The Music Man: Musical Hell Review #28

[@bsperoz]

A private artsy high school in my town did a production of this one time. The problem? The had plenty of actors but no band for the "76 trombones" finale. Their solution? Ask for volunteers such as myself from the city's public high school's VERY LARGE marching band. Of over 100 member about 40 of us got to relax in a backstage room eating fine foods and all we had to do was March onto the stage and into the audience playing "76 trombones" as their finale. IT WAS A BLAST and noone in the audience knew the Portsmouth Abbey High School had secretly recruited almost half the Portsmouth Public High School marching band for a surprise finale to complete their own film to stage musical adaptation! So yes. I HAVE been part of a musical! (I played crash cymbals as we marched out into the shocked crowd).

[@christinacody5845]

For Our high school musical there were too many of the marching band members in our small school (about 500 total in the high school with a marching band size of 75ish) that were ALSO in the musical (the music kids overlapped a LOT) so they recruited the 8th grade band students to be the "marching band." The music director created a version of "76 Trombones" for them to learn that was purposefully off-key with incorrect notes in different parts for each kid to make it extra authentic.

[@grumbygrumble2762]

100 brass players had a feast and went into the auditorium and played their instruments? You should NEVER play a brass instrument without brushing your teeth first!! Chemical soak them at a band instrument repair shop and then ALWAYS brush your teeth before you play it. Bet your range will easily go up a whole step after the crud is cleaned out of your horn.

[@helgmelia84]

Ohhhhhh.... you're talking about the remake. For a little while there I was afraid I'd have to unleash a can of Internet Rage on you. All hail the original Music Man film adaption!

[@becuaseimbored3481]

I now wish i could see it again , now that i am old enough to actually understand what is going on .

[@PrincessNinja007]

Do they even have the original in hell?

[@scarylion1roar]

The '62 movie is available to rent or buy through KZbin or Google Play Movies, and whichever platform you purchase it on will carry over to the other :)

[@rogue7723]

At least the choreography in the remake was impressive. Puts it a bit ahead of the _Annie_ remake in that regard.

[@dlakoba4459]

I never knew they did a remake. I came to KZbin hopefully to watch the musical for free but glad I saw this review!!!!!! No reason to make a remake!!!!

[@AdamqK]

Broderick's bland, pudding-like face and glassy eyes look like a major factor in the failure of this. He looks zonked and barely engaged, or more like someone who's considering wearing Marian's skin as a suit.

[@spookystela4661]

I know you wrote this 2 years ago but “pudding-like face” is the best insult I’ve heard in a long time

[@paulmerritt8593]

lol 3 years later i read this and die laughing. What did you start?

[@mikewebber2637]

I think his laid back persona, which works in many things I have seen, was just wrong for a part people expect to be played with very high energy.

[@oddish4352]

They should have used Craig Bierko, who made a halfway decent Harold Hill in the Broadway revival of about the same time. No one can be Robert Preston (even the incomparable Cary Grant flatly refused to try to match him in this role), but Bierko came close. And he didn't have a pudding face.

[@adrienso3ia]

I honestly think our community theatre production was better than this movie.....

[@gilian2587]

That's quite possible.

[@CharliArmstrong]

Heck, my high school production was better than this and our barbershop quartet consisted of our choir teacher and three girls (myself included) whose attempts at chest binding failed due to our sheer volume.

[@gilian2587]

@@CharliArmstrong That sounds painful. I think I would have just suggested to 'leave the chests alone', get some fake mustaches -- and call it good!

[@fozzieatdetourbillnye5514]

I actually think this IS made for the same reason as stage productions. No seriously. Theatres productions don't use professional actors but are to give actors a change to do what they like and give people who like the story itself a change to see if it can work. Just my 2 cents

[@j.r.cilliangreen4083]

I was super fortunate to see Mary Zimmerman’s production at the Goodman and that makes this version...even more pitiful...

[@jackhartford521]

There is always a knife edge with remakes. If it’s too different, you lose the original crowd. If it’s too close to the original, it catches criticism for just being a copy.

[@madelyncompton318]

My old roommate's brother played Harold Hill in his school's performance last year. It was so crazy seeing a 16 year old be infinitely better at the role than a professional actor

[@Smogget]

They really just tossed Victor Garber into every late 90s/early 2000s movie didn't they.

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

*sigh* Victor Garber. He's overqualified for the role by a long-shot. Frankly, I always thought he was better suited to play Harold Hill instead of Broderick.

[@joyunicycle]

I would have been interested to see him do that (as long as he puts more emotion into his singing and acting than Broderick did)

[@lilliedoubleyou3865]

joyunicycle given Broderick's awkward and somewhat unsettling performance, I doubt Garber would have had difficulty doing that! :D

[@SpiritKitten]

So is Kristen Chenowith!

[@rogue7723]

He also was in ABC’s Cinderella and Annie do the guy has some movie-musical cred.

[@beethovensfidelio]

@@rogue7723 And he was in the movie “Godspell”.

