nanette Fabray and chorus

"Triplets"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire, Nanette Fabray and Jack Buchanan

"The Girl Hunt"
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
Danced by corps de ballet
Danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse