Meredith Willson's The Music Man (TV Film)

Starring:Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Molly Shannon, David Aaron Baker, Cameron Monaghan, Clyde Alves, Cameron Adams, Linda Kash, Patrick McKenna, Megan Moniz, Richard Fitzpatrick, Jenni Burke, Marty Beecroft, Harrison L. Wayne, Jeff Dimitriou, Derwin Jordan, Jesse Weafer, Jeff Pustil
Director: Jeff Bleckner
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

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Meredith Willson's musical masterpiece is such an American classic, it deserves to be known by each new generation--and this sprightly TV-movie version spiffs it up nicely for the young folk. It's a testament to Willson's achievement that this 2003 production can survive a casting flub: the usually engaging Matthew Broderick's low-key charm is an exact mismatch for the brassy energy of traveling salesman Professor Harold Hill. When Broderick sings the words "thundering, thundering!" from "Seventy-Six Trombones," he sounds as though he's murmuring, murmuring. But he wears well (especially in a nifty "Marian the Librarian"), and he has lyrical support from Kristin Chenoweth's crystal-clear singing. Director Jeff Bleckner has a maddening tendency to cut away from the crucial moment of a scene, but the atmosphere of small-town Iowa is ably created. Adding zip is Molly Shannon, hilarious as chief busybody Mrs. Shinn. In short, the "Think System" still works. --Robert Horton

Description

From the executive producers of the Academy Award(R)-winning musical CHICAGO (Best Picture, 2002) comes a fresh interpretation of an all-time classic. Featuring some of the most beloved songs in history, THE MUSIC MAN "is impossible to resist" raves TV Guide. Con man "Professor" Harold Hill (Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick, 1995 Best Actor, Musical) arrives in River City, Iowa, promising that he can teach the small town's children how to play in a magnificent marching band. It's all part of a big swindle, but falling in love with the town librarian (Kristin Chenoweth) wasn't part of the deal. Also starring Victor Garber and Molly Shannon, THE MUSIC MAN is an irresistible production the whole family will enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

Stick with Robert Preston.......2007-07-03

Ugh. Low energy, unflattering tight shots which provide details of Ms. Chenowith's face which I'm comfortable not knowing about, including a huge bubble of saliva at the end of My White Night. The choreography is pedestrian ("walk-ography") and there is no momentum. The original movie with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones is definitive; I would advise sticking to it. This version only points up the magnificence of Robert Preston in the original.

The Music Man (TV Film).......2007-06-08

I was shocked. This production is absolutely adorable. I am a big fan of the original and this cast does itself proud. Matthew Broderick is lively and believable. Kristin Chenoweth is beyond wonderful. A definite must-have addition to any family DVD collection.

An awsome family movie!.......2007-04-13

I love this movie. Matthew Brodderick dose great in his roll as Professor Harold Hill, and Kristin Chenoweth lets her beautiful voice ring in "'Till There Was You". My absolute favorite though is Victor Garber as the hilariously tongue tied Mayor Shinn. With just a few differences in story line from the original, it is a great movie for the entire family, and all those out there that love music

Skip it...!.......2007-04-01

Meredith Wilson was a genius...his book and score of The Music Man are incomparable. This boring, badly acted remake does the almost impossible...it makes The Music Man look bad.

For sheer joy, and an outstanding, joyful version of The Music Man, see Robert Preston and Shirley Jones in the 1962 film version.

Skip this one...by all means.

