The Music Man (1962 Film Soundtrack)

This is a great soundtrack, but it is unfortunate that Warner's did not give us more on the CD than the standard LP 44 minutes. For instance, there is extensive dance music in the "76 Trombones", "Marian the Librarian", and the "Shipoopi" numbers that could have been included on the CD, and wasn't. And although I do admire Shirley Jones, and she was a beautiful Marian, Barbara Cook was more believeable in the look of a small-town spinster librarian, and her voice is one of the greatest that the musical world has ever heard. Shirley Jones' singing is pleasant, Barbara Cook's singing is thrilling. But, Barbara Cook had as much a chance of recreating her Broadway role as Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury and Ethel Merman did in "My Fair Lady", "Mame" and "Gypsy". Hollywood has never appreciated true musical talent. But, this is a fun album. Buddy Hackett is a bit hard to take, but Hermione Gingold is a treasure.

"The Music Man" is the most American of all the great American musicals, with a performance by Robert Preston as Professor Harold Hill that arguably ranks as the best of all time. Compare it to the few that come close and decide for yourself: Rex Harrison in "My Fair Lady," Richard Kiley in "The Man of La Mancha," Michael Crawford in "The Phantom of the Opera." THEN think of how rare it is for the Broadway star to actually make it to the Hollywood film version. Preston only got to do the movie because when they offered the part to Cary Grant he told the studio if they did not use Preston not only would Grant not be in the movie, he would not SEE it.

Preston turns in an absolutely perfect performance, made all the more amazing by the fact he was a movie actor who played villains who really could not sing or dance. Although he had some assistance with the story from Franklin Lacey, the credit for "The Music Man" goes to Meredith...Read more

Just like several of the other reviewers, I like the Broadway version of this show just a hair better than the movie soundtrack. However, when I decided to get a "Music Man" CD last month to replace my vinyl Broadway one, I lucked into a great price for the film rendition. Since I do love the movie anyway, the purchase was a no-brainer. Both have Robert Preston, and he is the true essential. I miss "My White Knight" and I love Barbara Cook, and Buddy Hackett can't sing...all true complaints of some other reviewers here. But those are really minor flaws. Buy whatever version YOU can afford, and let Robert Preston and composer Meredith Willson each make you proud to be an American and a music lover.