The Music Man (2003)

A masterful con artist tries to bilk a staid Midwestern community, with unexpected results, in this contemporary rethinking of the legendary Broadway musical and lively 1962 film, updated ... See full summary »

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writers:

Meredith Willson (story), Franklin Lacey (story)

Stars:

Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber

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

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Hix
Patrick McKenna	...	Charlie Cowell
Megan Moniz	...	Amaryllis
Richard Fitzpatrick	...	Constable Locke
Jenni Burke	...	Mrs. Squires
Marty Beecroft	...	Ewart Dunlop

Storyline

A masterful con artist tries to bilk a staid Midwestern community, with unexpected results, in this contemporary rethinking of the legendary Broadway musical and lively 1962 film, updated to reflect several early-21st-century sensibilities.

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Plot Keywords:

con artist | male female relationship | song | singing | singer | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Musical | Romance | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Trivia

In "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", Matthew Broderick's character Ferris is shown playing the clarinet badly and he says "Never had one lesson." In "The Music Man" he plays Professor Harold Hill, a bandleader who cannot read music or play an instrument.

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Goofs

When Marian is walking down the street singing "My White Knight," her purse moves from one hip to the other and back.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Train conductor: River City Junction, River City next station stop, River City next Aboard!
Salesman #1: It's them big new department stores back East. They let people buy anything on credit.
Salesman #2: If I don't give credit, I'm gonna lose customers.
Salesman #1: You crazy with the heat. Credit is no good for a notions salesman.
Salesman #2: Why not? What's the matter with credit?
Salesman #1: It's old-fashioned. Charlie, you're an anvil salesman, your firm give credit?
Charlie Cowell: No, sir!
Salesman #1: Nor anybody else.

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Connections

Version of The Music Man (1962)

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Soundtracks

Gary, Indiana
Written by Meredith Willson
Performed by Matthew Broderick, Cameron Monaghan and Kristin Chenoweth

User Reviews

What...were...they...thinking....?

I don't mind remakes, even of movies that were made perfect the first time around. This one, though... OUCH! If there's one thing Broderick can't play it's a con man. I have some serious reservations about his abilities as an actor, too....

Broderick's Professor Hill couldn't talk his way out of a wet bag. I know a lot of actors (especially the big names) like to put their own stamp on the characters they play in remakes. I don't understand why it would be necessary if the character was played perfectly the first time! Robert Preston's Hill could've sold a refrigerator to an eskimo.

The other characters are equally wet. Wilson's play was silly, hokey and corny, and everyone loved it. Preston, Jones & Co. played it up just right. This new cast took themselves far too seriously and ended up with an anvil on their big toe.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Music Man

Filming Locations:

Millbrook, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Storyline Entertainment, Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 180 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1