The Band Wagon (1953)

[Akijama]

Courtesy of WB

The Band Wagon Blu-ray

Source: WB press site

[Akijama]

Amazon pre-order http://www.amazon.com/Band-Wagon-Blu...5202042&sr=1-7

[Nika]

Wow I've been wanting this forever!

[jfearnside]

I'm really surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This is a great film, with gorgeous sets, some of Fred's best dance numbers, and, of course, a stunning Cyd Charisse in a full starring role. The Blu-ray looks phenomenal, a clear upgrade in picture quality. No issues with that whatsoever. But I was disappointed to find that the original mono audio option from the 2-disc DVD had been dropped, along with the really cool outtake of the "Two Faced Woman" number. Was there really no room for these? I couldn't find any specs on this disc regarding how much space it used, but I can't imagine those items could take up too much space. We do get a Tex Avery cartoon, "The Three Little Pups," that wasn't on the DVD, so that's cool.

I would just go ahead and keep my DVD, but with room on my shelves at a premium, I don't know if it's worth it just for the outtake number, fascinating as it is.

[G. Costanz]

Originally Posted by jfearnside

I'm really surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This is a great film, with gorgeous sets, some of Fred's best dance numbers, and, of course, a stunning Cyd Charisse in a full starring role. The Blu-ray looks phenomenal, a clear upgrade in picture quality. .

Funny, the only reason why I opened this thread was to comment on how few comments were made for such a classic film in a relatively old thread.

You're right, though. This is one of the best. Everyone should have at least one copy in their collection.

Sometimes I wish that people would put the big names associated with the movies in thread titles to help pique the interest of those who may not be familiar with a given film. I mean, at least Fred Astaire's name in the thread title might lead to a few more clicks, if not Minnelli or Cyd.

Even if someone doesn't care for musicals, who can resist Cyd Charisse in high definition?

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by jfearnside

I'm really surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This is a great film, with gorgeous sets, some of Fred's best dance numbers, and, of course, a stunning Cyd Charisse in a full starring role. The Blu-ray looks phenomenal, a clear upgrade in picture quality. No issues with that whatsoever. But I was disappointed to find that the original mono audio option from the 2-disc DVD had been dropped, along with the really cool outtake of the "Two Faced Woman" number. Was there really no room for these? I couldn't find any specs on this disc regarding how much space it used, but I can't imagine those items could take up too much space. We do get a Tex Avery cartoon, "The Three Little Pups," that wasn't on the DVD, so that's cool.

I would just go ahead and keep my DVD, but with room on my shelves at a premium, I don't know if it's worth it just for the outtake number, fascinating as it is.

You could always transfer the discs to a three-disc blu-ray case then you wouldn’t take up any extra shelf space.

[lilboyblu]

Really liked this one too. I stupidly sold it off and need to rebuy at some point. Definitely one of the best Astaire musicals I’ve seen. What others would people recommend from his later career? I’ve been getting familiar with his early Ginger Rogers flicks as of late, but really don’t know much about his later stuff aside from this. Holiday Inn is decent, but I see it as more of a Bing Crosby showcase. Funny Face didn’t really work for me due to the huge age difference between Fred and Audrey Hepburn. Of the others that have Blu-rays, what would you all recommend amongst these: Easter Parade, Daddy Long Legs, or Silk Stockings? Any as good as The Band Wagon?

Edit: Royal Wedding (and Belle of New York) are already on my radar.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

Really liked this one too. I stupidly sold it off and need to rebuy at some point. Definitely one of the best Astaire musicals I’ve seen. What others would people recommend from his later career? I’ve been getting familiar with his early Ginger Rogers flicks as of late, but really don’t know much about his later stuff aside from this. Holiday Inn is decent, but I see it as more of a Bing Crosby showcase. Funny Face didn’t really work for me due to the huge age difference between Fred and Audrey Hepburn. What would you all recommend amongst: Easter Parade, Daddy Long Legs, and Silk Stockings? Any as good as The Band Wagon?

I like Silk Stockings because I’m a Cyd Charisse fan so I would personally put that at the top of my list although objectively I think Easter Parade is the slightly better film and better showcase for some classic Astaire dance numbers. Daddy Long Legs is my least favourite of those three and if you’re put off by the age difference thing in Funny Face then this won’t be any better, plus I really can’t stand Leslie Caron all that much.

[lilboyblu]

Thanks for the input. Read others say good things about Silk Stockings, too. The Great Owl, maybe? But yeah, the former and Easter Parade were the two I was leaning towards. Have yet to see anybody in this community that really enjoyed Daddy Long Legs. I just wish WAC would start putting out those Ginger Rogers collaborations; Top Hat and Roberta especially.

[jfearnside]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

You could always transfer the discs to a three-disc blu-ray case then you wouldn’t take up any extra shelf space.

I could, but I'm kind of funny about wanting to keep the original art (boxes, booklets, etc.) for all of my films. I'll figure it out. Thanks for the input.

BTW, I love your avatar with Cyd Charisse's leg blowing Gene Kelly's mind!

[jfearnside]

Originally Posted by lilboyblu

Of the others that have Blu-rays, what would you all recommend amongst these: Easter Parade, Daddy Long Legs, or Silk Stockings? Any as good as The Band Wagon?

Silk Stockings is the best film of these, but I've heard negative things about the Blu-ray release (I have it on DVD). Easter Parade looks great on Blu!

Another personal fave late Astaire for me is Finian's Rainbow.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by jfearnside

I could, but I'm kind of funny about wanting to keep the original art (boxes, booklets, etc.) for all of my films. I'll figure it out. Thanks for the input.

BTW, I love your avatar with Cyd Charisse's leg blowing Gene Kelly's mind!

Thanks. I actually have a high resolution version of this pic as the background on my phone:

6F1ACA35-5508-484B-8CAC-C9A90D0D8FB4.jpg

[pete8139]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I like Silk Stockings because I’m a Cyd Charisse fan so I would personally put that at the top of my list although objectively I think Easter Parade is the slightly better film and better showcase for some classic Astaire dance numbers.

I agree with the others that Silk Stockings is the best of the musicals Astaire did late in his career. Cyd Charisse was a great partner for him - their dances are equal to, if not even better than, the ones in The Bandwagon - and they have a truly sublime dance to a great Cole Porter song, "All of You." I'm also a huge Charisse fan; she has two knockout numbers in this movie, one a solo and the other with an ensemble of dancers. The review on this site noted some problems with the blu-ray, but they don't bother me.

[jfearnside]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Thanks. I actually have a high resolution version of this pic as the background on my phone:

Attachment 188670

Wow! She embodied grace and glamour in equal measures. Astaire looks debonair, too.

[jfearnside]

Originally Posted by pete8139

I agree with the others that Silk Stockings is the best of the musicals Astaire did late in his career. Cyd Charisse was a great partner for him - their dances are equal to, if not even better than, the ones in The Bandwagon - and they have a truly sublime dance to a great Cole Porter song, "All of You." I'm also a huge Charisse fan; she has two knockout numbers in this movie, one a solo and the other with an ensemble of dancers. The review on this site noted some problems with the blu-ray, but they don't bother me.

So is the Blu-ray despite some issues still a significant upgrade from DVD, or am I better off holding out for a better transfer in the future?

I agree 100 percent with what you write about the film itself.

[lilboyblu]

Thanks for the responses! Silk Stockings has been added to my WAC wishlist.