The Band Wagon (1953) - The Girl Hunt Ballet - Fred Astaire - Cyd Charisse - Classic Musical Comedy
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Michael Kidd choreography, setting designed by Oliver Smith, Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse generating gangster heat in Vincente Minnelli's THE BAND WAGON ('53).
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I Can see Smooth Criminal and you rock my world
And Beyonce naughty girl
And Dangerous.
3:40 he even says it
And billie jean too
yup. don’t forget “Dangerous”
This is a masterpiece at every level. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who could dance like the background cast in this sequence let alone like Astaire and Charisse. The dialogue, music, art direction, costuming, and performances are all breathtaking. Charisse has pure animal magnetism combined with utter class, she is sensual and erotic in the artistic sense, not the commercial sense. She charges Astaire’s performance with sexuality and glamour on a nuclear scale.
Excellent synopsis!!!!!
Shows one that you need not shake like a day old bowl of jello, to prove one is sexy!!!! Ms. Charisse is exquisitely flawless in all her movements.!!!
Cyd Charisse in my opinion was one of Hollywoods most under rated dancer/actress. I never get tired of watching her movies.
Dancer yes, and I think she gets a lot of credit, but she was not much as an actress.
Yessgreat
ahL
Under rated? As a dancer. she was on top of the top. You don´t get Fred and Gene as partners if you are not considered the best or one of the bests.
As an Actress...well, that s another story. She was mediocre, if you feel generous.
@@ZephaniahL Yes, I have heard that from other people before. People saying she was not much of an actress. I just think she was so good of a dancer that people had a hard time seeing her as just an actress. She always played the part she was supposed to play and always was convincing. I have seen all of Cyd's work including all the acting roles she had after she left MGM until she died. After she left MGM Cyd took on only acting roles on TV and she was quite good. Have you ever seen her in "Tales of an Escort" made in 1990? She played a very convincing hard nosed business woman who ran a brothel. She was also good in the TV Soap Opera Glitter 1984 where she plays Ginger Rogers' boss. Cyd played in many TV dramas as she got older and she seemed thoroughly convincing to me. She played opposite Marilyn Monroe in Something's Got To Give (1961) and was very good in MGM's Party Girl. 1958...a movie about the crime syndicate.
“She was bad. She was dangerous.” Two of Michael’s album names right there
she was a Thriller, too.
@@richardtriance5207 Ah, you Beat me to It.
And part of the lyrics of Dangerous itself
@@praapjeshe could have been the Lady in My Life
😂😂😂😂
Cyd Charisse is phenomenal!
The happiness I feel when I watch this is sublime
That look on her face when she's sitting at the bar. Like a Lioness contemplating what's about to become her next meal. He never stood a chance.
She unveils that dress and it's game over. Nothing else exists. Onstage with arguably the best in his field, some say the best maybe ever, and he doesn't even exist except as a thing for her to interact with. Absolutely incredible.
The cycle of nostalgia is fascinating. 80s nostalgia is hot right now, which is what brought some of us to Smooth Criminal. In the 80s, the hot deal was 50s nostalgia (think Happy Days, Back to the Future, and SMOOTH CRIMINAL). Now we're here, the 50s. But look closely. This video is a nostalgic love letter to the 1920s with speakeasies, prohibition gangsters and hardboiled noir detectives.
Interesting observation :)
Wow, amazing comment. No one would have known this is supposed to be about the 20s unless you told us - everyone thought this is what the 50s were like. You have such amazing observation skills. Maybe next you can explain that grass is green, and the sky is blue, and they're not the same thing.
@@rodmunch69 The "look closely" was obviously sarcastic. But the real point wasn't the 20s, it was about the 25-year nostalgia cycle.
@@JETZcorp yeah, that's what I was saying. Thanks.
@@rodmunch69 Dick. 112 people gained from something his comment and all you could produce was this shit. Go be useless somewhere else.
