Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Band Wagon

Play trailer Poster for The Band Wagon 1953 1h 52m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Famous musical movie star Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) fears his career may be on the skids, but his friends, Lester (Oscar Levant) and Lily (Nanette Fabray), have written a Broadway vehicle to kick-start his professional life. Tony is ecstatic -- until egotistical director Jeffrey Cordova (Jack Buchanan) joins the project and casts ballerina Gaby Gerard (Cyd Charisse) as the leading lady. Tony's second chance seems to be fading, but he may get more than he bargained for as the show goes on.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Band Wagon

Critics Reviews

View More
Edward Porter The Times (UK) 08/01/2022
Its song-and-dance numbers (also featuring Cyd Charisse, Jack Buchanan and Nanette Fabray) are first-rate, and the script's mickey-taking humour is urbane. Go to Full Review Lou Lumenick New York Post 04/11/2015
4/4
Sorry, the beloved "Singin' in the Rain" isn't the finest of the legendary MGM musicals. "The Band Wagon'' has better music, better dances, better direction, more lavish sets and costumes and a wittier script (by the same writers). Go to Full Review Jeremiah Kipp Slant Magazine 03/14/2005
A love song for the narcissistic, and theater people are sure to eat up the film, commentary, extras, and first rate DVD packaging. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 08/09/2023
5/10
Though the sets and locales for the first few numbers are engaging, the songs themselves are largely minimal and forgettable. Go to Full Review Tim Dirks Filmsite 10/21/2022
A+
Director Vincente Minnelli's and MGM's great "backstage" movie musical, under the guidance of producer Arthur Freed, was satirically self-mocking, and also took shots at show business and those who were involved in musical-dance productions. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm 03/17/2018
2.5/4
Manic Minnelli, which isn't always for me. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Isaiah Y Nov 4 This beautifully shot film by Vincente Minnelli features great sequences and perhaps Fred Astaire's greatest performance. See more Eye C @ECinc Jul 28 I found it more appealing this second time. The musical numbers are wonderful. See more Irene M Jul 21 still don't know the significance of the title. The storyline was contrived, but the dancing was enjoyable. See more Alec B 02/21/2024 The general outline of the plot is pretty close to what we're used to in these kinds of musicals, however the character's emotions feel more real which I imagine is the result of how closely they mirror their real life counterparts involved in the production. Also there are some truly great and almost surreal numbers in this. See more Steve D 04/04/2023 Nothing special but amusing. See more Red T 03/04/2023 An All Time Classic. The acting, and pacing in this is really well done. It can be a bit loaded on expose throughout most of it but its well written dialogue the whole way through. Though the lack of music in the non musical numbers at times can give it a bit of a dry feeling throughout. The editing is excellent as well with a witty and tight script the whole way through. The cinematography is phenomenal with dance number and scenes that pop with color and creativity. The best element is the musical numbers which are all really good to amazing. some are more catchy than others but make up for it with amazing choreography and creativity. The ending Noir Music number is really unique. Everyone should give this a watch once! See more Read all reviews
The Band Wagon

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

Vincente Minnelli

Director

Fred Astaire

Tony Hunter

Cyd Charisse

Gabrielle Gerard

Oscar Levant

Lester Marton

Nanette Fabray

Lily Marton

Jack Buchanan

Jeffrey Cordova, Theatre Director

More Like This

View All
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 89% 87% Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Watchlist Brigadoon 79% 71% Brigadoon Watchlist Yolanda and the Thief 80% 46% Yolanda and the Thief Watchlist The Pirate 78% 75% The Pirate Watchlist Anchors Aweigh 56% 78% Anchors Aweigh Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All

The Band Wagon

The Band Wagon (1953) The Band Wagon (1953) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Famous musical movie star Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) fears his career may be on the skids, but his friends, Lester (Oscar Levant) and Lily (Nanette Fabray), have written a Broadway vehicle to kick-start his professional life. Tony is ecstatic -- until egotistical director Jeffrey Cordova (Jack Buchanan) joins the project and casts ballerina Gaby Gerard (Cyd Charisse) as the leading lady. Tony's second chance seems to be fading, but he may get more than he bargained for as the show goes on.
Director
Vincente Minnelli
Producer
Arthur Freed
Screenwriter
Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 7, 1953, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2008
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Mono
Most Popular at Home Now