Rating: 
Summary: This movie sucks
Review: I've seen part of this movie before, and it sucks. That one guy who walks around singing all the time is a pathetic douchebag who needs to get a life. This movie is a bad example for people with lives, because it teaches you how to take your stupidity to a higher level. I don't need to see the whole movie to know how stupid it is. I'd rather watch punch drunk love than this piece of garbage. Save your money by not buying this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A family musical even a curmudgeon can love
Review: OK, I have to be honest here: I don't like "family entertainment." If I go to Blockbuster, I usually avoid the Family section entirely for something a bit edgier or darker. And although I love Fred Astaire and most Gene Kelly, I am not at all a fan of Hollywood musicals from the fifties and early sixties, when they were becoming more "epic" as the movies tried to provide something that television could not. Nonetheless, I find THE MUSIC MAN to be one of the most thoroughly enjoyable pieces of light entertainment ever. Primarily there are two reasons for this. First, there is the great score, the most famous tune notwithstanding (maybe I have heard it too often, but "Seventy-Six Trombones" really leaves me cold). But nearly every other song is utterly delightful, especially the magnificent "Till There Was You." Am I a dork if I confess that I love the barbershop quartet numbers (I was second tenor in a high school quartet)? But as fine as the score is, take away Robert Preston and you have at best an average, forgettable film. Preston today is remembered almost exclusively for his role as Professor Harold Hill, which is a reflection not so much on his prior career as on the extraordinary job he did in performing this role. There is a similar parallel with Rex Harrison, who despite a long career on stage and screen, is primarily remembered for MY FAIR LADY. Interestingly, in both MY FAIR LADY and THE MUSIC MAN, other actors were considered for the lead role, although both Preston and Harrison created the roles for Broadway. Interestingly, Cary Grant was considered for both films (though Grant very famously responded that he wouldn't star in the film and if Preston weren't cast in the lead, he wouldn't even go see it), though Warners first choice was Frank Sinatra. Luckily, things worked out, and Robert Preston "owns" the role of Professor Harold Hill like few actors own a role. The film is also helped by a rich supporting cast. Shirley Jones was her usual excellent self in the film (though it is well known that she was pregnant during the shooting), and the film provided the late Buddy Hackett with one of his finest screen roles. Paul Ford, best known as the colonel on the Phil Silvers Show, turns in a nice screen performance as the Mayor. Hermione Gingold, who spent most of her career on stage and had as a result a surprisingly small screen career, excels as the mayor's wife and the leading light for culture in the town. But mainly, this is a great, great vehicle for a great leading man who has utterly nailed a great role. If Frank Sinatra or Cary Grant had been enticed to play the lead, perhaps we would still be watching this film today, but for some reason I am sceptical. But I am certain that this is one family film that all but the hardest of hearts will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Escapism
Review: The Music Man is one of the most funny and entertaining comedies I have ever seen. It is the story of con man "Professor" Harold Hill, who sells band instruments with the promise that he will teach the kids to play them. After having pulled his scam all over Illinois he decides to give Iowa a try. He goes to the small town of River City, where nothing ever happens and where he fairly easily ingratiates himself with the rather bored and gullible residents. To pull off his scam successfully however he needs to cosy up to the local music teacher, Marian Paroo (she is something of an outcast among the other women in the town), who strongly dislikes him. He finally gets Marian on his side by bringing out the best in everyone especially her younger brother who is mourning the loss of their father. Harold becomes the fun distraction from their normally unexciting small town lives. Of course, this is a musical and the musical numbers are wonderful, especially Seventy Six Trombones, Marian the Librarian, Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You?, Goodnight My Someone, and Wells Fargo Wagon. The acting, dancing and singing in this movie are all flawless. The Music Man really is fun for the whole family.
Rating:
Summary: Seventy-Six Trombones...
Review: This is a beautiful film! It's hilarious, can be enjoyed by a variety of ages, has a delightful story-line, and the music is kick-uh... butt! ^_^;;; Robert Preston is one of the best actors you'll see on DVD and this is him at his finest. Enjoy a classic that can be watched over and over without ever growing bored.
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Summary: What Makes This Musical the Best in the History of Broadway
Review: IMHO this musical is the best ever. Singing in the Rain was fine for a gymnast and a lip sinked Hollywood sound stage based on acrobatics but Music Man has a story, the best lyrics ever, music to uplift a nation and the funniest comedy ever. West Side Story is totally over rated too. Music Man staring Shirly Jones who is clearly the finest talent that ever gave her life to the art she performs deserves the Congressional Medal of Honor and every other award there is. A damn site more deserving that that Yankee Doodle Dandy getting it from FDR.