It shows that MJ had great taste, loved the classics and borrowed (with genius) from the very best of the best: Fred Astaire. When I see MJ in Smooth Criminal, I see Fred Astaire and vice versa. What more can be said?
Stealing isn't borrowing..
@@MrBrutal33 Picasso used to say that 'good artists copy, great artists steal'
@@MrBrutal33 There are enough photos of MJ and Fred Astaire together, starting when MJ was in the Jackson 5. He was obviously paying tribute to Fred Astaire.
@@MrBrutal33
Astaire was friends with Michael and before he passed, he explicitly mentioned Jackson as his successor.
@@MrBrutal33 Well it’s clear to me that you have no talents in the arts. Because if you did, you would know that taking from others helps the creative process. And ‘stealing’ is not actually stealing if you can turn it around and make it yours.
Cyd Charisse she was so underrated as an actress and as a dancer. Cyd was an incredible talent. So much of the focus in dance scenes is put on Gene Kelly and Fred Astair when they have danced with Cyd. Kind of annoys me really because all eyes on Cyd Charisse. I can tell you for a fact when my family have watched the dance scenes in many of her films, the guys and the girls are commenting on, and watching Cyd not her male dance partners in the scenes.
She was beautiful, talented, she had a great figure, and boy oh boy what a set of legs she had on her. Rest in Peace Miss Cyd Charisse, you were beyond fantastic. Thank you for this video clip.
Fred: “She came to me in sections... she was bad, she was dangerous”
MJ: “she came to me in sections... the girl was bad, the girl was dangerous”
Love them both
"More curves than a scenic railway" God, how I love that line!
oh my god
Michael Jackson did with his Dangerous song
I saw in genius lyrics 😅
Mj fans should watch a 60 70s movie called "the little prince" the "snake's" dance with Bob Fosse. Mj copied that dance almost step by step.
Cyd Charisse at her absolute best and most gorgeous.
You will never see this Exquisite Superb Talent on every level in anything Today. Never.
The Girl Hunt Ballet is probably my favorite dance number
Alexander Wells Agreed, this is one of the most beautifully conceived musical numbers ever. The satirical nod to film noir, the beauty of Cyd Charisse, the genius of Fed Astaire, the choreography, the humour and the fabulous jazz score. Not to mention the huge influence this number had on Michael Jackson.
@@BeBeXGen Jazz is my kind of music
And so is this one for me ruclips.net/video/JpCLxnVpgbo/видео.html
@Alexander Wells: Commented when I posted this just now that it’s among my very favorite musical numbers, ever. And it still delights me after seeing the movie dozens of times over decades. Visually fantastic, wonderful script, and Astaire has exactly the right tone for Rod Riley. Charisse looks like she’s having fun, too.
I absolutely love it. But my choice for No.1 would have to be 'Limehouse Blues' from 'Ziegfeld Follies'. (Probably wouldn't cut it in today's PC climate.)
5:02 that slide lives in my brain rent-free, I swear.
I always think, "Her poor knees."
I keep wondering what they put on the floor to make that possible at all.
The bit about the rag, the bone, and the hank of hair being the clue is priceless -- it is a quote from a Kipling poem about a woman unworthy of her lover's true devotion. In other words, the "guy was trying to tell me something" was a warning about the femme fatale (both blonde and brunette) portrayed by Cyd Charisse.
Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire : perfection ! ❤❤❤
Those legs ... Wow !!! ❤❤❤
Simplemente FABULOSO este breve Ballet Americano de aquellos tiempos !!!!
El PODER de un pais o Cultura no solo es economico...sino; su GRANDIOSO ARTE. Es gracias a este medio (youytbe), que uno conoce esta MARAVILLA, aunque sea algo tarde....Ojala difundan el Arte de estos dias amigos de USA. saludos de Peru.
Fred was born in 1899. He was in his 50s doing this stuff! So much respect.
He quit smoking and got into incredible shape in order to extend his career. The dancing he did in his early 50s was incredible.
