Turner Classic Movies has abandoned its regular programming tonight to pay tribute to Cyd Charisse, who died on June 17. "Singing in the Rain" aired at 8:00; "The Band Wagon" is just beginning. One of my favorite movie dance numbers of all time (after Astaire's amazing "Bo Jangles of Harlem") is in this film and it features Charisse doing a bump-and-grind with Fred Astaire at "Dem Bones Cafe." I usually can't take my eyes off Astaire when he dances but in this clip, it's Charisse who devours the camera. Watch the way she moves her shoulders. And those legs!
-- sdh
Stacey,
The Bandwagon is my favorite musical of all time. Great dark smart moody Minnelli. Astaire is a genius; Cyd Charisse has long been too hot to be appreciated enough; Fabray and Levant are hilarious; and Jack Buchanon completely astounded me. I think I underwent subtle genetic alteration having seen the Triplets scene at perhaps too early an age; if I did, it was for the better. Long live Cyd! And all of us.
Posted by: jim cummins | June 29, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Marvelous score by Schwartz and Dietz, and yes, Cyd's legs do go on forever. Did you know she was married to the same man (singer Tony Martin)for sixty years -- from 1948 until her death? Lucky guy.
Posted by: DL | June 29, 2008 at 12:37 PM