Rating: 
Summary: 76 trumbones
Review: awsome musical. the kind that you want to watch with your family on sunday night with mom and pop and little betty sue, and aunt may. anyway enchanting story about how a small town changed a sheister. the special features aint bad either with a making of retrospective and your normal theatrical trailers. little ron howard looked so cute. rent this or buy it and watch it with someone you care about.
Rating: 
Summary: A classic
Review: My daughter likes musicals (at 18 months!) so I bought this for her with fond memories of the musicals my Mom took me to while growing up. My only complaint with this video is the LONG walk down memory lane before the show itself begins. It would be better if that stuff were at the end, so we wouldn't have to wade through it to get to what we want to see.
Rating:
Summary: Libertine Men and Scarlet Women
Review: Before watching "The Music Man" on DVD I knew next to nothing about the show's writer/director Meredith Willson. Thanks to the Shirley Jones-hosted documentary included on disc, I now know he hailed from small-town Iowa. I appreciate all the more those exquisite little details in the film that turn River City from stock caricature set into living, breathing character.Any movie musical is bound to split into two separate films: the exquisite musical numbers, with their witty rhymes, elaborately choreographed dance sequences, and impact on the plot; and then the perfunctory, stilted dialogue bits that bridge those numbers (if you want to see this theory in action, rent "West Side Story"). Thanks to Willson, "The Music Man", however, is perfect in that its linking "book" portions are just as successful as the musical numbers. And we're talking some pretty heavy musical numbers too. Nearly every song in the film is worth memorizing -- if you can manage to catch all the words! I thought I had them commited to memory years ago, but then I watched the DVD release with the English subtitles on, and realized I'd been missing entire lines -- good lines, too. The DVD presentation is sound. The audio quality suffers, most notably during the dialogue-only portions. As I said, the presenttion is "sound". The extras are minimal, as to be expected from the perfunctory Warner Brothers back catalogue, but the 30-minute documentary bears viewing and sheds new light on the film. I'm not sure that a separate commentary track would work here, but I don't have to worry because, as usual, WB doesn't provide one. It can be viewed all at once, or you can skip straight to select chapters and watch the film as a series of music videos, as I did on the first night. But whatever you do -- don't damage the flimsy cardboard packaging! :)
Rating:
Summary: "Well, ya got trouble, my friends--"
Review: It's early in the Twentieth Century, and there's trouble, my friends, in River City. Iowa, that is, in this delightful adaptation of Meredith Wilson's long running Broadway musical, "The Music Man," directed by Morton DaCosta and starring Robert Preston as the fast-talking, fleet-footed traveling salesman, Harold Hill. "Professor Harold Hill," as he calls himself this time around, is in the business of selling band instruments and uniforms, all with the guarantee that he will teach the youngsters of the parents who fork over the cash for his wares how to play. There's only one problem, and it's the fact that -- as one of his fellow competitors puts it-- "He don't know one note from another!" Alas, can it be the con is on? When he jumps train in River City to escape the wrath of an angry gathering of his peers, whom he has "Given a black eye" to in the territory, thanks to his dubious business practices, he sets about plying his trade on the good folks of middle America. But right out of the chute, he runs into some problems: The Mayor of River City, George Shinn (Paul Ford) wants his credentials, the lovely young local piano teacher and librarian, Marion (Shirley Jones), has her doubts about him, and he lacks an "angle," something to convince the local citizenry of the need for a "boys band" to get them out of the trouble they're in-- even if there isn't any until he "creates" it. One of his problems is solved when he runs into Marcellus Washburn (Buddy Hackett), a former shill of his, who mentions the new billiard table that just arrived in town. And that's all the Professor needs; because now they've got trouble, "With a capital 'T' that rhymes with 'P' and that stands for 'Pool'!" With that, he's up and running and he's got everything timed, right down to the "Last wave of the conductor's hand on the last train out of town." Yee-gods and great honk! River City, Iowa, is about to have their very own boy's band. Robert Preston gives the most memorable performance of his career as Hill, the silver-tongued salesman who can palaver past postulated proffered predicaments quicker'n an eggheaded egret's emblematized egression. It's just a matter of charm, style and timing, and Preston imbues Hill with 'em all, and more. He brings a mesmerizing presence to the screen in this role that is absolutely perfect; Preston IS Harold Hill, and he makes him his own in such a way that it's impossible to visualize anyone else in the role. It certainly gave Preston a chance to demonstrate his amazing versatility, and he really made the most of it, carving out a niche for himself in cinematic history. The beautiful and talented Shirley Jones is terrific, as well, as "Marion the Librarian," the young woman with a heart of gold who becomes a formidable opponent for Hill as he tries to charm his way past her suspicions of him. Jones personifies everything that is pure, moral and good, without being prudish, and it makes Marion a truly endearing character. And, like Preston, her performance is so good it's impossible to picture anyone else in the part. She's simply magnificent. The made-to-order supporting cast includes a very young Ron Howard, unforgettable as Winthrop Paroo, Marion's little brother, Hermione Gingold (Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn), Pert Kelton (Mrs. Paroo), Monique Vermont (Amaryllis), Susan Luckey (Zaneeta), Timmy Everett (Tommy Djilas), Harry Hickox (Charlie) and Mary Wickes (Mrs. Squires). Featuring a number of memorable songs, including "76 Trombones," "Till There Was You," "Gary, Indiana" and of course the catchy "Trouble In River City" number, "The Music Man" is an uplifting, totally transporting film that makes the world seem like a pretty good place after all. This is the "Good Old Days" the way we'd like to think they really were, and it's all courtesy of the magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: Broadway meets Hollywood!