[@resyrum5301]

The biggest sin of the remake is that the train conductor doesn't say River City Ioway

[@featheredskyblue]

You missed what I consider the most irritating of this version's sins: they LITERALLY walk away from the logical setting multiple times. Marian walks straight out of the house while she's meant to be teaching a piano lesson. In "76 Trombones" Harold Hill goes off for a dance number with the kids when their parents (the ones he SHOULD be conning) are in another room. Instead of standing with his audience for “Trouble,” he walks away and the song plays more like the gossiping biddies of “Pick-a-Little” more than “Pick-a-Little” did. It simply doesn't make sense. Otherwise, you've hit all of the things that make this movie irritate me. I tried to rewatch this again recently and it hurt my soul.

[@MusicalHell]

featheredskyblue Excellent point!

[@MrGabeanator]

+Musical Hell believe it or not I remember this

[@MrGabeanator]

+Musical Hell this musical was over hyped by ABC

[@Day2DayWithMcK]

I remember! And even from the moment that they started listing the cast I was thinking... THIS is going to be terrible! I think EVERYONE in the cast is VERY talented....but totally wrong for these roles. And BINGO! I was right on that one.

[@MrGabeanator]

according to her

[@MissCaraMint]

My mom always goes on and on about how that scene where the kids finaly play reminds her of how is was hearing my first concert. Mind you I was way better because you know, actual lessons. The point is though that kids suck when they first start playing, but as a parent you still feel ridiculously full of pride. The first movie definitely captured that. The part with the full band at the end could be a touch of magic or it could be the rose colored glasses that the parents are seeing the kids through.

[@SarahElisabethJoyal]

As someone who used to work in high school theatre I can confirm that there are parents who never outgrow that phase

[@Bunnyinthebasement]

Minor detail in the two "Rock Islands", the original had the salesmen in a typical coach (chair car) drinking what looks like complimentary water while the remake had them in a lounge car sampling what looks like liquor. If they're having trouble with customers, why would they spend the money on being in the pricier car?

[@MusicalHell]

Yeah, that bothers me too. Traveling salesmen in general don't seem like the type who would be hanging out in the first-class parlor car.

[@PrincessNinja007]

Then again, Harold Hill wouldn't be in the economy car sipping free water either. It's almost a universal truth of tv con artists that they spend their money as fast and loose as they make it

[@hengineer]

They were all supposed to be hucksters, and hucksters literally scrape by the skin of their teeth. If you've seen "The founder" about Ray Kroc's story, it matches perfectly. Strickly lower middle class and scraping by. How in the heck could they afford a lounge car instead of basic coach (especially on a train doing a regular run between Illinois and Iowa)

[@n.c.lightning]

Matthew Brodrick portraying Harold Hill as a “cool and collected” convincing con artist reminds me of Ben Shapiro. And that itself makes the role creepy and disturbing. Like instead of going “hell yeah this is such a prank bro” he makes me go “I think he’s actually convinced by his own lies and beginning to believe in them as he goes.”

[@elizabetheowynbelle]

Did you see "The Music Man" parody on "SNL" a few months ago with Lin-Manuel Miranda? I don't know about you, but I think he'd make a wonderful Harold Hill! He's charismatic, a good dancer, and he can sing AND rap, so he could more than handle Merrideth Wilson's patter songs!

[@MusicalHell]

I think I'd prefer Daveed Diggs myself--he's smooth af and his "Trouble" would be a thing of beauty--but Miranda could definitely do the role too!

[@LaineMann]

You know what fuck it. Just remake this movie with Lin. He's awesome, although I'm not sure if he can actually sing. I've only heard him rap.

[@winters_revolt]

@@LaineMann He sings in the Hamilton Cast Recording plenty of times, he doesn't rap through all of it. Dear Theodosia is the first thing that come to mind, and if you want to hear him in musical that doesn't have him rapping, I would suggest the 2015 Encores! Cast Recording of Merrily We Roll Along.

[@LaineMann]

Eh I've heard him he can't really sing but he's a damn good rapper and pay to see that.

[@winters_revolt]

@@LaineMann It seems to me that his singing voice gets a lot of debate on wether it is good or not. I personally really like it a lot.

[@XxSophiAxXSDfan97]

i hope we get a review of the rocky horror remake, it destroyed my soul in the half an hour i saw of it

[@tatehildyard5332]

Sophia P Bitch please. I sat through the whole thing. Twice. Only decent things were Adam Lambert and Laverne Cox looking hot in red leather.

[@XxSophiAxXSDfan97]

lol thats why i want a review. i only got up to the time warp before i turned it off

[@tatehildyard5332]

I want one too. I'm just saying I managed to stomach it longer.

[@XxSophiAxXSDfan97]

congrats i guess lol

[@austinpersing3132]

I get why people hate it but even though it's vastly inferior to the original, the music is more pleasant to listen to. And it feels like the actors and actresses are having more fun with their characters than in the original. The saving grace of the remake is that Laverne Cox is a fantastic frankenfurter

[@joanbennettnyc]

"half Ragtime, half Hairspray" -- perfection!