The Music Man is the man!.......2007-03-26

Going into this film, I had a lot of expectations. I love musicals and I had heard so much about this one. While it will not break my top three favorite musicals being "Rent", "West Side Story", and "Pippin". It will at least be in my top ten favorite favorite musicals, if not my top five. And not that anyway cares but that kind of a tag, I don't put on every musical I have seen. Now, I should be clear and tell you folks I have not seen the 1962 version of Music Man and I don't think I will because I don't like to compare between two interperations of work. The staging of this musical was very well done espically for a TV Musical. Matthew Broderick as Harold Hill is the real heart of this piece. While Kristin Chenoweth's Marian is the soul. I had heard through some people that this is along with "Oklahoma", "Singing in The Rain", and "West Side Story" is the groundwork for the american musical and they would be correct. You have your love songs, your assemble rousing song, and your comedic silly song. If your classist and real stickler about musicals and Matthew Broderick's ability to remake musicals (i.e. The Producers which I haven't seen yet.) Don't buy this DVD. If you have not seen any version of The Music Man and want to compare please do that at your own risk, because most times what'll happen is you'll either hate one version and love the other one or despise both of them (which I haven't seen or heard people say in any musical films yet.) If you're looking for a good musical comedy please buy this DVD and if you're wanting to expose your kids to the wonderful genre of musicals, this one of the better ones to start with. In closing, the strongest non singing role in this film will probably go to Victor Garber who plays Mayor Shinn. You will see why...

Ultimate Musical Movies Box Set (Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2003) / Cinderella (1997) / Annie (1999))

Average customer rating:

Three Winning Musical Adaptations

Ultimate Musical Movies Box Set (Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2003) / Cinderella (1997) / Annie (1999))
Starring: Alicia Morton , Kathy Bates , Alan Cumming , Audra McDonald , and Kristin Chenoweth
Director: Rob Marshall , Robert Iscove , and Jeff Bleckner
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000BWVNK
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Description

From executive producers of the Academy Award(R)-winning musical CHICAGO (Best Picture, 2002) comes a fresh interpretation of an all-time classic. Featuring some of the most beloved songs in history, THE MUSIC MAN "is impossible to resist" raves TV Guide. Con man "Professor" Harold Hill (Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick, 1995 Best Actor, Musical) arrives in River City, Iowa, promising he can teach the small town's children how to play in a magnificent marching band. It's all part of a big swindle, but falling in love with the town librarian (Kristin Chenoweth) wasn't part of the deal. Also starring Victor Garber and Molly Shannon, THE MUSIC MAN is an irresistible production the whole family will enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

Three Winning Musical Adaptations.......2004-01-16

I've always loved musicals. They may be corny, and the idea of a bunch of people breaking out into the same song at the drop of a hat is unrealistic, but they are so much fun. And done right, there's very little that entertains in the same way.

These three made for TV musicals were done right. Wonderful casts, gorgeous costumes and sets, and great choreography. Everything a musical lover could possibly want.

"Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" is the oldest, having premiered in 1997. It tells the familiar story of the poor girl who goes to the ball and wins the heart of the prince thanks to her Fairy Godmother. It stars Brandy, Whitney Houston, Bernadette Peters, Jason Alexander, and Paolo Montalban. It looks incredible, like a story book come to life. And it's lots of fun. This is the only version of the musical I've seen, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I really enjoyed it.

1999 brought the premier of a new version of "Annie" staring Alicia Morton, Kathy Bates, Victor Garber, and Audra McDonald. This one stuck much closer to the original stage version, so I much prefer it over the original movie. The rags to riches story of Annie is sheer fun with songs I love to sing along with. I can get a goofy grin on my face as soon as I start watching that doesn't go away until after the movie is over. And anyone worried about Kathy Bates, don't. She is perfect as Miss Hannigan.

Rounding out the set is "The Music Man" from spring of 2003. This new adaptation stars Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth. Again, this was the first version of the musical I saw, and I loved it. It brings small town life of 90 years ago to life in a wonderful way while telling the story of a con man who gets and gives more then he bargained for in River City, Iowa.

The DVD's are basically movie only versions. Presented in their original full frame ratio, they look and sound great. "The Music Man" does have a very brief behind the scenes documentary and a special performance of Kristin Chenoweth singing "Till there was You."

These movies are also available individually. Either way, they are certainly worth getting.

Any fan of musicals will love these new adaptations of some of the classics of the genre. New fans will be born with these movies as well. In two cases, it's certainly worked on me.

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