Review: Robert Preston recreates his Tony-winning, Broadway-stage incarnation of Harold Hill for the screen in the celebrated film version of Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN! This newly-restored print is marvellous, with the soundtrack mixed for the first time in Dolby Stereo, and newly-restored elements. Featuring Shirley Jones (CAROUSEL, OKLAHOMA!) as the prim librarian Marian Paroo, Ronny Howard (THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER, TV's HAPPY DAYS) as lisping little brother Winthrop, and the legendary Hermione Gingold (GIGI) as the regal Eulelie Shinn. The brassy score is ripe with show-stoppers like "Ya Got Troubles", "Seventy-Six Trombones", "Till There Was You", "Pick-A-Little, Talk-A-Little", "Marian The Librarian" and "Wells Fargo Wagon". Yes, THE MUSIC MAN is still sensational musical entertainmemt.
Rating:
Summary: A Magical Movie, and Great Extras!
Review: I confess, I am a Music Man freak. I sing allong to the soundtrack at least once a week, and I still can't get enough of it. What makes me love the musical so much is that the music and the settings make me feel like I really am in "IOWAY". I see Professor Harold Hills all over the place in real life, and this play shows you that they can be human beings and have anima (soul). Robert Preston was born to do this role. It is a true shame that after the fame he achieved on the stage and in this film of The Music Man, he did not recieve as much fame in his later movies. It's hard to believe that he was a common secondary actor in westerns and had never used his singing capabilities before The Music Man. I know of many well- educated Marian Librarians who need Professors like Harold to show them that they are special and better than any other kind of company. When Sirley Jones sings "And if ocassionaly he'd ponder, what makes Shakespeare and Beetoven great, him I could love till I died." My liberal arts mind melts into putty. The movie never looses the touch that the original cast had to the play. The reason is because the director, Da Costa, was the director of the play on Broadway as well as the film. The scenes and lighting move allong in the film as they would on a stage. Most of the scenes, for example, are concluded by a shillouette light on a main character that fades. The choreography of the dance scenes are spectacular, and very well constructed, like you would expect them to be on a stage. The DVD comes with a lot of great extra material. Shirley Jones is the narrator of two doccumentaries. Much behind the scenes infromation is unvieled in these doccumentaries. A feature that I use a lot is the English subtitles, which are placed in the black part of the screen so you can easilly sing allong to the wide array of songs. There are the usual talent files, original trailers, and more. For any fan of musicals, the doccumentaries are a treat all by themselves. I have not focused a lot on the story of the movie, because I suspect you have already seen this classic film or have heard of the play. If you have not seen or heard of the play, I won't tell you the story anyway, you have to see it for yourself. Believe me, it's worth it. Before you know it, you will be singing "76 trombones" to your hearts delight.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Preston's best role...
Review: Quite possibly Robert Preston's portryal of Professor Harold Hill is the best performance by any actor in any musicical ever. I can't imagine anyone else in the role. He'd be a tough act to follow. Shirley Jones, who introduces this DVD, also is perfect as Marian-the-librarian. Being an Iowan by birth and a Hawkeye by the grace of God, I especially appreciated the humor in the songs, staging and screenplay. People who love "live" theatre will appreciate the film's many segments that have the look of a stage production. The story/production is fast-paced and will appeal to even younger viewers. The film has been used successfully in upper elementary music appreciation curricula. Ron Howard and Paul Ford both deserve special mention. Both virtually "steal" every scene they're in. Fantastic, Meredith Wilson's "Music Man" belongs in all DVD collections, alongside the shows by Rogers and Hart, Rogers and Hammerstein...