[@lillianward2810]

I forgot how awful this was. This premiered the day after I wrapped a community theatre production of Music Man. We were so pumped and it was dreadful. I’m glad that it wasn’t just the contrast of the show I’d just spent months working on.

[@thewilytroutesq5260]

Oh, good for you. Robert Preston was perfect as Harold Hill, on Broadway and in the film. And yes, I'm that effing old. And still kicking.

[@williampelto6095]

I agree. It's my most favorite musical. You can't beat the chemistry between Jones and Preston!!!

[@Mochitachi70]

"just because Broderick first played a con man he shouldn't play this one" Just like Jesse Eisenberg playing a CEO for the second time (but if the script had him putting his piss on a jar the bar wasn't too high).

[@brianstorm5488]

Great analysis. Your comments about Marion’s (missing) backstory helps me appreciate how important that small bit of detail is in motivating Marion to accept H.H. No excuses needed for your puns, the writing is very good. Enjoying your series a lot - really putting a fine point on the troubled history of improperly adapted shows. Surely more people would like musicals if there weren’t so many hack jobs done on good material. This is a great subject for a series and you’re doing a terrific job! (Btw the Camelot installment has me aching for a modern film remake to finally get it right. One of the best song scores ever imo. Only I must admit I love Richard Harris - but he and David Hemmings are the only good ones.). Cheers.

[@kimlechman5856]

I'm sure you know this by now, but NBC had pulled out The Music Man Live and instead did The Wiz, which was 10 times better than the film version with Micheal Jackson.

[@davidspring4003]

as long as they didn't cast Christopher Walken as Hill, I think we'd be fine.

[@PrincessNinja007]

Ooh do you have links?

[@jeffreykare]

Now, we're getting a Broadway revival of THE MUSIC MAN later this year with Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster.

[@harrietamidala1691]

You want to know a funny story? Back in the day (late 90s-early 2000s), my family would often record the Wonderful World of Disney musical specials on videotape, like Cinderella, Annie, Geppetto and the Music Man. Anyway, one day I wanted to watch the Music Man again, but I couldn't find the recorded tape. I eventually found it, but when I put it in the VCR, it had been recorded over with another program! Boy, was I pissed. Now with it on DVD, I always check out the Music Man from the library to see if it has held over the past decade, but weirdly my parents never bought an official copy like they did for Cinderella, Annie, and Geppetto because they were sick of zipping past the commercials. Amazing what we used to do in the pre-DVR days.

[@JoelandtheBots]

You know, I'd like to think the reason NBC scrapped a Music Man Live adaptation was because they saw this pile of shit and wisely decided there was no "improving" the original version.

[@GatorRay]

+Avethine It wouldn't shock me in the slightest if what the staff they got made it look too much like the Disney version so they decided "Wait this is just gonna end up being more like the pile of vomit and not the original. SCREW THAT!"

[@Emisop]

Nah. No matter what NBC fucks the shows up. The Music Man was just lucky.

[@GatorRay]

+BriannaChivetta That doesn't shock me after seeing the Musical Hell episode on Peter Pan Live.

[@danielyoung5137]

@@GatorRayo dear Gawd! That one truly was one of the absolute WORST!

[@Cheezbuckets]

Under this video, KZbin recommends buying or renting the 1962 version. It’s always fun when KZbin ads are beautifully ironic!

[@kittygrimm7301]

True story: a few years ago, my parents adopted this adorable goldendoodle pupper named Beamish and he was crate trained and this will be important in a second. Around this time, my dad was actually watching this movie while Beamish was in his crate. Normally, Beamish loves music (he seemed to like it when I sang Mowgli’s Road by Marina and the Diamonds) but every time the music of Music Man played, the poor pup would bash his head against his crate as if to say: “MAKE IT STOP!"

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

"Smart As-modeus". I just got that heh.

[@Emisop]

I did a Musical Theature Camp and at the end of the first week, we did a preformance of some of the songs from The Music Man with Sanito Fontana and his wife Jessica Hershberg. I got to stand behind him during the bows. It was awesome.

[@Chocobo0Scribe]

I've seen a stage production of The Music Man by Starlight Kids and it was amazing! The Rock Island number was done very creatively, where the "train" was just the salesmen all siting on their briefcases and not only did they sign in rhythm with the train they also moved in sync with the beat as well by rocking back and forth and bouncing on the balls of their feet. And when Harold Hill leaves, he just casually gets up and exits stage right with his briefcase in plain view while all the sales guys do a giant double take.

[@oliviabull674]

y’all i live in the town the music man was based on and i have heard (and played) 76 trombones so much, but honestly what a blessing we stan the music man

[@DarkDennis1961]

I was looking for the original Music Man. but I found the new one by accident. I watched it then I wondered if i was wrong for hating it. thanks for the support

[@lillianward2810]

I remember this premiered the day after I finished a community theatre production of Music Man- my town’s very first one. It was supposed to be our cast party watching this but there was a huge snow storm and the party was cancelled, so we all had to watch it in horror separately. Our version was so much better.

