Customer Reviews

Band Wagon

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have no idea why THE BAND WAGON is so hard to find on VHS and is not yet released on DVD. Along with SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and ON THE TOWN it is one of the few superbly written (Betty Comden and Adolph Green), wonderfully performed, gorgeously designed and classily directed (Vincente Minnelli) musicals from MGM's golden age.
If for no other reason, it should be seen to watch Michael Kidd's incomparable choreography. I am especially fond of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse falling in love without saying or singing a word, while they dance through Central Park in "Dancing in the Dark" one of the most romantic and sexy scenes in any movie.

The cast also includes the adorable Nanette Fabray and Astaire's perfect foil, Jack Buchanan. Just as SINGIN' IN THE RAIN romantically spoofed Hollywood, THE BAND WAGON does the same for Broadway.

This superb CD contains every bit of music in the movie including the nearly twelve minute "Girl Hunt Ballet" and some extras too: a few songs cut from the film and two demos sung by the composers. The sound is amazingly fine considering that all the cuts come from the film, itself. The score by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz is filled with gorgeous melodies and clever lyrics. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Ted Turner did us all a favor when he bought the MGM movie library. His company has not only saved the movies from complete disintegration, but now they are releasing soundtracks from those great MGM musicals that I never thought I'd ever obtain.

With The Band Wagon, we have some truly classic MGM moments: "That's Entertainment" is a classic in its own right. "Dancing in the Dark" is a ballroom dancer's dream piece. "I Love Louisa" and "Triplets" are hilarious romps, and "The Girl Hunt Ballet" makes you understand what Fred Astaire meant when he said, "When you dance with Cyd Charisse, you stay danced with."

Once you've seen the movie, you'll want this soundtrack. You'll love it.

I bought this soundtrack after I have seen this movie. I like DANCING IN THE DARK and THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! the best. Of course, THE GIRL HANT BALLET is beautifull and cool. I love this movie, too. If you like this movie, this disc is a must buy. You'll find the soundtrack is wonderful as well as the movie.

Another great CD soundtrack from Turner/Rhino is found in their CD issue of "The Band Wagon." All of the original songs are here, plus underscoring and outtakes. Supplemental material includes demo versions of "Two Faced Woman" and "That's Entertainment" performed by Roger Edens (with an assist from Richard Beavers on "TE") with lyrics for the latter that did not end up in the final version. Some of the original tracks were recorded in three track magnetic stereo, but in the 1960's when MGM converted the tracks to 1/4" tape they were transfered in monaural. However, the tracks still sound clean and are a very big improvement over the original soundtrack which had shortened and/or re-edited versions of some tracks. "The Girl Hunt Ballet" includes Fred Astaire's narration and selected sound effects appropriate to the sequence. The highlight for me is the full length version of "Shine On My Shoes," a classic moment of all time.

THE BAND WAGON is still regarded as one of the greatest M-G-M musicals ever made. The charming story of a group of actors, composers and their bombastic director putting together a Broadway show still rings true with its comedy and wit. This reissue of the original soundtrack album is a real treat.

The superb cast includes Fred Astaire (SILK STOCKINGS, FUNNY FACE), Cyd Charisse (with a singing voice dubbed by India Adams), Nanette Fabray, Jack Buchanan and Oscar Levant. The sparkling score is by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Standout numbers include "Dancing in the Dark", "By Myself", "A Shine on Your Shoes", "That's Entertainment!", "I Love Louisa" and "New Sun in the Sky".

The score also features the priceless comedy number "Triplets", and Nanette Fabray's spirited "Louisiana Hayride". This reissue also includes the complete "Girl Hunt Ballet" as well as the cut number "Two-Faced Woman" (which many people agree should have stayed in the picture).

A top, must-own soundtrack. [RHINO 8122-72253-2]

To get an idea of why the Rhino/TCM soundtrack albums are among the recording industry's finest offerings, listen to track 11, a one-minute-plus cue of "Sweet Music", or better yet, the instrumental medley on track 12 -- seeming trifles and yet, removed from the hustle and bustle of a musical soundtrack, these understated arrangements are almost unbearably poignant. At their best the golden-age filmmakers had an attention to detail beyond the casual filmgoer, but which they knew and understood, and that only now, as the movie industry sinks into irrelevance for all its "record" grosses, becomes obvious. Thank you, George Feltenstein and Bradley Flanagan, for unearthing these.
And if this magnificent work has one name to remember it's not above the title but rather a name hardly anyone knows at all outside film music circles: Conrad Salinger. With Sousa-like intensity he turned "That's Entertainment!", a three-note imitation "There's No Business Like Show Business" with dummy-like lyrics, into the "Stars and Stripes Forever" of Hollywood, and he transformed the already mighty standard "Dancing in the Dark" into one of the screen's defining moments, proving at the least that some songs are better off without words.
Further comment is superfluous -- the music can talk -- except to say that if Cyd Charisse had sung like the absolutely sexy India Adams (what a name!) she'd have had a recording career. One small flaw: the sound, though well-managed, is slightly harsh; you may want to turn down the treble when listening to this transcendental masterpiece.

I watched the movie a few months ago on TCM, and really liked it. Very good music, dancing, performances, and a likeable story. However, the CD falls short. It has 25+ tracks. There are really only 6-7 well done and memorable songs on it. Two at the start, maybe somewhere in the middle two more, and 3-4 near the end. That leaves a lot of unappealing tracks to wade through. The (orchestra) cuts just do not translate well to the modern ear. I found several of the songs had a very uneven end. It seemed like a few just got cut by the editor before the music died out. It may also be that some of the sound track needs cleaning.

Comment on the movie. Nanette Fabray was terrific. Just a dynamo.