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By
BILL CONIFF
I'm still not ready to get
on "The Band Wagon" (1953), even after seeing the
beautifully restored version released by Warner
Brothers in a two-DVD set. It's not uncommon for
movie critics to claim that "The Band Wagon," as
opposed to "Singin' in the Rain," is the best
musical ever made. I think it's terribly
overrated. But then, there are at least half a
dozen musicals I like better than "Singin' in the
Rain" too.
All of that is not to say that "The Band Wagon"
lacks entertainment value. It has plenty of that,
but it never achieves greatness. Several creative
numbers (for example, "A Shine on Your Shoes,"
with Fred Astaire hopping all over a Penny Arcade)
are dampened by occasional duds ("Girl Hunt," with
Astaire at his most Gene Kellyish in an
nonsensical film noir-inspired ballet, and a
overlong one at that). Other highlights are
"Dancing in the Dark," where Astaire and Cyd
Charisse romantically strut their stuff, and
"Triplets," which was literally a pain to
accomplish, according to Nanette Fabray, but
remains fun to watch.
The performances are all enjoyable, except perhaps
for that of the very odd Oscar Levant, who by all
accounts was impossible to deal with. The
screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green is
unexceptional, but it provides sufficient binding
tissue between the musical numbers. No synopsis is
needed -- it's the old "let's put on a show" plot,
with a couple of twists. By the end, it's tossed
out the window anyway, and the musical numbers
(songs by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, and
choreography by Michael Kidd) are thrown at the
viewer, one after the other.
What truly makes the DVD worthwhile are the
special features. The making-of documentary
provides great insights, particularly from Fabray,
who is both brutally honest and perceptive, and
Kidd, who shares some charming stories about
working with Astaire. There's also a dated-looking
documentary on the life and art of the director,
Vincente Minnelli. Luckily, it looks like the
clips have been replaced with more recent restored
versions. In addition, there's a deleted musical
number: "Two Faced Woman," the vocal track of
which was used again for Joan Crawford in the
campy "Torch Song," yet unreleased on DVD. There's
also a musical short with the charming Jack
Buchanan years before his appearance in "The Band
Wagon."
Finally, there's a commentary track, and it's a
doozy. Michael Feinstein and Liza Minnelli sit
down to chat about the film, and their different
approaches make for a lot of fun. Feinstein is
excellent at providing background information,
while Minnelli seems to think she had a starring
role in the film, so insistent is she on tying
everything back to herself (and her father, to be
fair). For example, when the costumes are
mentioned, she points out that miniature versions
were created for her, a child at the time. Yet,
she remains very likable despite her stratospheric
egocentricity, and Feinstein, a friend, takes her
occasional non sequiturs in stride.
"The Band Wagon" is being sold individually and as
part of the "The Classic Musicals Collection -
Broadway to Hollywood," which also includes
"Finian's Rainbow," "Bells are Ringing,"
"Brigadoon" and "Easter Parade." |
