MovieChat Forums > The Band Wagon (1953) Discussion > DVD Features?

DVD Features?

posted 19 years ago by Ryb33338
6 replies | jump to latest

I already own two editions of "The Band Wagon" on VHS. Does anyone have the DVD version? Are there any interesting special features that make it worth having?

[–] gaelicguy 19 years ago

There's commentary by Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein. Plus the usual trailers, et cetera. The film has been restored for the DVD and the colors are absolutely beautiful. Minnelli grates, but Feinstein grounds her and there are some very interesting insights by the pair.

If you like the film, I think it's worth the investment. I hope you enjoy it!

Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.

[–] dust-7 18 years ago

Liza tends to run out of things to say, and repeats some of the interesting anecdotes she remembered as a child (which is pretty remarkable), while they were filming on the set. Feinstein, as you say, keeps the commentary mostly on track. It's an interesting commentary.

The transfer was very well done, also as you say.

[–] FeelingSoSad 18 years ago

The fact that the DVD image quality itself is better than VHS makes it compulsory buying, but having the deleted sequence "Two Faced Woman" + the rough shots of that musical sequence with Cyd Charisse as an extra makes it ESSENTIAL! I just LOVE Cyd's dancing! I especially imported the Zone 1 version from the USA because the Australasian Zone 4 edition from my country DOESN'T have the "Two Faced Woman" segment (just WHAT were Zone 4 thinking when they omitted that from the extras!!!!!!!).

[–] Shaqfan4eternity 16 years ago

The commentary on the DVD features of this film is so funny to me. Liza gets so into the film, and she so excited about it, it's hilarious. She talks on and on about being there for the filming of the film, it's very interesting and amazing that she still remembers. I think it's well worth it 2 get the DVD, not only b/c it's a great film but the commentary is good too.

[–] teleadm-persson 18 years ago

On the Double-DVD zone 2 Scandinavia, are on Disc 1 The Movie with remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, but also a possibility to hear it in the original mono soundtrack. There is also a commentary track with Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein (I agree with the others comments about Liza). There is also a Fred Astaire trailer gallery of 6 or 8 movies ( I can't remmember how many) starting with Broadway Melody of 1940 and ending with Finian's Rainbow.

On Disc 2 is a Making-Of documentary called "Get Aboard! The Band Wagon" with among others Liza Minnelli, Cyd Charisse, Nanette Fabray and James Mitchell, around 30-35 minutes long.
A documentary called "The Men Who Made the Movies: Vincente Minnelli" that seems to have been made in the 70s, it's around 1 hour long.
And Finally an old, I guess from the early 30s, british short showing a bit of what background of Music Hall Jack Buchanan came from called "Jack Buchanan with the Glee Quartet", and that is around 6-7 minutes long.

[–] Bklyn4ever 17 years ago

That's a perfect rundown of the contents, teleadm-persson.

The Liza w/Michael Feinstein commentary had some good moments when the latter had obviously done his homework, but relied far too much on Liza gushing about how wonderful her Dad was and saying "This is my favorite part!" about one hundred times. Did anyone notice how little they both had to say about the living stars, Cyd Charisse and Nanette Fabray? They could have filled us on on their careers and backgrounds, instead of always referring to Cyd's dubbed-in singing or the way Nanette's character was based on Betty Comden.