The Band Wagon

Released Aug 7, 1953

1 hr. 52 min.

Musical

List

95%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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Premiered May 07

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Alec B

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

Steve D

Nothing special but amusing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/04/23

Full Review

Red T

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/23

Full Review

Frank G

Tremendous dance numbers, especially love the mob club scene toward end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/12/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Second best movie musical I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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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

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Edward Porter

Times (UK)

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.

Aug 1, 2022

Full Review

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

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).

Rated: 4/4

Apr 11, 2015

Full Review

Jeremiah Kipp

Slant Magazine

A love song for the narcissistic, and theater people are sure to eat up the film, commentary, extras, and first rate DVD packaging.

Mar 14, 2005

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though the sets and locales for the first few numbers are engaging, the songs themselves are largely minimal and forgettable.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Tim Dirks

Filmsite

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.

Rated: A+

Oct 21, 2022

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Manic Minnelli, which isn't always for me.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 17, 2018

Full Review

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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
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
Sound Mix: Mono

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