MovieChat Forums > The Band Wagon (1953) Discussion > 'A SHINE ON YOUR SHOES'

'A SHINE ON YOUR SHOES'

posted 9 years ago by snsurone
2 replies | jump to latest

That was the first song-and-dance number in the movie, and Fred Astaire was superb, especially when he danced with Leroy Daniels--who was an actual bootblack at the time.
I don't know if he eventually had a career in show business, but I hope he did, as he was almost as talented as Astaire.
But he was black, and this was the 1950's, so his options were probably quite limited.

I'll never forget watching this film in a revival theater in NYC.
Loud applause filled the auditorium at the end of that number.

BTW, does anyone know if that tall, shapeless woman was actually a man in drag?
Sure looks like it.
And there is an older thread about Leroy Daniels, but many posts have been deleted and many of those remaining appear to be trolling.

[–] nimstic 9 years ago

I loved how Fred astaire handled that scene... w shoe shine dance. Despite being visually symbolic of the white supremacy back in the days... he made it look natural n great fun at that. This is my favourite sequence in the film followed by Cyd's intro (how gorgeous!)and incredibly romantic dance in the dark.. great film. Enjoyed every scene brimming with creativity and visual finesse

[–] liscarkat (19418) 22 days ago

Yes, Daniels was great in this part, but he was no Astaire. No, the tall woman was not a man.