I knew nothing of this til it popped up on Facebook a pic of Cyd and Fred. I don’t dance, act or sing but sought this out and now going watch it all today
Such fabulous dancing coupled with parody is rare, and this is done with incomparable heart and art! Masterful, funny, and dazzling. Nothing in this world can surpass Astaire & Charisse!
Pure perfection, by two brilliantly talented dancers.
I was today years old when I realized Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago was doing Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon.
Not that anyone cares, but Astaire was 54 in this movie.
I care!! Astaire was a legend!
I care..you jus taught me something..about CZJ I didnt know ..I've seen Chicago billions of times...still my favorite part was with Richard and Renne' in They Both Reach For The Gun...at 54 he moved better then most young cats now...He was and still is a Legend
Beyonce is, also, doing Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon in her "Naughty Girl" music video (the scene with the red dress).
Yeah, only middle-aged. What’s actually impressive is that he was still able to do it in his 70s, as he did at the Oscars.
Mr Astaire was the greatest dancer - An utter perfectionist who would only dance with the best, and all of his wonderful partners qualified.
However, I think Ms Charisse was the only one who was his equal, not only in talent, but in sheer magnetism.
Either together, or as individuals, they were the definition of class and elegance, just pure magic.
Think what the world would have lost if the six year old Cyd Charisse hadn't caught polio. She started dancing lessons as part of her recovery process.
He also had a very good chemistry with Rita Hayworth, who was a phenomenal dancer too. But I agree, his partnering with Cyd Charisse was entrancing... Such a gorgeous dancer, Cyd...
Sooo my friend asked me, "Why don't you like La La Land?.That movie so popular and good."
Hm..I can't watch La La Land anymore after watch Fred Astaire dancing.Real legend, real artist, fantastic.
Still can
He was the best!
Today if you need a dance number in a motion picture you find an actor who cannot dance and you teach him a few steps and let the AI computer software do the rest. Sad but true.
It’s tough to be a woman dancer over 5’5, Cyd really uses her length well though I can see where she’s shrinking herself, eg a lot more bend in knee and arms to avoid towering over Astaire. This might be why she wasn’t one of his main partners, as good as she was, men (and audiences probably too) prefer smaller dancers.
@@lisabrooks3571 Cyd danced in three movies with Fred...Silk Stockings, The Bandwagon, and Ziegfield Follies.
Cyd Charisse is the best dancer to have walked the planet
Oh my good another overreacting kid
Formerly a ballet dancer.
@@dannyhustle2599 Beats being a grumpy pensioner.
Eleanor Powell is pretty amazing too
The whole package of perfection!
8:02 is where Michael Jackson got that dance move from and did it in Rock My World in 2001
Michael Kidd was innovative.
That reminds me of Karloff as Frankenstein's monster.
I knew it! Lol ❤️
And Beyonce with " naughty girl"
Fred Astaire was one of Michael Jackson's idols, this is said to have been an inspiration for smooth criminal... "study the greats and become greater".
One of the best scenes in a musical, ever! So ahead of it's time and maybe that's why I always thought it was really distinct from the rest of the movie.
And I'm so glad the whole thing is here.
Masterpiece, masterpiece, masterpieceeeee.
No arguement there - the whole thing is simply breath taking ! Kudos too, to those backing dancers - the sheer agility, timing and poise - utter perfection !
As for Astaire and Charise, no words.....
I've seen this marvelous gem of a movie in big-screen revivals several times; and EVERY time, when Cyd Charisse takes that coat off at 8:37 to reveal that jaw-dropping red dress, there are GASPS throughout the theater. "The Girl Hunt Ballet", and the "Broadway Melody" sequence from "Singin' In The Rain" would be my choices for "The Two Film Sequences I Would Choose To Have With Me On A Desert Island".
I have the same feeling. I know it's coming. It's on the movie poster. It's the iconic costume from the movie. And I ALWAYS get chills. She knows she looks impeccable. Oh to be Cyd Charisse!