[@kogami5735]

I'm doing a production at my school and I'm casted as Marcellus, I hope I do Shipoopi good

[@rayfridley6649]

The best thing that I can say for Matthew Broderick's Music Man version is that the Broadway dialogue in the Rock Island scene was used in tact, unlike the 1962 movie version.

[@KingoftheJuice18]

My first review of yours, watched immediately after seeing the remake. I think you were right on with almost all of your observations. I would have further highlighted the sin of the number "Marian the Librarian"--too slow, plodding, lacking energy and fun. I loved the original film, but I will say that I was always a little unconvinced that Robert Preston as Hill had really fallen in love with Marian. THAT part seemed quite abrupt to me. I think the remake gives a bit more attention to this transition. Thank you for your channel.

[@jenniferschillig3768]

Aw, I liked the 1999 Annie. It certainly remedied the 1982 version's worst sin of taking out good songs and replacing them with lame ones--it restored two of the show's best songs ("NYC" and "Something Was Missing"). Plus, you know, Victor Garber, Audra MacDonald, Kristen Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Kathy Bates... The 1982 version wasn't terrific, but even that had its saving graces (Albert Finney, though not as good a singer as he was in Scrooge, certainly was as good an actor as he ever was). But I don't see the point of the remake if it's going to change so much of the story and even change a main character's name (what in God's name did the makers of this have against the name "Oliver Warbucks"?!)

[@MusicalHell]

Annie is kind of a "meh" show for me. Some of the songs are good (I rather like "Easy Street") but the story and characters just don't interest me all that much. Although I agree that the '99 version has a very talented ensemble attached to it. I'm both dreading and morbidly curious about the new movie. Cameron Diaz's Miss Hannigan looks pretty embarrassing in the trailers.

[@amyclarke41]

+Musical Hell the only version for me is the 1982 one and Albert finney nailed it ,annie was a tad grating😠

[@MrGabeanator]

do you think Seth Macfarlane would make a good Harold hill

[@carisjacksonville]

You see the 1982 version has a kind of special place in my heart. The first and a bit odd is Anne Renking. I had seen her perform a Bob Fosse number at the taping of a CBS Lively Arts For Young People special (never got to actually see the broadcast version), and as part of a premium for a PBS donation my Mom got us tickets to the DC premiere and the surprise for us Anne Renking was there. The other was Carol Burnette, Bernadette Petters, and Carol Burnett. Three of the best musical comedy performers and they just killed.

[@hengineer]

Did you see Seth McFarlane's version at the Tony Awards? While no Robert Preston, I think his voice could match the role perfectly.

[@ryantherebel]

18:23 Yikes, that was painful.

[@MusicalHell]

It's kind of like orange juice and bacon--fine on their own, but put them together and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

[@AmythefirstA]

I wanted to show this movie to my husband because of the great songs, but we somehow ended up watching the 2003 version. We were both completely underwhelmed. I had seen the old movie many years before when I was a kid, and I remembered it being so much better! When we finally made it right and watched the original movie, my husband absolutely fell in love with it! Now our five-year goal is to play the lead parts in a local production. 😊

[@Isolder74]

I was blissfully unaware that this version existed. Thanks alot for the terror. The Music Man has always been one of, if not the most favorite of musicals ever. The original movie almost ended up with a massive misstep in that the studio wanted to push for the more 'marketable' idea of having Frank Sinatra play Hill but thanks to already hiring the director of the film who had worked with Hill on the play before he refused to bow to the studio's pressure and change the part insisting that there was only one man for the part and it was Preston. We almost bit the bullet there if they'd had their way. Robert Preston was and still is the best person to every take up the mantle of Harold Hill and no one will ever fill those shoes. You have to wonder about how some studio execs think when the marquee value of a movie is worth more then the best person for the part. I don't think anyone in this version was properly cast for their parts in this film. Matthew does not have the energy for the part and I think never will as Hill is a character that has to talk and think fast 24/7 something Matthew will never be able to do. The casting is so obviously use as many Disney contract and TV actors as possible to save money as I've ever seen.

[@kerrybart2683]

So many reviews, I didn't read them all, but it seems the general consensus is Don't waste your time on the Broderick Music Man. I remember when it came out. I was intrigued. I like Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and I LOVE Robert Preston and Shirley Jones et. al. in The Music Man. First viewing of the Broderick: That was... odd. I could understand all of the words, though, so there's that. And maybe it'd get younger viewers interested in Willson's masterpiece. Most of all, though, I appreciated that Broderick and company did NOT copy Preston and company, which it seems every production since before I was born did. Preston and company set the bar high, they nailed it, and many people did their best just to imitate them. I raise my glass to Broderick and company for unashamedly NOT copying Preston and co. Second viewing of the Broderick: I enjoyed it. I sat back and enjoyed it. Does it have the charisma and polish of Preston and co? Not by a mile. But ultimately it's still Willson's, and that's good enough for me. So cheers, Matthew Broderick and company! And cheers, Robert Preston and company! You've done a beautiful thing.

[@patriciomejia1114]

I have to say, thank you, Dive, for introducing me to the Music Man with Robert Preston. I watched it a while ago, and it was fantastic.

