Broadway Puzzler #123 - THE BANDWAGON

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Broadway Puzzler #123 - THE BANDWAGON

Posted: 4/16/05 at 10:34pm

THE BANDWAGON is a 1953 film that uses the title of an earlier Broadway musical. This show business film centers on bringing a musical to Broadway (circa 1952).

Here's your question...In THE BANDWAGON, the musical is entitled THE BANDWAGON, and it is conceived as a modern telling of what classic story line?

Updated On: 4/17/05 at 10:34 PM

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/16/05 at 10:42pm

Faust

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/16/05 at 10:51pm

Excellent!

Why Faust? The follow-up to that also happens to be a clue.

The show within the film show, was wrtten by the Martins, a Broadway musical book, lyrics and composing team. What type of career did the Martins create for the leading character of THE BANDWAGON?

(Who's going to hear jbara tomorrow at SO3?)

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/16/05 at 11:27pm

a deeeeeeevvvvvvvious one :P

"grace, you're stuffed in a box getting rid of ass plaque. let's face it, this evening is a bust."

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/17/05 at 10:42am

Here's a hint...

The last musical number in THE BANDWAGON is "The Girl Hunt Ballet," and it is directedly related to the career of the male leading character of the show-within-the-show.

To restate the question, what is the profession of the male lead in the show-within-the-show?

Here's an one more question regarding THE BANDWAGON film.

Name 8 people who worked previously on Broadway before joining together to help create THE BANDWAGON film.

Updated On: 4/17/05 at 10:42 AM

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/17/05 at 5:32pm

Actually, there are at least <10> people with prior Broadway credits who help create THE BANDWAGON.

Can you name them?

I'l give you the first one: Fred Astaire.

Anyone else prepared to add to the list?

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:47pm

Has anyone on the Main Board seen THE BANDWAGON film?

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:49pm

Yes Jose. i just bought the new dvd wich has really funny ommentarry by Liza minnelli. Wonderful movie. I love it.

HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:50pm

Vincente Minnelli
Cyd Charisse
Julie Newmar had a small role, I believe.

#10

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 3:59pm

Here are a few more:

Screenwriters Betty Comden and Adolph Green, with an assist from Alan Jay Lerner.

Plus actors Nanette Fabray, Oscar Levant, Jack Buchanan and the uber-hot James Mitchell all had appeared on Broadway.

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#11

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 4:03pm

The main character in the show-within-a-show of "The Bandwagon" is a children's author who writes potboiler mysteries on the side (hence, the "Girl Hunt Ballet").

People who were involved in "The Bandwagon" included Schwartz and Dietz (music and lyrics), Betty Comden and Adolph Green (screenplay), Alan Jay Lerner (uncredited author of the narration of the "Girl Hunt Ballet), Michael Kidd (choreographer), Nannette Fabray (Lily Martin), Fred Astaire (Tony Hunter) and Jack Buchanan (Vincent Minelli-esque director). I'm not sure who of the rest of the people who worked on it actually had Broadway credits.

#12

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 4:05pm

I forgot James Mitchell played the choreographer!

#13

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 4:06pm

Did I miss the answer? Fred Astaire plays a struggling author who, to pay the bills, writes pulp detective novels-- a move which Nannette Fabray (A Broadway vet making her film debut) refers to as "Selling his soul" which inspires the heavy handed Faust reference.

#14

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 7:29pm

Whew!

I was beginning to believe there wasn't anyone left on the Main Board who cared about anything Broadway before the year 2000. My confidence has been restored.

As for THE BANDWAGON. Can't forget the superfantastic Oliver Smith--Broadway Scenic Designer & Producer. He designed all the musical numbers in THE BANDWAGON.

You are all terrific.

One question though: Cyd Charisse on Broadway prior to THE BANDWAGON? She didn't debut on Broadway until she played The Ballerina as a replacement in GRAND HOTEL in the late 80s/early 90s'.

The DVD transfer and special disc makes this an ever special film to have to get a flavor of the talent behind Broadway in The Golden Age.

#15

re: Broadway Puzzler #123

Posted: 4/18/05 at 7:52pm

Yeah, I wasn't sure if Cyd Charisse had been on Broadway prior to going to work for MGM, either. I think she had previously danced with the Ballet Russe.

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