What impeccable taste you have. I first saw this on a theater screen at age 11 in 1977 at the Regency (remember it like yesterday) and several times since, last time in the late '90's sitting right next to Betty Comden and Adolph Green!
Absolutely marvelous, a true climax, gasp inducing indeed. Thoroughly impressed. every single time.
always!
@@kennethwayne6857 GOD, how I envy you! Even if you didn't get a chance to talk with them, just being that close to two of the maestri of the great MGM musicals would be unforgettable.
Lord..how many hours of practice went in to this?
🔥 The backup dancers were 🔥 pure fire! Cyd Charisse let everybody it and nobody could handle it. Her dance flow in this sequence is breathtaking.
Julie Newmar is in the dress shop scene.
Scenography, choreography, the costumes, the score....brilliant on all levels.
Wow,.We must remember this was hollywood's golden age.
Beautifully choreographed dance numbers.
Wow, I'm crushing on Cyd Charisse.
For those smarties in the comment, no Michael did not steal this, it was in tribute to Fred Astaire who had died in 1987, when this was made. It was not stealing, he literally dedicated it to Fred Astaire - the book Moonwalk literally starts with a dedicated tribute to Fred Astaire lol... Michael did this because Fred Astaire was his idol and because Fred Astaire literally called him up after the Motown 25 performance when Michael was crying because he thought it was awful. Fred said he could die happy knowing Michael Jackson lived, he said Michael was the best dancer he had ever seen. Michael was no thief, this was a tribute.
In the arts they call it "influenced by".
Shortly before he passed away in 1987, Fred Astaire said, "I didn't want to leave this world without knowing who my descendant was. Thank you, Michael."
Michael Kidd is a brilliant choreographer!
One of The best movies ever made!!
and the best musical.
Alongside with Singin' In The Rain (my favorite movie)
Cyd Charisse once called my place of business and I surprised myself by recognizing her voice so I asked, "Excuse me but might you be Cyd Charisse?
In her most old Hollywood voice she answered, "Why yes!"
Good job! All I would have gotten out was, "Homina, homina, homina.."
What a persiflage, what humorous wit, what choreography, what dancing, what perfection! Thank you!
Fred Astire an iconic musical genius! Michael Jackson was heavily influenced by him. MJ got the idea for "Smooth Crimial" from this musical skit. But also for "Billie Jean", "Rock My World" and the chorus to "Dangerous". Fred Astire was one of MJ's biggest influences as well as Charlie Chapman, James Brown and Jackie Wilson all incredible talents and staples in music history!
i thought the same awesome
I just remembered that MJ was a major inspiration for Beyonce so it's no surprise that she borrowed from the same source as him in her music video "Naughty Girl" with Usher.
And Michael Jackson was there to preserve their legacies.
@@kathleenmaclachlan1541 No one is getting silly over it.
@@kathleenmaclachlan1541 Actually, we were all talking about how Fred Astaire was an influence on Michael Jackson, a fact which you obviously missed.
Incredible production.
Fred made 31 musicsl films ( 10 of which were with Ginger Rogers) with usually 3 or 4 dance routines in each. He is widely considered the greatest film dancer of the 20th Century. His last big.movie musical was 'Silk Stockings' with
Cyd Charrise in 1958....Fred was an unbelievable 59. His autobiography written in 1958 is a good read for those interested
in learning more about his phenominal career and how it all began. As Gene Kelly once said "there will never be another Fred Astaire".
I stand corrected!
No never,amazing artistic talent.
Yet, when Fred Astaire appeared on Dick Cavett he was extremely matter of fact about his dancing abilities. He admitted he never trained formally, not even in ballet and he regretted it terribly. He learned on the job and he did go to dancing school for a while with his sister. He said he could have been a much better dancer if he had trained like Neureyov, the famous ballet dancer who was also on Cavett that week. He went on to say that he made up for his lack of training by using props in his dancing and props included multiple women he danced with on screen. Props also included dancing up and down staircases, twirling a cane and becoming an excellent tap dancer. Screen tricks helped make him seem like a better dancer like in Royal Wedding when he seemingly danced upside down or when he danced next to dancing shoes. Neuroyev did not need props and Neureyov and Astaire both seemed reluctant to discuss each others work.