[@laurelizabeth269]

I'm so glad I found this video🥹 Thank you for the laughs! The remake was actually my first introduction to The Music Man (and at that point it had already been 5 years after its premier). I was 12 years old in a middle school theater class, and I fell in LOVE with it. I remember being at home over spring break and watching a chopped version of it on KZbin about 15 times. I was obsessed with it😂 I think within a year I discovered the original film adaptation, and I lost my ever-loving mind at how much better it was! I've seen the remake a couple of times since then, because it has a special, nostalgic place in my heart, but I've seen the original more times than I can count and objectively prefer that one much more. The 2 things I do like about the remake are 1) Kristin Chenoweth's portrayal of Marian (not as compared to Shirley Jones, just appreciating it as a standalone performance). She really did her best to carry that entire film on her tiny 4'11" frame, and I just really adore her. And 2) replacing the original film's "Being in Love" with the infinitely superior (in my humble opinion) "My White Knight," though I do wish they had left it in the original key instead of lowering it just a smidge.

[@ljaygould]

I do enjoy Kristin in the role of Marian. The GREAT imponderable for me, though, is why My white knight, one of the great songs of Broadway, should be LOWERED for this singer who has, in spades, the voice to knock the song out of the park in original key (find here on KZbin Rebecca Luker singing this song beautifully in the 2000 Broadway revival and the original, and GREAT, Barbara Cook, check the key and then come back for this relative disappointment). Kristin played Cunegonde in CANDIDE and sang all those notes - BTW Barbara Cook was the excellent original of that too. BTW that "lowering" was more than "just a smidge". That being said, the recent revival on Broadway featuring Sutton Foster showed why she was miscast: There, they HAD to lower My white knight because Sutton is a mezzo. WRONG!!!!

[@jamesosullivan6055]

That moment when Diva gets a character arc.

[@brucemiller5356]

p.s. a little movie trivia. when they were filming the 'never heard it at all' #, preston felt a bump...'say, what is this?' he asked jones. she confessed that she was 'infanticipating' as a chicago columnist once opined. she had kept it a secret, fearing she would be fired. the costume dept helped out by letting out her dresses just enough. she deserved an oscar just for her preggy performance.

[@bbender3113]

Even the inclusion of Kristen Chenowith , she with a crystalline soprano [ strongly suspect she was cast as much for her height as for her virtuoso voice] cannot save this mess. Title character, Professor Harold Hill [so abysmally portrayed by diminutive non musical Matthew Broderick ] is the very essence of banality; at times redefining the word definition.

[@christinacody5845]

To be fair, Robert Preston was no musical talent either. I read one of the autobiographies of Meredith Wilson and he specifically created the Harold Hill character to have minimal singing for that very reason.

[@aadamtx]

Many years ago, I reviewed the PBS "Broadway" series for a national publication. I'm still flummoxed that the series cited Broderick as a Broadway musical star but left out Preston altogether. Broderick is ok when he plays, well, Bueller now and then, but he simply is non-charismatic. Coincidentally, when I saw the touring company of THE PRODUCERS, Alan Ruck (Broderick's FB co-star) was in the role Broderick originated on Broadway. Fun Fact: The guy who plays "the boy from the other side of the tracks" had a very brief film career and finally became the world's first male go-go dancer.

[@pookywooky42]

Matthew Broderick definitely needed to be more dramatic and charismatic. It wouldn't have hurt if he smiled more too, I mean he's suppose to be excited about this band thing. On top of that, he has this sort of baby face going on, which I might have been able to forgive if his acting and singing were good (which they weren't).

[@stoutyyyy]

pookywooky42 I mean he’s a good actor, but this role wasn’t for him

[@austingillum4807]

@@stoutyyyy Agreed. Matthew Broderick is one of those actors who can only put on a truly great performance so long as he’s given the right material to work with. Look no further than Simba, Ferris Bueller, and his character in Bojack Horseman for when he CAN in fact ACT.

[@keithchawgo4969]

It's a shame that Emile Ardolino died as he was to direct this. He previously did Bette Midler's Gypsy which improved on the original film, (though I love Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood). He also did Sister Act and Dirty Dancing and he was to direct this version of Music Man and Mame but unfortunately he died of AIDS. This is a pity because it does have a great cast and some really bad direction.

[@CSXIV]

I'm not sure if I'm actually seeing this, but... In the opening scene in the remake, the train car appears to be doing a realistic train car bounce. Which is fine, but.. In the opening scene in the original, the train car appears to be bouncing to the beat of the song, acting as a stand in for the non-existent percussion that would normally be keeping the rhythm. Which further sells the song's rhythm simulating the sounds of a train.

[@joecomer8275]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Preston film is brilliant from start to finish. But while I have been a fan of Broderick since the beginning of his career, he just didn't do it for me in the remake. His and the rest of the cast's performances plus some extremely claustrophobic cinematography and staging absolutely ruined it. Thank goodness, I can always return to the classic original for superb entertainment all around!!

[@aromaladyellie]

I'm starting to think the only good Wonderful World of Disney musical was Cinderella. The one with Brandy and Whitney Houston. And Victor Garber who is also in this movie.

