- Description
Tap Dance America is a reference work of bibliographic information and does not point to digitized versions of the items described. The Library of Congress may or may not own a copy of a particular film or video. To request additional information Ask a Librarian.
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From:
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The Band Wagon / Fred Astaire [film]
- Title
- The Band Wagon [Film]
- Performers
- Astaire, Fred
- Daniels, LeRoy
- Published/Created
- 1953-07-03
- Genre
- Film
- Note
- MGM
- Abstract
- Vincente Minnelli, dir., Michael Kidd, dance director, with Fred Astaire. Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz.
One of the most highly praised of Astaire's motion pictures, here playing a washed up Hollywood hoofer trying to make a comeback on Broadway and having to compete with audience's new preference for Broadway ballet. This plot seems to parallel the conflict between ballet and tap dance in the late forties. Astaire is partnered with Cyd Charisse. Two highlights are the climactic duet "Dancing in the Dark," and "The Girl Hunt Ballet" a parody of the tough guy detective novels of Mickey Spillane in which Astaire in stylized jazz dance movement hears a trumpet player practicing; when the trumpet player in the café's band plays a high note, a glass of nitroglycerine on the bar explodes; he then shoots the trumpet player ("Mister Big") who is with the blonde, and chases his mysterious muse (Charisse in blonde and brunete wig). The conflicting aesthetic of jazz tap and ballet is represented in one scene of the film which was cut out: "You Have Everything," in which he and Charisse rehearse in separate studios; Astaire performs in his style, Charisse in hers. The music reflects this: abruptly alternating a jazz arrangement with a sweet, violin-dominated arrangement. "A Shine On Your Shoes," in which Astaire dances around a penny arcade accompanied by the blaring jazz arrangement of Skip Martin and partly abetted by a bootblack, played by LeRoy Daniels. An MGM studio blurb describes the role played by Daniels as "a bootblack from downtown Los Angeles, whose antics with his bebop rags and boogie woogie brushes keep his customers entertained while they get a shine;" Daniels also inspired the tune made popular by Bing Crosby, "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy".
"That's Entertainment," in which Astaire with Nanette Fabray and Jack Buchanan, perform some close-order tap and show biz cliches, including a one-upping crossover step .
"I'll Have to Change My Plans" sees Astaire and Buchanan in top hat and tails perform a jaunty tap soft-shoe. - Source
- Billman, Larry: Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia, 1893-1955. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland (1997).
Last Updated: 12-16-2015