Rating:
Summary: Library Dance Number is Spectacular
Review: Saw this movie again for the first time in a long time and just loved it. I won't repeat what everyone else has said about Robert Preston, but will give a shout-out to the choreography, esp. in the Library scene. Watching the lines of male dancers trade off as Marian dances with each in turn is a miracle of choreography. I don't know how they conceived it, much less pulled it off. Great stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Susan Luckey, Susan Luckey, Susan Luckey
Review: i was dating the wonderfull Miss Luckey when this film was made. Damn, i should have married that girl. so it is for personal reasons that i continue to watch and rewatch this film (and Oklahoma). But i had not seen the dvd until recently and it is greater than ever. i loved the "making of the movie" clip. This film is just fun all the way through. no low huggers, no cleavage, no four letter words. God how would it be received now?
oh, well, we always will have the dvd.
Rating:
Summary: A Favorite Musical with the Definitive Cast
Review: This is an extremely popular musical for many reasons and has probably been done in more community theaters than any other because it is just so much fun to perform and watch. There are some great roles here besides the star role of Professor Harold Hill. But Robert Preston owns this role. And if we are honest with ourselves we really don't want to see or hear anyone but Shirley Jones sing "Till There Was You" or Buddy Hackett sing and dance "Shipoopi" or Hermione Gingold and Harold Ford as the Shinns. Who can forget "One Grecian Urn. Two Grecian Urns ..." And of course Ron Howard with a lisp as Winthrop Paroo. And of course there are so many more. The dialogue is just a hoot. The costumes are wonderfully outrageous, especially all those hats. The dancing is great. And the amazingly talented Robert Preston will always be remembered for this role. Everyone else comes across as imitating him or doing something strange because we all know Prof. Hill so well we don't want him any other way. The disk has a really nice 30 minute documentary on the making of the musical with some of the original cast members offering memories of the shoot. My kids loved this musical and want to watch it again every once in awhile.
Rating:
Summary: It has everything a Musical should have
Review: I Absolutely Love this movie. While Prof. Hill entrances the town he also entrances his audience. The story is light but fast paced and trully a pleasure to follow. I'm not going to ruin the movie for you by telling you every detail, rather I do think if you like classic musicals and/or good fun movies, this is a must have. The DVD is also chalked full of little extras. I found the special about the making of the film to be quite enjoyable. I'm always a sucker for the actors bio's and this one is chalked full of em. I could say alot more I'm sure but I'd rather you checked this one out for yourself. This is such a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent production of a classic musical
Review: My high school recently did this musical this past year, but I had been a fan of it before. I was infected by my mother, who would play different musical tapes in the car as I was growing up, The Music Man included. After I saw the movie for the first time, I was hooked. For a screen adaptation, there really is very little change from the stage show. Marcellus is given a job, Harold's longish first scene in River City is split into multiple scenes, Shipoopi is given a full Ice Cream Sociable production...all changes and adjustments that make the transition from stage to screen easier and better. They all add to the show as a movie. And don't even think about watching Disney's new horrendously drab version. Nothing can be said about this movie if you don't say something about Robert Preston. As has been said, this is the role he was born for. His performance is perfection itself and there's no wonder as to why the citizens of River City fall for him. I know I would have! He's the ultimate con artist who, yet, manages to be entirely wholesome at the same time. You never once want him to get caught and, really, get what he deserves. (After all, he /does/ scam tons of people out of money.) And, in a rare moment for a musical of this era of classic musicals, we get a glimpse at the insecure, dreaming man behind his charismatic, self-assured mask. (Preston's perfection in this role only hurts Matthew Broderick's totally boring performance in the new version.) Shirley Jones is a competant, if unremarkable Marian. (The one shining star in Disney's version was Kristin Chenoweth's amazingly emotional and real performance as Marian.) The rest of the cast give wonderful, strong performances. It's especially wonderful seeing a young Ron Howard as an endearingly tone-deaf Winthrop. This is a show that, besides the two leads, really, is a show of caricatures. So many of the supporting roles are wonderful character roles and they are all filled wonderfully, from the entire Shinn family to Marcellus to the Barbershop Quartet (the last filled memorably by the Buffalo Bills themselves). As a movie, the film is bright, quick, and comfortable. It's a fun, all-American romp with a comfortingly ambiguous ending, (Obvious Harold and Marian will marry, but what will Harold /do/? My mom insists that he learns to be a real musician and conductor and lead the band, but we just don't know.) and catchy, singable music loaded with wonderful brass sounds.
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