Cinema Can Do Musicals: The Band Wagon

Former Hollywood dance star Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire) wants to launch a new revue in New York, but gets involved with the wrong director, whereupon the show flops. Tony attempts to save the tour with the help of ballet star Gabrielle Gerard (Cyd Charisse), whose height and success initially intimidate him, and his friends Lily and Lester, who make sure that the show is a perfect fit for him. THE BAND WAGON, Vincente Minnelli’s ironic tribute to showbusiness is the ultimate Hollywood musical and the first film to star dream dance couple Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. The film noir parody “The Girl Hunt” with Fred Astaire as a tough private detective and Cyd Charisse as a femme fatale can be counted among the most spectacular choreographies in film history. (hjf)