A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total
India Adams
- Gabrielle Gerard
- (singing voice)
- (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich
- Hot Dog Vendor
- (uncredited)
Richard Alexander
- Stagehand
- (uncredited)
Ernest Anderson
- Train Porter
- (uncredited)
Barbara Bailey
- Dancer
- (uncredited)
Patsy Bangs
- Dancer
- (uncredited)
Lysa Baugher
- Dancer in Troupe
- (uncredited)
Mary Bayless
- Theatre Patron
- (uncredited)
Brandon Beach
- Auction Guest
- (uncredited)
Ralph Beaumont
- Dancer in Troupe
- (uncredited)
Don Beddoe
- Producer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the DVD bonus features, Nanette Fabray stated that Oscar Levant was difficult to work with. Whenever something would go wrong or he would make a mistake, he would blame whoever was around. This included stage hands, other actors, lighting technicians, or whoever was handy. She said that, since she was usually closest, she caught the brunt of it. Following a botched take, he again blamed her for something. She lost her temper and told him off using unladylike language. Everyone on the set applauded. After that, he was much easier to work with.
- GoofsAt the New York opening night, the theater name on the marquee is Alcott Theatre, but the program cover has Stratton Theatre.
- Quotes
Gabrielle Gerard: Oh, that's a very early Degas, isn't it?
[examines painting]
Gabrielle Gerard: 1877.
Tony Hunter: [playing up their age difference] Yeah, I swiped it from his desk in school. Was he sore.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "THE BAND WAGON (Spettacolo di varietà, 1953) - New Widescreen Edition + IL SIGNORE IN MARSINA (1943)" (2 Films on a single DVD, with "The Band Wagon" in double version 1.33:1 and 1.78:1), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsEdited into Hollywood: The Dream Factory (1972)
- SoundtracksBy Myself
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by Arthur Schwartz
Lyrics by Howard Dietz
Performed by Fred Astaire twice
Featured review
One sequence is gorgeous in its silence.
There are many shimmering moments in Bandwagon: Fred Astaire (playing a role close to his own life story; he was 53 at the time), the acidic wit of Oscar Levant ('that'll keep 'em laughing!!') tempered by the sunny Nanette Fabray and musical numbers including "Shine on Your Shoes," "I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan," and a clever novelty trio called "Triplets." But the musical sequence that stands out the most is the one which has no vocal, no dialog, and gently advances the movie's plot of whether or not oil-and-water dancers Astaire and Cyd Charisse can actually perform together (when he thinks she's too tall and she thinks he's too old). Against a Central Park twilight, the film shows its heroes enjoy a hushed walk through a park (only an instrumental refrain of 'High and Low' is heard), after which they step into an empty courtyard (he in a pastel linen suit and spectator shoes, she in a flared white dress and ballet flats; a necessity to keep her from being taller than him on film) and into the pas-de-deux of "Dancing In The Dark." It's an exquisite sequence, which at times resembles courtship, foreplay, and ultimately a romantic climax- all done in dance. It ends, just as smoothly as it began, with the two leads spinning up a short flight of stairs and mounting a hansom cab, without a single hair out of place. Now THAT's entertainment.
helpful•610
- movibuf1962
- Oct 22, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- I Love Louisa
- Filming locations
- 214 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA(establishing shot showing the New Amsterdam Theatre)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,169,120 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $14,889
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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![Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon (1953)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNGUxZmJkZTgtMmI1Ny00Mzg3LWFlY2QtMjNkM2QwZGVhYTQyL2ltYWdlL2ltYWdlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjc1NTYyMjg@._V1_QL75_UX90_CR0,1,90,133_.jpg)