Rating:
Summary: Robert Preston recreates his memorable Broadway role
Review: Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston) arrives in River City with a plan to make some money from the gullible citizens. He tells them he is organising a River City Boys Band with the intention of leaving town with their money before the instruments arrive. He hasn't allowed for the fact that he will meet beautiful librarian Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones) and fall for her charms. Marian is at first very suspicious of Hill and then begins to realise he is doing a lot of good things for River City. Hill changes his plan, decides to stay and against all the odds manages to form the boy's band. A high class supporting cast includes Buddy Hackett, Paul Ford (who played the wonderful Colonel Hall in the "Sergeant Bilko" TV series), Hermoine Gingold, a very young Ron Howard (only eight years old at the time), Harry Hickox, Percy Helton, Max Showalter and Pert Kelton. The film contained so many outstanding characters expertly portrayed it is difficult to know where to start. Robert Preston of course was ideally cast as Harold Hill - it was the best role of his career and the one he is most fondly remembered for. He worked really hard, put his songs over with style and verve, was full of energy, and seemed to be enjoying himself enormously. The delightful Shirley Jones gave another captivating performance as Marian the librarian and sang several engaging songs throughout the film. Paul Ford was brilliant as Mayor Shinn and had many comic moments trying to have Hill run out of town or sent to jail. Buddy Hackett as Hill's friend Marcellus gets involved with the phoney plan to form the band and does his best to keep Hill out of trouble. Ron Howard impresses with his featured number "Gary, Indiana" (which for the sake of the plot he had to sing with a lisp!). Two of my favourite character actors (Percy Helton and Max Showalter) were in the film but only appeared briefly in the opening number which was a shame as I would have preferred to see them do more. (Max Showalter was previously known as Casey Adams and had appeared with Marilyn Monroe in "Niagara" and "Bus Stop" plus many other films). The "Buffalo Bills" barbershop quartet close harmony team sing some nostalgic numbers which are very enjoyable and helped to establish the period atmosphere of the film. Director Morton Da Costa introduced the gimmick of having the screen go dark after several of the musical numbers which I thought was a clever innovation. Some favourite lines from the film: Robert Preston (to Buddy Hackett): "Must create a desperate need in your town for a boy's band". Shirley Jones (to Paul Ford): "Honestly, a bunch of grown men. Along comes this fly by night salesman and you're all taken in!". Paul Ford: "I want that man's credentials". Jones (to Preston): "The one thing one must remember no matter who one is or what one is working for one can do anything if one puts one's mind to it!". Preston (to Jones and Ron Howard): "Well, for the first time in my life - I got my foot caught in the door". Songs include "You've Got Trouble Right Here in River City", "The Sadder but Wiser Girl for Me", "Till There Was You", "Goodnight my Someone", "Wells Fargo Wagon", "Marian the Librarian" and of course the big show stopper "Seventy Six Trombones". "The Music Man" was definitely one of the best musicals of the sixties and can be seen over and over again with increasing pleasure. If you like musicals then go ahead and buy this one right now - you won't be sorry! Clive Roberts.
Rating:
Summary: ....Seventy Six Trombones lead the Big Parade......
Review: Morton DaCosta's show stopping, toe tapping adaption of Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" is pure cinematic pleasure. The DVD release of this boisterous, beautifully made film in stunning Technicolor along with the added bonus of the introduction by Shirley Jones, plus the 30 minute "Right here in River City" documentary is a true delight to any fan of this most loved of films. To be honest...I was never a huge fan of musicals...but "The Music Man" is the one that got me...it is just so enjoyable !! This was the role that Robert Preston was born to play...the smooth talking, quick thinking shyster Professor Harold Hill...only one step ahead of duped towns folk and the long arm of the law. Hill decides to try his luck selling boy's band costumes and instruments in River City, Iowa to the unsuspecting citizens and Hill spends his time charming his way from one situation to the next. From the opening piece with the travelling salesman singing in tune with the hissing and puffing steam train...the charming numbers flow from this wonderful cast...including the memorable "Marian the Librarian", "Iowa Stubborn", "Ya got trouble", Goodnight my Someone"...and of course the signature tune "76 Trombones". Aiding the very talented Preston and Jones are such fine character actors as Buddy Hackett as Hill's old partner, Marcellus Washburn...the wonderfully stern Hermione Gingold as the mayor's wife, Eulalie Shinn...and Paul Ford as the long suffering, Mayor Shinn himself. Plus one of today's finest director's, Ron Howard in one of his earliest acting roles as the pint sized, freckle faced Winthrop Paroo. This really is an outstanding motion picture and one that can be enjoyed by the entire family....an absolute must for your DVD collection !!
Rating: 
Summary: The Music Man
Review: I loved the movie, but hated the DVD, because it didn't work on my player! I tried 2 copies, neither one could be read. I have a Panasonic player, it reads my other 50 DVD's, but not this one. Be careful before you order this.
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