[@lalas181]

Alright, I'm not too keen on Music Man in general due to the squick of Harold Hill not being able to take Marian's blatant rejections as a sign to at least stop coming on so strong and the fact that in the original film version he plants a smoocheroonie on her when she's clearly repulsed by him, but your explication of their dynamic (and the whole show) here makes me able to see why other people like it. I've only seen the original film version, and I was loudly uncomfortable the whole time, but Shipoopi and Madame Librarian are _infernally_ catchy, and Rock Island and Trouble are perfect patter songs in every way I can think of. Seriously, I use Trouble and Brand New Day from Dr. Horrible's as "what is a patter song?" examples. Hate to say it, but Music Man has earned my begrudging respect. As much as I dislike the thing, the Disney version proves that it can always be _worse._ Maybe I _wouldn't_ turn down a chance to play Harold Hill after all. It'd be a good exercise in playing against type. I'm still salty Marian doesn't get any good songs, though. The girl deserved way better than she got, dammit!

[@mikewebber2637]

She had "Till There Was You!" Not to mention half of the counterpoint number, which is pure magic!

[@ryandowney8743]

Holy crap, Patrick McKenna is in this! I love that guy. He's most famous for playing the nerdy Harold on The Red Green Show.

[@cair124]

Broderick & Chenowith - how can you tell how they blend when the background music is blasting so loudly?

[@rogue7723]

Is it insulting that every time I see Buddy Hackett I just think of Scuttle?

[@Tigerfire75]

Robert Preston was amazing in the Music Man

[@the503creepout7]

my absolute favorite portrayal of Prof. Harold Hill is that of Jeff Goldblum. if you're a fan of The Music Man or musicals in general, check out the movie Pittsburgh. It's an underappreciated flick.

[@OceanbornAngel]

Can't wait to see what Hugh Jackman does on Broadway in The Music Man.

[@tristanbray2184]

From what I've heard, he's pretty good in the show.

[@danielyoung5137]

I saw him and l think Robert Preston would be proud of him. The point of the character is that he is a totally theatrical critter in a crowd of totally bland, matter-of-fact folks. The dynamics of the story come from his galvanizing them (and us) into realizing the creative possibilities life can offer us. The original Broadway show and the film that follows it were brilliant treatments. Jackman and Sutton did themselves proud in the current revival.

[@nickbritt1145]

I’ve recently watched the 1962 version per your suggestion and by honk and Ye Gods, did Disney ever drop the ball! Whoever thought it was a good idea to drain all the energy and positivity out of The Music Man should never be allowed to work in entertainment again. And you’re also right about musicals deserving better than what they’re going through. Just as I thank Shyamalan’s Avatar movie for piquing my interest in the original series, I, too, thank this adaptation for letting me appreciate the original source material.

[@GingerL012]

I'm so glad I found this video! My husband and I have had a long-running debate on which Music Man movie is superior. He prefers the Matthew Broderick one and I prefer the objectively better Robert Preston one. Broderick just seems either sleepy or like a sad puppy through the whole movie -- just not enough charisma in the role. And, as much as I love Kristen Chenoweth, I love Shirley Jones in this part a little more. She's not quite as cheeky as Chenoweth in the role, and I think that works better for a character nicknamed "Madame Librarian." I feel very vindicated in my opinion after watching this :)

[@nyxshadowhawk]

I’m rewatching this after watching Hugh Jackman’s version on Broadway. That was an excellent new take on the material! It was so vivacious, and it felt interactive even though it wasn’t. Jackman makes such a good Harold Hill that he almost rivals the original. Great choreography, too.

[@samuelglassjr.5514]

Your takes on SGT. PEPPER, REPO!: THE GENETIC OPERA and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG convinced me to subscribe, but THIS clip here? It totally confirms why subscribing was a good thing to do. Now, there are SOOOO MANY circles in Musical Hell that I hope you cover in the future...So Much Dreck, So Little Time!

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

I still love this version. Idc what you say. Also, Winthrop turns into Ian from Shameless

[@thechildebeast4686]

Meredith Wilson's The Music Man is (in my opinion) one of the greatest stage musicals and musical films ever made. The original Robert Preston film is unbeatable. I tend to think that when television networks make made-for-tv musicals, Gypsy starring Bette Midler and Rocky Horror starring Laverne Cox for example, that they aren't trying to be so close to the original source material but rather take their own spin on it instead. But by God, the only thing I enjoyed about this production when it aired was the parts when Chenoweth sang alone. Lovely review of this mess, though!

