Meredith Willson, Matthew Broderick, Victor Garber, Kristin Chenoweth - Disney Presents The Music Man (2003 TV Film)

Fresh from his Broadway triumph as accountant-turned-con-man Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks's The Producers, Matthew Broderick next tackled another of the American musical theater's most lovable rogues, The Music Man's Professor Harold Hill. As shepherded by the producers of the multi-Oscar^®-nominated Chicago, this energetic TV adaptation of Meredith Willson's evergreen plays up its still-potent metaphors of middle-American hope and redemption via sparkling new arrangements, yet wisely grounds its credibility in the subtle dramatic shadings of stars Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth. Vocally, Broderick may lack the bigger-than-life bravado of the original's Robert Preston, but it's precisely that scaled-down sincerity that carries his Hill throughout. Even familiar set pieces like "Seventy Six Trombones," "Ya Got Trouble," "Gary, Indiana," and the show's enduring ballad, "Till There Was You," seem informed from within, rather than splashed with garish production overkill. It's a brisk, smart adaptation of a true American theater icon. -–Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Only Chuck Norris would be worse than Matthew Broderick

Comparing the Robet Preston feature presentation to the made for TV version might be unfair, but folks, save your money.

This edition of the Music Man has been put through the Disney Smoothie machine turning a first rate Broadway Musical into a dubbed over, under-acted snoozer.

Only Chuck Norris would have been a worse choice for Harold Hill and that's only cause Chuck can't sing. Obviously trying to top Robert Preston is a difficult job, but Matthew Broderick doesn't even come close. He's too young to have been a "con-man" with any experience. Besides, Disney costume people have him stuffed into a too tight costume and he looks like an overstuffed cheese Danish.

Disney also continues to over-sex their recent movies by placing Ms Chenowith in a way, way too-tight outfit and has her waddling and wiggling herself down the street. Librarians in those days often worked in closed stacked libraries where going up and down ladders to retrieve a book was common. I can't fathom how the heck Chenowith got up the short flight of steps to her porch, let alone up and down a ladder. Out of place and out of time.

And finally (aren't you glad this is almost over) the members of school board (originally played by the Buffalo Bills Barber Shop Quartet) do a good job, but the original Buffalo Bills brought not only excellent singing skills, but a range of sizes, body types, personalities etc that this Disney disaster can't touch.

Grab the original - fast forward over the Buddy Hacket dance number - and enjoy a classic.
June 22, 2008

So Worth the Money!!

This CD is great!! Of course Kristin Chenoweth steals the recording as Marian Paroo, but Matthew Broderick holds his ground. Alot of people try to compare him to Robert Preston, but Broderick doesn't sound like him and they have dfferent voice tones. Anyway, Broderick is great, BUT his voice just doesn't do it on "Ya Got Trouble". That's the only thing wrong w/ this recording. The supporting cast shines too. Debra Monk is great, Molly Shannon is good, David Aaron Baker does a great rendition of "Shipoopi" and Boyd Banks is a cute and loveable Winthrop whos lisp isn't overdone. Overall this is a great rendition of The Muusic Man.
DEFNINTLY worth the buy. June 7, 2008

A Sadder But Wiser Girl....

It is hard to follow the pure perfection of the Preston/Jones film but I watched with hopeful heart. I wanted to like this but could not. Gave the one star for Kristin Chenowith, who is always engaging, but Matthew Broderick is an embarrassment. Horribly miscast, and despite have the age in years, he still seems too young for the part. Do NOT make this your introduction to this gem of a musical. Get the earlier version and then watch this at your own risk. September 17, 2007

Matthew Broderick is miscast

Matthew Broderick was about as charismatic as a stone in this version of the "Music Man". He most definitely was not charming or spellbinding as Professor Harold Hill's character should have been. Kristin Chenoweth was very nasily and often annoying, sounding like she had a clothes pin covering her nose as she spoke, but her singing voice was pretty good and I've seen her in other roles where she shows her talented acting abilities. The rest of the cast was very good, though. Matthew Broderick, is better playing a Harvey Milquetoast character! One could never liken him to a "Pied Piper". April 23, 2007

great soundtrack

I am a big Matthew Brodrick fan and I really enjoyed this sountrack!!! January 10, 2007

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