Disney Presents The Music Man (2003 TV Film)

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. -â€"Jerry McCulley
Customer Review: 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.
Customer Review: 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.


One Day at Disney
Regardless of the time of day, the day of the week, or the date on the calendar, there is always something going on at all of the disney theme parks around the world. One Day at Disney takes readers on a global armchair journey from Disneyland in Anaheim, California, to Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. The clock starts at the stroke of midnight at Californias Disneylandwhere all the magic began in July 1955. Hour by hour, the parks and their guests are featured in brand-new, never-before-published photos takes especially for this book within a 24-hour period on a March day.
Customer Review: A great pictorial of Disney!
I don't remember where I got this at, but even at cover price it's a GREAT book. If you love Disney parks, GET THIS BOOK!! Yes, it's mostly pictures, but being able to see all 4 castles on one page or the differences between the Haunted mansions is really cool. Not much reading, it is mostly pictures. A great coffee table book. Keeps you dreaming/ remembering until the next trip.
Customer Review: Disney Has Never Looked So Good
As was once the case with the British Empire, the sun never sets on Disney's theme parks, with little havens of happiness (and profit) around the world -- California, Florida, France and Tokyo, with more just opened (Disney Sea, also in Tokyo) and more coming (Hong Kong). What this book does, like all the other "A Day at/in..." books, is give you a 24-hour time span. At the same time, it jumps from park to park, showing different aspects of different parks, at different times of the day or night -- with guests streaming in, cast members working, resting, smiling or laughing (if you're looking for a critical eye towards the Disney empire, this is not the book for that), or simply landscapes framed by the good work of Mother Nature and the photographer. For those who haven't traveled the world (and that's most of us), it gives you a detailed view of what the rest of the world sees when it looks at Disney, noting the differences and the similarities. And finally, if you just love the theme park(s), this book will help keep those memories fresh. It works for me.