Myriam Nys This is one of the best and funniest musicals I have ever seen.I'm particularly fond of the plot line where inoffensive artists start out with a project and end up with a wholly different project : what is supposed to be a lighthearted variety show with lots of jolly, frothy numbers turns into a Faust-inspired tragedy with enough hell and damnation to stagger a televangelist. It is very recognizable because it taps into a near-universal fear of artists everywhere. You succeed in finding an ally - a backer, a publisher, a maecenas - and then the said ally begins to twist and bend your work beyond recognition. ("I read your manuscript and I love, love, love it ! It is the best psychological novel on the effects of political persecution ever written in this country ! But I'm a bit concerned about the hero's suicide - couldn't he just die of cancer ? And give him a wife and three daughters, that'll make him more human. And throw in a little poodle, rescued from a shelter. Could you include a bit about Cleopatra ? Make her a redhead, people like reading about sassy redheads.") One of the most memorable highlights is the "Girl Hunt" sequence, both a parody of and an homage to the noir genre. Both Astaire and Charisse are beyond praise and their superbly choreographed mating dance in the Bones bar lights up the screen with a nuclear intensity. The text is excellent too. Who can forget pronouncements like "She came at me in sections - more curves than a scenic railway" ? The person who wrote this spoof spoke Noir like other people speak French or Spanish. I don't know how much he (or she ?) was paid, but it wasn't enough.

Charles Reichenthal I sit on the fence, a little, when naming my favorite musical of all time. 'West Side Story' really does stand alone, but it is not the usual Hollywood musical. For that, I am always torn between 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'Band Wagon'...Two giant testaments to what musicals could do when written with wit and charm, played exquisitely, sung and danced with originality, spunk,and whirlwind teamwork. Band Wagon is a monumental achievement by looking so relaxed and easy, and following a story line that spells of REALITY. Yes, a potential Broadway flop is like it is in the depiction of this pre-Broadway tryout Brilliant storytelling - a has been Hollywood star, a dancer trying a first time Broadway showcase, a supposed 'genius; of the theater world, etc. And the music - wow! - including the new 'That's Entertainment'!! 'Triplets' is a howl, and the Astaire-Charisse 'Dancing in the Dark' is flawless without being flamboyant. This one is a treasure trove of what was best in the Hollywood of yore. But still torn between this one and 'Singin' in the Rain', with a special spot eternally reserved for 'West Side Story'. Of course, now I think of adding 'An American in Paris' - it, too, is in the pantheon. And just below them is a half-forgotten masterpiece from Columbia -- The fantastic Betty Garrett, the lovely and lithe Janet Leigh, the superb Jack Lemmon...and the brilliant work of Bob Fosse and Tommy Rall - the dance in the alleyway behind the burlesque theater - the musical version of My Sister Eileen. The studio had wanted to film the same story as done on Broadway - Wonderful Town - but rights somehow got involved. But this film, with a new score, is lyrical and comedic dynamite!

jacobs-greenwood The musical which features the song "That's Entertainment" (#45 on AFI's Top 100 Movie Songs of All Time) as well as Fred Astaire, Jack Buchanan, Nanette Fabray, Cyd Charisse, and Oscar Levant. It received three Oscar nominations: Score, Color Costume Design, and Writing (Story & Screenplay) and was added to the National Film Registry in 1995. #17 on AFI's 25 Greatest Movie Musicals list.Fred Astaire's character feels that his style of song and dance is out of date and is thinking of retiring. However, some old friends of his (Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant) have a great idea for a show to showcase his talents. They've been working as writers for a flamboyant producer, director, showman (Jack Buchanan in a career performance) who quickly seizes upon the idea to create an updated version of Faust starring a famous ballerina (Cyd Charisse), who's boyfriend (Paul Mitchell) is not too happy about the idea. Steve Forrest, Ava Gardner as herself, and Emory Parnell appear uncredited in this terrific comedy, musical.

gavin6942 A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.Many critics rank this film, along with "Singin' in the Rain", as the finest of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals, although it was only a modest box-office success. I have to agree with those critics. Although I am not huge on musicals, every so often one speaks to me, and this was one of them. Definitely one of MGM's best, quite possibly Minnelli's best (I tend to think his work is overrated).Fred Astaire does not necessarily get his best dance moves here, but he gets to act and play the distinguished elder of the dancing community. Among his later films, this is definitely one of the best... I would be torn between this and "Daddy Long Legs".