As Gene Kelly was the first choice for the main character, then taken over by Fred Astaire after Gene broke his ankle, I wonder if that is why Bobby Watson appears as Fred's backstage valet, as he had appeared with Gene as the long-suffering elocution teacher in "Singin'in the Rain". Lots of stars have their own favourite bit part actors.
shareI believe it was "Easter Parade" from 1948 in which Astaire replaced Kelly. (Somewhat related, Cyd Charisse was replaced in that movie by Ann Miller.) I'm glad you pointed out that Watson was the elocution teacher in "Singin' in the Rain"; he looked familiar but I didn't place him.
shareApparently, this is the same Bobby Watson who appeared in many films in the part of Adolf Hitler starting in the early 40s. (Marlene Dietrich is said to have decked him when she came across him in the hall.) But he played many other small parts including, yes, the "Moses Supposes" elocution coach in "Singin' in the Rain".
shareYes, it was Easter Parade for which Fred Astaire took over for Gene Kelly, not The Band Wagon. This charachter was based in part of Fred's personal career situation. He was in retirement when Gene Kelly asked him to take over for him in Easter Parade.
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