I was wondering what everyone's favorite musical sequence in this film is. I have two: "Triplets" with Astaire, Nanette Fabray, and Jack Buchanan and the other is Astaire's beautiful pas de deux with Cyd Charisse to "Dancing in the Dark".
shareTriplets is good but it's almost a gimmick song - the first time you see it you wonder how they did it. I would go with Dancing in the Dark and put That's Entertainment second at the end of the movie when everything falls into place.
But as much as I like TBW, nothing reaches the heights of Kelly in title number from Singing in the Rain.
The title number in SINGIN IN THE RAIN is wonderful, but two numbers I prefer in that film are "Moses" and the "Broadway Ballet" with Cyd Charisse.
shareI love the "Triplets" scene and also "Louisa". Another fave is Fred Astaire and Jack Buchanan (Jeff Cordova) singing and dancing to "I've Lost The One Girl I Found" - such a soothing delivery of that song.
"Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking" Donovan
That duet with Astaire and Jack Buchanan is actually called "I Guess I"ll Have to Change my Plans" and yes, I like that number too...simple, elegant, classic Astaire.
shareThank you, Jonseii, I knew that wasn't the right. Still love it anyways...
"Freedom is a word I rarely use without thinking" Donovan
I have to nominate Cyd in her "New Sun in the Sky" number as my personal fave. The dress, the music, Cyd herself - it's an unfortunately brief musical sequence, but one of the most memorable for me because of that beautiful dress she's wearing. Technicolor was made for gowns like that!
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The dvd of this great musical is terrific. I'm surprised that it isn't mentioned that Cyd and Fred briefly danced together in the mid-40s in "The Ziegfeld Follies". The documentary interviews make it sound as though they met while starting rehearsals for "The Band Wagon".
shareThat song is also used in the Joan Crawford film TORCH SONG, also sung by India Adams...the two versions of the same song can be observed back to back in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III.
share'Dancing In the Dark--' bar none!! So smooth, so romantic, and done without a lead-in song or a single piece of dialogue. Exquisite staging- from a silent, slightly nervous walk through a park right into a dance. And the dancing continues- on the park bench, up the stairs, and right back into the hansom carriage. And while there is no kiss, there is lots of heat.
shareYour description of this number is on the money...it's beautifully staged and they don't need to kiss...Tony and Gabrielle make love through the art of dance.
sharenobody's mentioning the girl hunt!? i'm undecided between dancing in the dark and girl hunt
share"The Girl Hunt Ballet" was spectacular as well, but there's something about that "Dancing in the Dark" number that just stays with you...
shareFred's shoeshine number in Times Square is my favorite.
After that, I would put I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans.
And then, The Girl Hunt Ballet.
Dancing in the Dark is excellent too, but I find it distracting that Cyd Charisse is continually slumping over or standing with legs bent or spread apart so that she will not appear so much taller than Fred.
There's not a bad number in this film but the sequences with Leroy Daniels in "Shine on My Shoes" are among the most exciting moments of dance that I've ever seen on film. Much of the high quality of all the musical numbers here is due to the arrangements of Conrad Salinger & Skip Martin.
share"Shine on your Shoes" is a great number too, but, as you said, there isn't a bad number in this film. Without a question, my favorite MGM musical.
shareI love most of the numbers - especially the "Girl Hunt Ballet" caf'e scene (Cyd in the red dress is soooooooooo mesmerising! Especially where she quickly whips out that incredibly looooong leg of hers - OH MY GOOOOSH, she's like sooooo what they call 'double-jointed'! I almost forget Astaire is there!).
"That's Entertainment" - a great piece of fun!
"Dancing In the Dark" - so beautiful. Cyd is beautiful (as always) and Astaire just attends and compliments her every move.... (sigh... oh, Cyd, you're a legend!!!!!!).
- and the deleted sequence with Charisse (on the Zone 1 bonus disc) "Two Faced Women"!
I share your obvious affection for the divine Ms. Charisse. And this movie was definitely her finest hour.
shareShine on Your Shoes and Girl Hunt both blew me away through its captivating music and choreography, they made me literally start attempting to hoof around the room in my jazz shoes with my trilby on (I'd love to learn how to dance in that style...)! Also a mention to Dancing in the Dark and the classicly brilliant That's Entertainment. I saw it for the first time today and really enjoyed it.
share "Dancing in the Dark" is my favorite. It is pure magic...as only Fred and Cyd can do.
LionHearted
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I love the Girl Hunt number with its elements of more modern dancing - one of my favourite bits is where the guys enter the cafè, then Fred thinking "When in Rome" tilts down his hat and "stomps" in. Great stuff.
But all in all The Band Wagon is so fantastic because of the variety of numbers: There's something for everyone. And the same goes for the cast: Different styles and strengths.
'Dancing In the Dark--' bar none!! So smooth, so romantic, and done without a lead-in song or a single piece of dialogue. Exquisite staging- from a silent, slightly nervous walk through a park right into a dance. And the dancing continues- on the park bench, up the stairs, and right back into the hansom carriage. And while there is no kiss, there is lots of heat.
Triplets is still my favorite after a repeat viewing this weekend.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
DANCING IN THE DARK, which ranks with WALTZ IN SWINGTIME as the essential Astaire Pas De Deux.
I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLANS, with Fred Astaire AND Jack Buchanan: The two greatest dancers of their time... They did it FIRST: Astaire in America and Buchanan in England.
I'm not mentioning Kelly, because he came later, and his style was entirely different.
To see the two Masters of Ballroom Style TOGETHER, is truly "ONE FOR THE AGES"!
"I do hope he won't upset Henry.."
My favorite musical sequence in this film is Louisiana Hayride. Nanette Fabray is excellent here, and I often wonder why she was never again used by MGM. She was attractive, qutie obviously photogenic, could actually act, and could sing the pants off a musical number. If anyone deserved leading lady musical roles in film, it was her.
share"Dancing in the Dark" is the best number in the film. I never liked the "Louisiana Hayride" number. Nanette Fabray had a decent career on Broadway and she is a pleasure to listen to on Original Cast Albums. She was a bit over the top for my taste on film.
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