[@Day2DayWithMcK]

Oh my GOSH!!!! I am meeting my musical-theater-doppleganger!!!!!! Sorry to the rest of the comment readers... but I am going to copy and paste my comment for this wonderful soul!! I've had MANY discussions over The Music Man which, if we were ever to set a musical into a time capsule as a perfect example of musical theater - it would BE The Music Man. The show.. perfection. The original movie.. absolutely wonderful (as wonderful as can be filmed on a sound stage vs a natural setting throughout the whole film). The remake... oh dear Lord! Did we have to remember this one? Truly enjoy Kristen....in nearly anything but this. Not a fan of Ferris Bueller (I know, I know... I'm the only one not absorbed by that film)...and seeing Matthew in this (and this being my only example of his musical work)? I wondered how he would ever make a living on the Broadway stage. I even LIKE Victor Garber... but what was he smoking with this version?? No, No, NO!!!!!! Stay with the original film. The stage performance is wonderful...but no community or high school can perform it like Robert Preston and Shirley Jones (and Barbara Cook in the original cast album even goes her a step better!!) are nearly as exceptional as it goes. Thank you, Meredith. (Forgive us for the Disney version.)

[@masonallen3961]

I think remaking musicals isn't that crazy an idea. Musicals are constantly revived on Broadway with new actors and new directors. The Music Man is coming back to Broadway next year with Hugh Jackman as Harold Hill (perfect casting). Why is remaking musicals for the screen so odd when they're remade constantly on stage.

[@christinacody5845]

To update, it will be coming in spring 2021.

[@wickedfeylady]

My 7th grade production (I played Zaneeta) had 3 flats against a bare stage and costumes from Goodwill and you know what, we weren't good at all, but we felt more like the real thing than this piece of crap did.

[@jesusrox4u]

Say what ya will about Matthew Broderick, but I thought he did a great job in the Producers movie both with his performances and his singing. The character, from what I understand since I’ve never seen the original film or musical, calls for someone who wants to go for a big dream, but feels a lack of confidence to do so due to the job he has which can crush and dash the dreams and spirits of anyone caught in it. Then he later on over time becomes more confident and sure of himself. Broderick was able to pull that off in general. TL;DR version: Broderick seems better at playing an insecure person who feels down on his luck but who starts to have things change for him than someone who’s supposed to be fast talking and able to get ya to do what he says and convince you it’s a good idea.

[@scarylion1roar]

The '62 version is so memorable and fun. The stylisation is such that I believe Marian would get caught up in the dance number of Madam Librarian, the running gag of the anvil briefcase never gets old, and a rag-tag group of youths march out of the gymnasium as a fully trained marching band. but this version... I know I watched the modern remake when it premiered on tv, but I don't remember any of it except for that it has Kristen Chenoweth and Victor Garber, and even clips from it in this critique (thankfully) don't stay in my brain.

[@emilygracey]

I was wardrobe on one of the most nepotism heavy productions in my life, but it was simultaneously one of the best. Harold was played Patrick Cassidy and he was surprisingly good. His mama was Mrs. Paroo and a good time was had by all ❤

[@dougputhoff]

"Smart Asmodeus!" That's a classic!

[@fermintenava5911]

1:32 Well, it's nice to hear that Disney had this attitude long BEFORE their recent on-slaught of remakes (though this one isn't even their own property :P)

[@jhhone]

Ms Diva, have you done a "The Producers: The Movie Musical" review? If not, you should how could it all have gone so wrong!?!

[@magicamadeye]

Probably because its difficult to say anything against mel brooks and get taken seriously...as he had a large hand in the musical

[@andrewbloom7637]

@@magicamadeye Plus, Susan Stroman, who both directed and choreographed the original stage production of the musical in 2001, also directed the film adaptation in 2005.

[@bsperoz]

16:51 I was just waiting for you to mention that...

[@brianrodney5202]

To be blunt, whilst Robert Preston has charisma to spare - Matthew Broderick has the charisma of a bucket of sand.

[@SBSMusicChannel]

I wanna know your opinion on the recently released 2022 Music Man with Hugh Jackman. Specifically the music. Rick Island is different but still alludes to the 1962 film.

[@Scipio488]

EVEN if I had never heard of this version AND kept the sound off in this video, I would know how crappy it was from the rapid cross-cutting and perspective shifts that step all over the musical's design and are there only to say "LOOK THIS IS A MOVIE AND NOT ON A STAGE."

[@robbiewalker2831]

1:38 - 2:02, 2:13 - 3:16: We'll that's judging between two different rhythms, especially when the latter one has the people trying to be in the same rhythm as the train, but some of them are off.

[@DonFernandez43]

20:04 DONT KNOW THE TERRITORY! That was the perfect joke! You blew it

[@ShanteYouStay]

You've finally helped me figure out why I didn't like Matthew Broderick as Harold Hill. He's just too soft and moist. Also, I love the woman who plays Mrs. Peru. She's so fun to watch! The original is genius and the remake just sorta sucks. I also really enjoyed Kristin Chenowith. Still, the original Rules!!!

[@thema1998]

Rewatching this episode for the first time in over a year renewed my interest in wanting to watch... the 1962 version of "The Music Man" for the first time! 😆

[@hyraxy]

oh man, i was in my high school's production of The Music Man (almost 20 years ago now, yikes) and we all thought that the ending, when the parents were inexplicably fine with the terrible band, was dumb and made no sense. it's only now, all these years later, that i actually get the joke: that's what ALL elementary school bands sound like! XD (and, yeah, the parents are just so proud to see their kid up on stage that they don't care.) ok, that's actually extremely funny, well played meredith wilson

[@MusicalHell]

Yep. My oldest plays trumpet and I can 100% confirm that's what the first concert is like.

