The Music Man

[conjurer1]

Forget the 76 trombones, this for is THE musical film of all time.
Robert Preston is without doubt well cast, perfect as a scallywag, smooth talking, fast thinking, slippery Joe with a heart of gold and more tricks up his sleeve than Tommy Cooper and David Nixon combined.
A delight to watch and listen to, lots of nice if obscure tunes and a cute little tike of a 5year old … oh yes I believe he went on to become something of a success himself.
Yep, little Ronnie or as I am sure he would prefer to be called today Ron Howard!
I love it.

[Windthrop]

It contains a galvanic star performance from Preston. I love Richard Burton's description of of RP's voice - 'Golden Syrup'.

[Film Man]

Is it only me who thought it went on forever and only had one good song...I only watched it because it was in Technirama!
Film Man.

[will.15]

It is valuable for putting on film Robert Preston's definitive performance of a role he originated on stage, but is is very much a typical stage bound musical that makes no attempt to be cinematic. It is good on those terms and has three decent songs, which makes it one of the better Broadway scores.

[daveoc]

Seems like it is now impossible to buy, at normal prices, on dvd or blu-ray on region 1 and 2.

Presumably out of print.

[will.15]

They were liquidating unopened VHS versions several years ago in 99 cent stores,. That's how I saw it for the first time.

[didi-5]

Seems like it is now impossible to buy, at normal prices, on dvd or blu-ray on region 1 and 2.

Presumably out of print.

ChoicesUK has got a copy for under £8. It's around £17 on Amazon. Also spotted it in at least two HMV stores lately.

[Mr Sloane]

Forget the 76 trombones, this for is THE musical film of all time.
Robert Preston is without doubt well cast, perfect as a scallywag, smooth talking, fast thinking, slippery Joe with a heart of gold and more tricks up his sleeve than Tommy Cooper and David Nixon combined.
A delight to watch and listen to, lots of nice if obscure tunes and a cute little tike of a 5year old … oh yes I believe he went on to become something of a success himself.
Yep, little Ronnie or as I am sure he would prefer to be called today Ron Howard!
I love it.

It is one of my favourite musicals Robert Preston is brilliant a great barnstorming performance with stellar support from the supporting actors.
There is a remake with Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth as much as love Kristin it just isn't in the same league.

[will.15]

Matthew Broderick was simply horrible, totally wrong for the part. I remember (didn't see it) there was a touring production many years ago with Dick Van Dyke.

[Windthrop]

Brian Cox did a provincial tour of it a few about 15 years ago IIRC - he was very good.

Brian Conley starred in a revival a few years ago.

[conjurer1]

I remember hearing about the Brian Conley revival.
No one can match Robert Preston in the part ... it was his and no one elses.
Amazon has it on DVD from £18-24; Love Film on down load if you can beleive that.
I time shifted some years ago onto VHS, which I sometimes use.