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Reviews
Belle Le Grand (1951)
good costume piece
Well done picture with Vera Ralston playing title role. She goes to jail for murder allowing slimy husband to escape. On her release she finds little sister in orphanage and vows to get her out. She becomes famous gambling queen and finances sister's singing career,unknown to the sister. Nice period sets and costumes with good direction by Alan Dwan with fine supporting cast. Muriel Lawrence shines as young soprano out to conquer world. Pity she only made three films. A bigger career wasn't in her future. Vera is very good.
The Band Wagon (1953)
Cyd Charisse rules
Stunning musical about fading star Fred Astaire making stage comeback with the help of friends Oscar Levant and Nanette Fabares. Jack Buchanon is fun as hammy stage actor who teams up with the group. Cyd joins in as haughty ballerina. The songs are first rate. Fred's solos and the girl hunt ballet are good but I prefer the romantic Dancing in the Dark number. The other highlight is Fred cheering up the cast after the first night flops.This was the film that introduced That's Entertainment. It is given a joyous presentation as Jack Buchanon explains what the job of show business is all about.The color is stunning,costumes great,set design good.Surprisingly Cyd's big solo "Two-faced Woman" was cut. It was shown on TCM.