The Band Wagon (1953) + Other Movies

 

Well, it's that time of month, Happy Holidays everyone! 

Anyways, I want to start fairly normal right now. It's officially been a year since I did a series of posts that were ideas for an Artmania Christmas Special and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure about the whole thing. I changed my style a little more and became less keen on movies without a coherent plot whatsoever.

Recently I went on [FILMGRAB] and was inspired by pictures online, they felt like the best bits from the actual movies. 

It's been exactly 5 months since I last watched The Band Wagon (1953), it's still mostly phenomenal work to this day despite some of the characters. 

MGM musicals. While there isn't too much structure, their Technicolor movies are beautiful and have the best songs in cinema, that's why I easily like them especially when they create novelty sequences most of the time. 

This movie is well-known for the third act. It's like nothing you'd ever see in older movies, so much effort and creativity, yet it moves at an equitable pace. Look at the red staircases and the camera angle. It's satisfying.

 

Here's another example from The 39 Steps, I bought it on DVD and it did not look like the scenes above mostly because I bought it at the flea market and expected it to be somewhat decent. 

This movie has great cinematography. However, I just wasn't too amused by the rest.

I was slightly disappointed after watching the movie because I expected something more cruel, and frightening, it's mostly mellow and doesn't have too much storywise which is why it didn't really do anything for me.

Now am I judging or criticizing these films harshly? No. These were products at the time, and it's fair for me to express my opinions on a certain film. I have not once ever watched a film that ruined me ever, none of the films I watched wasted my time because why is that a considerably good thing to say? Nothing is a waste of time, it's part of learning and knowing your perspective.

I honestly like experiencing new things almost all the time. I would never know whenever I like a film or not. Here's another B&W movie, Winter Light (1963). It's a better paced film than The 39 Steps (1935). Realistic dialogue, a story that expresses real situations and events and more focus. It's a great film with a mix of Christian imagery.

Now if you mixed Winter Light and The Band Wagon simultaneously, it's something I would equally be interested in creating the most.

The Band Wagon (1953) has magnificent color schemes while Winter Light (1963) has phenomenal acting and pacing.

I don't remember everything from The Band Wagon, but this reminds me of Fantasia (1940) I have no idea if this was supposed to be animated, not gonna lie I doubt it but I could imagine it like that. The two-tone colors are incredible, it could give a more abstract meaning on what's behind the situation or thought just like with Gene Kelly's fantasies with films like An American In Paris, and Anchor's Aweigh.

I wouldn't change everything with my Christmas posts from last year. I felt like some of the concepts would work perfectly.

Dredd The Moose at the start would come along and sing White Christmas to homeless men. 

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2024/12/artmania-christmas-special-other.html?m=1

Movie Lobby Cards

 

I love lobby cards from old theatrical films. My first experience from them were from actual Looney Tunes lobby cards.

These are extremely appealing and worth checking out. I grabbed these from MovieStillsDB.com. They literally have every movie worth exploring the cool pictures. 

Here's a ton of lobby cards from movies I watched that I definitely enjoyed!

When I first heard about It's Always Fair Weather (1955) it was that one scene with Gene roller skating. That scene honestly makes me cry happy tears because of how sweet and normal society really was back then. Those people smiling at Gene's talents was just beautiful. But when I saw Baby You Knock Me Out, it was one of the most powerful dance numbers I ever saw. 

This movie is a masterpiece. I would highly recommend it!

Gene is outstanding in every single movie he's in whether it would be a musical or something different. Look at his joyful expression. Love it!

Here's another movie he's in. I pretty sure everyone knows this gem.

You can't say no to Singin' In The Rain. It's iconic because it's funny, really well-written and also tear-jerking but in a good way. 

Another great dancer is Fred Astaire, the colors in this card are unique to me. Easter Parade is also a one of a kind classic. 

I suspect this is what Hellzapoppin' would've looked like if it was in Technicolor since the previous cards I showed you had accurate color styling.

I keep on coming back to this movie, it's simple and the introduction is one of the best. Should I watch more of Olsen and Johnson's comedies? Maybe. I also think Mischa Auer is an underrated and overlooked actor. He was in East Side of Heaven (1939) a movie I also remembered watching, he was funny in that film.

Now onto Crosby's films. I remember watching Anything Goes (1936) after I finished my first day of 12th grade. Good times, pretty solid movie entirely. The card is gorgeous. 

I also wanted to watch White Christmas so badly and thankfully I bought a DVD at the flea market, it was a great film. All of the songs were outstanding. I also felt secretly inspired by this movie. 

I don't know why but the way Danny dances in some of the music sequences, keep getting in my mind after watching this film for the first time. They hired the right actors for this film and to be honest, is the true christmas movie for it's time. 

I found the story especially the introduction and final act to be impeccable and mature to watch. So much emotion yet entertaining all on it's own. It's not trying to get right into high spirit until it really wants to. 

I was originally going to only post live action movies, but ey Old Disney is just awesome. You all know my love for both these films. The advertising for Ichabod and Mr. Toad was insane back then. You can notice the quote on the top left.

"BING and WALT wake up Sleepy Hollow with a BANG!" 

I think it's funny and an amusing way to promote your movie in my opinion. 

This is one of my favorite of the Three Caballeros lobby cards. This is adorable.

