|
|
 |
The Music Man (Special Edition)
 |
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Find all by Warner Home Video
Directed By: Morton DaCosta, Scott Benson (II)
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Theatrical Release: December 31, 1969
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
|
Retail Price: $19.97
Online Sale Price: $8.99
Save $10.98 Today!
* Price is subject to change.
This item qualifies for
Free Super Saver Shipping! |
Starring: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford
Meredith Willson's Broadway play is brought to the screen in this musical featuring Preston as Professor Harold Hill, a con artist whose schemes are unmasked by the lovely librarian, Marian (Jones).
Genre: Musicals
Rating: G
Release Date: 1-JUN-2004
Media Type: DVD
User Submitted The Music Man (Special Edition) Reviews
August 29, 2008
The Music Man
I was not happy with the quality of this dvd. The duet between Shirley Jones and the barber shop quartet was a HUGH disappointment. You can only here the barber shop quartet singing and Shirley Jones voice is silent and only her lips move. This is one of the better songs in the movie and I was upset needless to say. I will think twice before buying from this setter again. Maybe I should have realized that a cheaper price does not insure a quality product.
July 28, 2008
"But He Doesn't Know The Territory ~ Bucking Public Opinion
Well, sorry to throw a monkey wrench into the praise party for the '62 film `The Music Man' but I have to be honest and say this is definitely not one of my favorite musicals. Yes there are moments of brilliance here; Robert Preston is magnificent as Professor Harold Hill and Shirley Jones is indeed lovely and sings beautifully, but I have decided to face the wrath of its legion of adoring fans and relate some of the reasons why this film bothers me.
The single most important aspect of a musical is the music itself and it is here that in my estimation the production fails. With the exception of the beautiful `Til There Was You' and the clever `Marian the Librarian' I don't find any of the other numbers are either noteworthy or memorable. In fact I find a number of them to be quite annoying such as the opening number `The Traveling Salesman', `Piano Lessons' and `Shipoopi'. Worst of all, if I have to hear that inane and repetitious `Gary, Indiana' song one more time I think I'll scream.
On the other hand, maybe I just prefer musicals that are a little more melancholy and reflective rather than lighthearted and whimsical, something with less brass and more strings? Anyway I've said it. I may be the lone contrary but it's my opinion nevertheless. I feel better now.
July 16, 2008
River City... Here I come...! ! ! !
After seeing this movie musical.. I ran out and booked a flight to
River City Iowa... Got my suspenders and my straw hat...dance shoes too!
Robert Preston is a Stitch.. however..Buddy Hackett sings awful.
and.. Ronny Howard.. OMG.. what happened to all that gorgeous red hair??
I bet he didnt see that comming ah??.. LOL
All the musical numbers are addicting...and if your a 60's child.. This DVD will take you back in time a spell.
Remember..
"We've got Trouble right here in River City ..with a capital "T" that rhyms with "P" and that stands for Pool."
July 7, 2008
Trouble Right Here on this DVD
Watch out for this DVD! The authoring needs to be vastly improved, as does the overall quality of the transfer. I tried four borrowed/rented copies of this edition in attempting to find a copy that my Coby DVD player wouldn't choke on. Finally I ordered a NEW copy, which looked somewhat suspect to me (bootleg? not sure). A big clue was that even though it played, initially the DVD player's display BLINKED continuously! The silk screen printed label on the DVD is also a little off. The picture seemed overly edge-enhanced as well as dull and in need of chroma correction. The second play registered better, and with a few tweaks the anamorphic picture improved, but it's still not up to today's DVD standards. Remember, this disc dates back to 1999 (with paper packaging to match)! Warner Brothers needs to issue a remastered Blu-Ray disc to get the full beauty of the original Techniscope (8 perf) negative, which was selected for preservation in 2005.
So if your copy isn't up to speed, I'd say return it for a full refund.
July 4, 2008
Trouble in River City
Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" is one of those classic musicals. Its plot is simple: con man Harold Hill comes to rural Iowa, saying he'll replace the pool hall with a family-friendly marching band. In the meantime, he woos the beautiful librarian Marian. As a live musical, "Music Man" is exuberant and energetic. Unfortunately, as a movie it seems to go on forever.
Robert Preston is stodgy as Harold Hill, and an unlikely suitor for Marian (Shirley Jones),unless she's a gold digger as well. There's a young Ron Howard, looong before his deadpan narration for "Arrested Development",singing "Gary,Indiana." "The Music Man" drags its feet. Too much exposition between songs. There's no energy to it. Is Iowa this boring? One hopes not.
"Music Man" is the All-American Boring Musical, unless one is fortunate enough to see a live production. Skip this movie; give Iowa a try instead!
June 29, 2008
Trouble!
This movie is fantastic, and hasn't lost anything over the years. I haven't checked out the other options, but the quality is awesome.
May 3, 2008
A pleasant way to spend an evening
This is of course a classic big Broadway musical from the era of great tunes and great stars. What makes this film particularly delightful after all of these years is the direction. It is shot in such a way as to not just "open it up" as a film with songs (which it does), but it gives you the feeling of the stage show with the big numbers choreographed with an eye for the proscenium stage and even a curtain call and encore at the end. You can see why Robert Preston was such a great performer (especially in this role). Comedy buffs can get a renewed appreciation of Paul Ford and Hermione Gingold. We can be charmed by Ron Howard and what a terrific actor he was at such a tender age...and marvel that there was such a creation as Shirley Jones with such beauty and such a voice....can't go wrong...
May 2, 2008
A timeless classic
I love how even a cold hearted con-man (played by Robert Preston) can fall in love. How, instead of slipping away in the night, he stays to face the cosequences of his actions - all because he is conflicted over leaving his new love. The new love (played by Shirley Jones)is also cold hearted because of the walls she built up to protect herself from men with one thing on their mind. The intermixing between the two, as Robert Preston tries to capture Shirley Jones' heart is very enjoyable. This "G" rated movie also has Buddy Hackett and shows the debut of Ronnie Howard, as a stuttering boy with a pained heart. Everyone plays their part well.
Filled with music and some dance numbers, this funny little small town romp is slow moving at times, but very ejoyable, and ofter very funny. I am happy that I finally purchased it
January 12, 2008
THE MUSIC MAN
This is a movie you must see. They don't make many good movies nowdays. Buy it, and totally get wrapped up in this. The people --characters and the acting are perfect.You'll find yourself humming the songs for weeks after you watch it.
January 7, 2008
delightful movie
We are still replacing things we lost during Katrina. This movie is such a delight, we had to replace it. Over 2 years after the Hurricane and people are still replacing things. It may be a small thing, but it is just as important to us as any other.
|
|