[@RedMoonSolitary]

18:20 Kristin Chenoweth is too much of a vocal powerhouse for Matthew Broderick, and this song makes it really obvious. And honestly it goes for acting too. He just looks like he's not into it. Yeah she's just putting in all the work. Lol

[@Day2DayWithMcK]

I've had MANY discussions over The Music Man which, if we were ever to set a musical into a time capsule as a perfect example of musical theater - it would BE The Music Man. The show.. perfection. The original movie.. absolutely wonderful (as wonderful as can be filmed on a sound stage vs a natural setting throughout the whole film). The remake... oh dear Lord! Did we have to remember this one? Truly enjoy Kristen....in nearly anything but this. Not a fan of Ferris Bueller (I know, I know... I'm the only one not absorbed by that film)...and seeing Matthew in this (and this being my only example of his musical work)? I wondered how he would ever make a living on the Broadway stage. I even LIKE Victor Garber... but what was he smoking with this version?? No, No, NO!!!!!! Stay with the original film. The stage performance is wonderful...but no community or high school can perform it like Robert Preston and Shirley Jones (and Barbara Cook in the original cast album even goes her a step better!!) are nearly as exceptional as it goes. Thank you, Meredith. (Forgive us for the Disney version.)

[@MightyMewtron]

Day2DayWithMcK Broderick was in the revival of Sylvia recently. I saw him, he was lifeless.

[@wrenbeck3370]

Ya Got Trouble is really satisfying to hear, what with the portmanteaus and voice.

[@TheNumnutRandomness]

12:04 Well Diva, you know what that say in this post-Twilight era: Stalking is the new romantic!

[@thema1998]

For the first time since March 1, 2020, I'm about to watch this episode. EDITS- 7:23 P.M.: *finishes episode 24 minutes later* It says a lot when *Family Guy* of all things managed to do a better rendition of "Shipoopi"! 7:25 P.M.: Also, NBC has yet to do a live adaptation of The Music Man.

[@brain_apostrophe_t]

Glad I found this channel while looking up Preston's version of the songs

[@colleen4ever]

Oh thank God, when I first saw this I thought you WERE gonna do the original and my first thought was, "What's wrong with the original?" But it's the remake. :)

[@winters_revolt]

I am going to admit that I actually really like Matthew Broderick as an actor and singer, his voice is a bit on the nasal side, but I still think it sounds good, and his voice works with characters who are nervous and calm. But even I agree that he just isn't right for Hill, he doesn't really have a lot of energy, and his voice, while good, doesn't fit the character. He works when he is Leo Bloom because the character is a nervous wreck so his singing voice fits the character. He also works as J. Pierpont because the role requires to be charming, yet manipulative, and his voice has the right tone to portray that kind of character.

[@lyricrogersofficial]

The community theatre I perform with did The Music Man like 3 times (way before I joined!) and still did it better than the Broderick cast!

[@MissCaraMint]

I watched the movie so often as a kid, and my mom sang so many of the songs early into my parents’ marrage that my poor dad can’t stand the songs any more. The final scene however, when Hill first conducts that band has now a different sort of meaning as it reminds her of my brothers and my first conserts.

[@archibaldtuttle8481]

Yup. You nailed it. I agree completely. Excellent and detailed analysis.

[@margueritejohnson6407]

When you said “Do your worst!” They did. Long live the original and to the lower regions of hell for unnecessary remakes!

[@rem.in.wonderland4513]

The only reason why I actually DO like the Broderick and Chenoweth version OF The Music Man, is because it was one of the first musicals I ever saw. Yes, it's faults are PAINFULLY obvious, but it has a special place in my heart, so to speak.

[@kamryngray8978]

The end of your video, I applaud you and know what you mean. If you ever wish to retire, I'm quite a demon myself.

[@fozzieatdetourbillnye5514]

This was actually my introduction to the Music Man which sadly was made the year I lost my grandma. I agree the original is better but I don't know what's the worst this did wrong? It seems like it was made for the reason Merdith wrote this and high schools do it. Because they like multiple versions of it and have fun? At least tell me its made for a better reason than Disney's live action remakes.

[@thatlibrarysmell720]

Okay for a second I thought she was going to review the original movie because I loved it

[@Eviltwin531]

And the sin they committed on "Rock Island" was repeated with "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little." Much like the salesmen mimicking the train, the gossiping ladies were supposed to be imitating chickens (they even cut to a clip of a brood of them to drive the point home:) their feathered hats, their clucking voices, their clipped body language and head movements, even the odd bouncy walk as they stomped away... the ladies in the original really did make you think of chickens. The remake didn't lose it entirely, but they still played it way too straight. Maybe I just love "Pick-a-Little" the way you love "Rock Island."

[@bromodragone8405]

When you played the DeCosta version of "Island Rock", I legit started head bopping along. It's got a nice beat. I can see why you like it.