The Band Wagon

Ben Mankiewicz introduces The Band Wagon, 1953.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces The Band Wagon, 1953.

Introduction and comments following The Band Wagon, 1953, from Dave Karger and special guest Michael Feinstein.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces The Band Wagon, 1953.

Unwilling co-stars, old-movie hoofer Tony (Fred Astaire) and ballerina Gaby (Cyd Charisse) have a rocky first meeting, each about to storm out when they learn that their nutty director Cordova (Jack Buchanan) has won over the financiers, in Vincente Minnelli's The Band Wagon, 1953.

A Broadway artiste turns a faded film star's comeback vehicle into an artsy flop in The Band Wagon (1953), starring Fred Astaire.

Ballerina Gaby (Cyd Charisse) and comeback-track movie star Tony (Fred Astaire) have suddenly warmed to each other, strolling in Central Park into "Dancing In The Dark," by Arthur Schwartz, choreographed by Michael Kidd, in The Band Wagon, 1953.

Michael Kidd choreography, setting designed by Oliver Smith, in the "Dem Bones Cafe" section of the "Girl Hunt" ballet, Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse generating gangster heat, in Vincente Minnelli's The Band Wagon, 1953.

Bloviating director Cordova (Jack Buchanan) has just fallen from a platform while making his point, which he continues for Lester & Lily (Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray) and Tony (Fred Astaire), a now-famous tune by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, in Vincente Minnelli's The Band Wagon, 1953.

Faded movie star Tony (Fred Astaire) hanging in a Manhattan arcade, kicks into a famous number, Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz's "A Shine On Your Shoes," choreography by Michael Kidd, Leroy Daniels featured, in The Band Wagon, 1953.