The Music Man (2003) (TV)

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writers (WGA):

Meredith Willson (story) and
Franklin Lacey (story) ...

Release Date:

16 February 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Musical | Romance | Drama

Plot:

Contemporary rethinking of the legendary Broadway musical and 1962 film, updated to reflect a few early...

Plot Keywords:

Con Artist | Broadway Musical | Small Town | Singer | Based On Musical

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Matthew Broderick	...	Professor Harold Hill
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Marian Paroo
Victor Garber	...	Mayor Shinn
Debra Monk	...	Mrs. Paroo
Molly Shannon	...	Mrs. Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn
David Aaron Baker	...	Marcellus Washburn
Cameron Monaghan	...	Winthrop Paroo
Clyde Alves	...	Tommy Djilas
Cameron Adams	...	Zaneeta Shinn
Linda Kash	...	Alma
Patrick McKenna	...	Charlie Cowell
Megan Moniz	...	Amaryllis
Richard Fitzpatrick	...	Constable Locke
Jenni Burke	...	Mrs. Squires
Marty Beecroft	...	Ewart Dunlop

Runtime:

150 min | USA:180 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Millbrook, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Storyline Entertainment

Trivia:

Sarah Jessica Parker was at one time going to play Marion Paroo opposite real-life husband 'Matthew Broderick'.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Marion is walking down the street singing "My White Knight" her purse moves from one hip to the other then back again.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Mayor Shinn: You watch your phraseology!

Movie Connections:

Featured in ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) (TV)

Bravo!

As in any truly great piece of entertainment, any revival will inevitably bring comparisons to the original, or notable performance. The Music Man as a play holds a special place in my pantheon, I directed the play on stage for high school 35 years ago, and I know the Robert Preston film version word for word. This was excellent.

BRAVO!

Harold Hill is not a villain. He is a self centered, profit making salesman, with a larcenous heart, and a desire to have "a little on the side" while pursuing his trade. He did not steal, he simply exaggerated what he could and would do. But he did deliver on the purchases.

Along the way, he helped a child that was stunned by the loss of a parent; brought joy and friendship to people that were at odds. He never demanded anything for those acts, other than to avoid revealing that he was a salesman. And even he receives absolution for his less than honest tactics.

But that is less than important. There are no villains, no killers, no rapists, no thieves, no dishonest politicians. And that, more than anything is what brings the film into focus. These are people, caught up in day to day staying alive and working, and have lost the childish innocence that makes life enjoyable. He brings it back. And, because this is a fable, not reality, yes, there is a big band at the end. Because it's a musical, it's not reality.