I started to like Crosby's work back in April of 2023, but my first movie I ever experienced from him was a somewhat public domain movie Road to Bali (1952). Just looking at the lobby cards from that movie already gives me nostalgia. It's a hilarious movie. It sucks I haven't watched all 7 of their movies. I only seen Bali, and Rio that's it. I had a huge influence on these movies because the humor and scenarios were easy to appreciate.

I recently re-watched Road To Rio and it feels so weird that it's in B&W considering how gorgeous Road to Bali looked in Technicolor but I still enjoyed alot of the comedy.

I knew little about Lassie, besides actually having an illustrated book of the character. I didn't realize they made feature films of her. I actually really liked the 1943 movie. It was wholesome.

The last lobby card for now. An American In Paris is a movie I'm planning to watch this week as of writing this. It looks like a movie I'll definitely enjoy!

Funny Face (1957) Opening

 

I recently watched Funny Face (1957) and it was such a glorious and beautiful film. I would recommend you watching it. This movie was made by Paramount and it felt like an MGM musical. I admired all the songs and the aesthetic was memorable.

This movie was truly 50s. Everything about it feels like that decade alone.

I find the opening really unique and interesting so here's some screencaps.

Recognize these names? 

This feels abstract but in an appropriate way. It feels like the opening to films like One Hundred and One Dalmatians and how they used surrealistic patterns and textures throughout it. 

This movie especially the first and second acts uses alot of photography and effects. I never experienced something like this before. They even showed a scene of Astaire in a dark room similar to the ones we painfully experienced in school when I was in 10th grade. Thanks movie.

This is pretty cute. I like their hats and the camera angle choice.

This is stellar. Probably my favorite one.

I like this bit. The magnifying glass is quite satisfying here.

Gotta love Technicolor.

What's extremely minimalistic...

Turns into something simply exquisite fast. 

I love this type of stuff. It's old cinematic magic at it's finest.

The rest of the movie is filled with emotion, experience and great characters. I was fully invested in what was going on in this film. My favorite moment was in the He Loves and She Loves sequence when both Hepburn and Astaire slowly walk in a garden. Its about half a minute long and it feels like a dream. I also loved the Bonjour Paris song.

Cinema Admiration - Dancing And Old Musicals + 2D Animation

 

There's alot of reasons as to why I admire dance scenes in old and especially newer movies, they fit into that spirited, enjoyment style.

I love seeing anyone dance, I love it's graceful movements and adds a layer of action. 

Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Vera Ellen, Ann Miller, and much much more appreciated actors and actresses are big influences of mine, not because I want to dance just like them, I suck at dancing, but I love their artistic ability to just move in energetic and original fun ways, this scene from Three Little Words (1950) looks gorgeous. That's another thing, I don't mind B&W musicals, but technicolor is even better and full of more personality. 

Whenever I watch any group of characters dance, I really glance through the timing and motion, the instrumentals in these also make the scenes alot more fun.

Just like animation, I can state what principles are used in these dance scenes, these people have lively energy in their soul, and so does most iconic cartoon characters.

It tends to have alot of timing and motion, making it easy to focus.

As well as exaggeration, which is my favorite of the principles. 

I look into random clips myself by going onto Youtube playlists even though I didn't watch the feature film it was taken place. For example, I adored Ann Miller's Too Darn Hot segment. It would've been impossible for me to react to something like this if it weren't for good ol' YouTube. It's a great place to watch some classic clips for less than 5 minutes.

In this scene, Ann Miller strikes the screen with her pink glamorous outfit and swings her fan from time to time. It's such a beautiful scene in particular and if your wondering which movie it is, it's Kiss Me Kate (1953).

I would like to acknowledge about my other top favorite artistry and that's traditional 2D animation, do you ever see animated characters dance like real people do? Not a ton, but some can.

In most cases, it's what I'm striving for.

I love the appeal of animation like this. 

The truth is I heard that Disney is bringing back 2D animation. 

https://wdwnt.com/2025/06/walt-disney-animation-studios-cco-teases-possible-2d-comeback/

This is great news honestly, and it might be a comeback rise to Disney as a whole. While I do like the 3D animated films, they honestly have had countless sequels, and more complexity to them, now like I was saying, not bad at all in the slightest, but I'm definitely impressed that people are still caring about that good vibe and nostalgia in older Disney films, like I do. This also reminds me of other modern films this decade like Looney Tunes The Day The Earth Blew Up which was a masterpiece.

Anyways I'm back talking about dancing!

In rare scenarios, there has got to be a scene, that looks impossible to do, but is so gratifying, it's honestly alot of hard-work and professionalism to pull it off, this is from one of the films I watched recently Hellzapoppin' (1941). This is by far the most iconic part of the film, and I can definitely see why.

You don't get this much exaggeration and wild energy anymore, this stuff really interests me immediately, it's distracting yet, the second or few times I watch parts like this again, it's so smooth and pleasing.

Finally to end it off, here's a perfect example of studying the basics of good dancing. This is from the movie, Me And My Gal (1942) starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, 2 incredible and truly legendary people. 

1 - Walk

This type of walk I could say has been done in almost every musical stage performance, it's genuinely flawless, and quite a cycle.

2 - Tone

The scene now focuses more on both Judy and Gene, that's only because it's matter of the staging principle. 

3 - Flow and Posing

Now Judy and Gene take off their hats, this gives the entire performance more personality.

And there you have it. Here's the full video for a better view and experience.