Michael learnt from the greats and became the greatest ❤💯
Fred Astaire the choreography worshipper! My biggest inspiration.
The director of Smooth Criminal had shown Michael Jackson this clip.The Smooth Criminal video borrows heavily from this. The choreographer for Girl Hunt is Michael Kidd.I liked how Michael Jackson could incorporate some of these moves and some of the lyrics and make them modern. Fred and Michael were both admirers of each others work.
Also the dance moves for dangerous the song and the lyrics, obviously
Cyd as a blonde! Damn, what a beauty as a blonde, brunette, whatever! And, that splits she does at 6:00 and taking off her jacket at 8:30! Most beautiful, athletic, and talented dancer!
Yup.
Smooth Criminal..."old" version 😄😜🔥 for Michael, Astaire was a "source of inspiration" in his musical career 💙
I heard or read somewhere that Fred felt he was falling into a rut, so he said to Michael Kidd, 'make me move in ways I never have before, and do things people don't associate with Astaire'. Then quickly came to regret it.
@Randy White A favorite of mine too, definitely.
Not so much 'old' as original!
Shortly before Fred Astaire passed away in 1987, he said, "I didn't want to leave this world without knowing who my descendant was. Thank you, Michael."
My favorite movie dance number. It’s funny, too, as it spoofs Mikey Spillane novels and those great Dick Powell film noir movies, such as when he played Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet.
See if you can spot a particular use of the camera that was utilized in Murder My Sweet.
I love watching Michael Kidd’s signature moves.
Fred was probably 52 or 53 years old when he performed this dance. Amazing, really.
Fred was 54 years old when he made this movie. Incredible that he had this much control and strength in his dancing at this age.
54
The Girl Hunt Ballet ranks right up there with the Broadway Melody scene from "Singing in the Rain" with Gene Kelly.
Cyd Charrise was the femme fatale in both numbers!
Ladies and Gentlemen, it never got any better than that!
This was 11:58 mins of PURE entertainment. I can't believe it (thought I read it here) that Astaire was 54 making this movie.LOVED the shotguns cracking! I'm always amazed how they got everything spot-on in these movies?
That french horn at 10:50 ..... just wow. Hats off to Conrad Salinger.
I love the Old Hollywood musicals, in color, they are fun to watch, those gowns are so beautiful
The sets, dancing, and narrative in this sequence is 🔥Masterful.
Such grace, class, and elegance.
Indeed so.
When Hollywood was truly Magic!
Sublime Astaire , sublime Charisse and sublime all the mal dancers. A real work of art.
The art direction through… incredible!!
This whole scene is smooth criminal the beginning, even the fights.
No, smooth criminal ripped this off not the other way around!
@@MrBrutal33 lol
@@MrBrutal33 he didn't rip it off and that's not what the comment means
Love this movie and especially this dance routine. Thanks so much for posting this!
I bought this movie a few days ago and I freaking LOVE this entire ballet sequence. Musicals just aren’t classy and cool like this anymore.
This is one of three old-school Hollywood ballets - the other two being from "An American In Paris" and Broadway Rhythm ballet from "Singing In The Rain", all from MGM...and all genius.
@@richin2123 I also love Gene's ballets in 'The Pirate' and the 'Slaughter on Tenth Avenue' from 'Words and Music'. Perhaps not as lavish as the other three but true classics.
I hope y'all mean " ballet" as in a piece of choreography because the dance style is jazz not ballet
@@JacquelineSoulchick the official term for this type of dance sequence in a musical is called a dream ballet, because it advances the plot without the use of dialogue or singing. just look up the noun definition of ballet, not the verb. you're right that this dance style is not ballet but a lot of the old ones actually did have ballet and/or pointe :)
Nothing is classy and cool like this anymore
That outfit and coat is so amazing
There will obviously never be another Fred Astaire.An amazing dancer who practiced tirelessly until the routine was perfect. I know everyone thinks Ginger Rogers was his perfect dance partner but I think it was Cyd Charisse. She is a beautiful dancer. They were so flawless especially in this performance. And who wouldn’t want those legs!!
