Co-stars: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray
Plot: Fading movie star Tony Hunter (Astaire) goes to New York City to perform in a new musical. When Broadway’s new hot director, Jeffery Cordova (Buchanan), decides to try his hand at musicals, he turns Tony’s comeback into a “modern Faust” and hires a ballerina (Charisse) to co-star.
Pros: Astaire, Dancing and Songs, Cine-photography, Buchanan, Entertaining, Ending
Cons: Sometimes drags between songs, Astaire-Charisse romance, Oscar Levant
Arthur Freed and Comden and Green's follow-on to Singing in the Rain, "Bandwagon" follows somewhat the same formula, except this time Broadway get satirized, and the emphasis is on comedy and song and not plot. The best thing in "Bandwagon" are the exuberant musical numbers, "That's Entertainment", Triplets, "Shine on Your Shoes" and superb satire of Mickey Spillane is long sequence called "Girl Hunter". Also, notable is Minnelli's photography and set design. The movie looks beautiful and so does Cyd Charisse. Other standouts include Buchanan's comedic turn as an egotistical producer (modeled on Orson Welles) and Fabre's comedic support. As for Astaire, Fred has an excellent dance number (Shine on your shoes) and is charming throughout. The ending is perfect.
Several things keep "Band Wagon" from greatness. First, the unengaging Charisse-Astaire romance. Fred (at 54) is simply too old and Charisse too cold for any sparks to fly. Further, the book flags at times, partly due to the writing, partly due to the casting. Outside of Fabre's performance and Buchanan's madcap Producer, the comedy is rather mediocre. Further, Levant seems tired and listless, not to mention unbelievable as Fabre's husband. His attempts at acting are almost painful. The part called for a Jack Carson or Dan Daily. Levant was a personal friend of Freed, which I guess explains his casting. Finally, Michale Kidd -as Astaire's rival -is incredibly bland.
Summary: An excellent, fun musical with some wonderful songs, great dancing, and excellent cine-photography
Rating ***1/2