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VHS : Music ManIn association with Amazon.comRating:  - You GO, Shirl!There is such a wealth of kind reviews here on 'The Music Man', I almost didn't bother adding my own, until I realised that not one manages to convey how terrific Shirley Jones is in this movie. Never content to be just a musical star, Jones has always stretched her acting wings, as evidenced by her Oscar for her portrayal of a prostitute in 'Elmer Gantry'. Marian Paroo in 'The Music Man' is light-years removed from that role, but Shirley Jones proves, once again, that she's an actress. Productions of 'Music Man' rise and fall on the performance of the actress playing Marian; the role is incredibly difficult. It calls for the performer to make very fast transitions from starchiness to tremulous love-making- and Marian is called on not only to love Professor Hill, but to communicate to an audience WHY he's worth it. Shirley Jones tosses all this off so effortlessly that many people think she's not doing much- they're wrong! The full range of her talents gets a workout here; she sings, dances, has comedy bits (her scene 'vamping' an anvil salesman is a howler), and can hold a Technicolour close-up like nobody has in years. The most delightful part of her work, for my money, comes in the 'Marian the Librarian' number, where Marian's library is invaded (and its sanctity destroyed) by a visit from Harold Hill. Shirley's laser precision and split-second timing are a delight to watch; it's especially impressive when you stop to think that she's not primarily known as a dancer. As wonderful as Shirley Jones is, 'The Music Man' is not without flaws. Director Morton Da Costa elicted marvellous performances from his stars, but he seems not to have cared so much about what the minor players did. Many of the child actors are way too hammy; one gets the impression of hordes of stage mommas off-camera yelling, 'SING OUT, LOUISE!', and 'SMILE, BABY!'. Monique Vermont as Amaryllis is especially annoying; someone should have sent her home until she cut out at least 90 percent of her cutesy-poo schtick. Fortunately for the movie, 'The Music Man' has Ron Howard as Winthrop Paroo; his performance is a little miracle of naturalness. Da Costa also has trouble with basic movie POV issues; there's a bad POV switch right in the middle of 'Shipoopi'. In the same number, Da Costa ignores another basic rule of movie-making when Robert Preston is supposed to grab a couple of women and dance with them before grabbing Shirley Jones to finish the number with her. The first dancer he grabs is nearly a dead ringer for Jones, and since the audience is expecting him to find Jones and dance with her in the scene, it's confusing to see Preston abandon this dancer and go on to another. It's a silly, irritating mistake to see in such a great number. No matter what nits I pick, though, 'The Music Man' still has a great story, great cast, and of course, Shirley. By the way, there has been a controversy for decades about who was the better Marian Paroo- Shirley or Barbara Cook, who originated the role on Broadway. My vote, based on a comparison of the Broadway original cast album with Cook, and the movie soundtrack with Jones, goes squarely to Shirley. Barbara Cook sings every number as beautifully as only she knows how, and it is absolutely thrilling. But Shirley Jones does more- she uses her musicianship to enhance her acting. In the early songs, Jones keeps her voice 'cold' and correct, sticking strictly to the notes Meredith Willson wrote, as befits a straitlaced librarian. Later, when Marian's passions emerge, Jones unleashes a much lusher, more romantic voice- and it's that much clearer that the lady is in love. Enough from me. You've got a movie to buy! Rating: - I never saw musicals before Till There Was YouI first saw The Music Man at the Radio City Music Hall. It was then and it still is now one of the greatest adaptations of a stage play ever. From the clever casting to the wonderful music, It is a slice of America we will never see the likes of again. How anyone can not like it. It's so simple and innocent, good clean family fun.Be sure to buy the widescreen version. I made the mistake of buying the regular format it was awful, the quartet became a trio, actors appear to be talking to themselves. The widescreen version brings you The Music Man the way it was intended.Buy it and enjoy this American Masterpiece,What I consider the last original musical ever made. Rating: - Music Man is for EveryoneNot that it will surprise anyone, but this is my favorite musical. I first saw it in high school, just before my school put on the show - I played Mrs. Paroo. I have since played the Mayor's Wife, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn twice. But the joy for me is to watch Robert Preston. What a thrill that Hollywood recognized (after every other actor they offered it to turned it down in favor of Preston) that the stars on Broadway really do know how to act. I wish that there was a version with the Broadway cast, but that's another story. I have worn out one video and bought the wide-screen version. LOVE IT! Rating: - superbI have seen this movie approximately 30 times and am amazed how I do not grow tired of it. Rating: - Really comes to life with the widescreen versionThe regular release of this movie is unsatisfying. There's literally too much movie to fit on your TV set. You'll see someone singing to someone, but you can't see who. Well, in this widescreen version, you'll see it all. The movie suddenly makes a lot more sense during such numbers as "Goodnight My Someone". If you like "The Music Man" treat yourself to this widescreen version. You won't regret it. If you've never seen it, get this version instead of the "other" one. |
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