At around 2:00, he directly quotes Kipling’s poem “The Vampire”-“a rag, a bone, and a hank of hair”! (“We called her the woman who did not care.”) Nicely done!
That slide by Cyd Charisse at 5:05!
I have never heard of this movie. I have to watch it now.
You loved it??
Soooo many good oldies. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.
@@wandertree you spoke all the true
I've been looking for this since that one scene in Shall We Dance. 6 years since i first saw that movie.
Amazing beauty and talent ! ❤❤❤
Class ! ❤❤❤
One of my favorite dance number ! ❤❤❤
Sometimes the Algorithm shows me weird things and places.
Today it showed me a beautiful masterpiece.
If all ballets were like this, I'd be interested.
sometimes sexy dancing for ballet . very well done. TCM is a great channel. I am 38 but love these old films
Fred Astaire 🎉🇬🇧 such a great actor 👏 awesome 👍 movie so mysterious movie 🎥
Yes
I like Fred Astaire movies 🎥
cyd's legs are the most beautiful ever
Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal, Bad, Dangerous, You Rock My World soo many references! Pure genius
It also has the Billie Jean music video reference in there too.
This is greatness first time watching film like this I got to learn them moves.
Love this scene! Classic!
My first time seeing this!
Fred Astaire y Cyd Charisse son bailarines magníficos.
I LOVE this movie 😍
Such a good movie :))))
So we know about Smooth Criminal but, the rag Fred found looks like the rag Michael dropped in Billie Jean. Also, "She was bad; she was dangerous," is similar to a line from Michael's song, Dangerous!
Love watching her move. It was so unique. And the fashions, henny!!! So good.
Bob Fosse was getting credit for slithering around on his knees in 'Kiss Me Kate' (same year). but check out Cyd at 5:04.
Michael Kidd was at his peak. As an ex-ballet dancer he knew how to bring out Cyd's best, here and in 'Dancing in the Dark'. Soon afterwards he choreographed the barn-raising in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'.
I see Smooth Criminal and Dangerous influences all throughout
Those women...❤️
Cyd Charisse, what a knockout!
This man was a Genius 👏❤️🔥🔥🔥
Magnificent!!!! ❤❤❤❤
The direct inspiration for Smooth criminal, Fred Astaire was one of Michael Jackson's idol's he credited him often for his influence
@8:05 definitely one of Michaels favorite dance moves
Mind-blowing performances all round. And I can't help thinking this is where the inspiration for Art of Noise's Peter Gunn music video came from.
Great work❤️
Influential...once influenced and inspired🔥
Never forget MJ
Que calidad ARTÍSTICA tan GENIAL !!!!, y de aquellos tiempos...!!!! Gracias, gracias al Internet y RUclips, tenemos la suerte de ver y disfrutar al fin, de semejante BELLEZA ARTÍSTICA... en esos años, yo tenia recien 03 años de edad e ignorábamos por completo en este mi pais de Peru. FELICITACIONES amigos norteamericanos por este Gran ARTE !!!!
Michael aprendeu com um gênio ❤ tem muita referência em smooth criminal e you rock my world.
"She came at me in sections with the eyes of desire"
"The girl was bad, the girl was dangerous"
~ Michael Jackson (Dangerous)
This was fun to Watch
Great dance video. 🔥🔥🔥
FABULOUS ❤❤❤
I was now years old when I see that Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” video was based on this scene, even down to Fred Estaire’s wardrobe.
This is so beautifully clear
Besides everything else, the music here is excellent as well.
There will never be another one like her , ever !!!
I love this so much
11:33 "The girl was bad. The girl was dangerous."