June 28, 2008
We've got trouble!
Right here in River City! With a capital "T" that rhymes with "P" that stands for pool!
Robert Preston is a revelation in this number from the definitive version of Meredith Wilson's love note to the Iowa of his youth, The Music Man. Has anyone ever become a more convincing flim-flam man?
Wilson's lyrics, delivered with rat-a-tat precision by Preston in a career-defining role, are interesting for their unapologetic use of early 20th-century slang, some of which has survived into the 21st without need of translation. Yeah, sure, it's a sugar-coated view of life in an earlier time, but taken with a grain of salt, it's still a wistful look back at a long-gone time from a man who clearly loved growing up in a small town.
The play has been performed countless times in schools and remains popular today, although only with drama teachers with a fondness for Americana. And, yes, I was a part of the chorus in my school's production back in the early '70s.
Wilson was an interesting lyricist, relying upon rapid-fire delivery and rhythms to carry his songs, even eschewing traditional musical accompaniment, like in this number from the beginning of the film.
With a radiant Shirley Jones as Marian the Librarian (she was pregnant during filming), a cute carrot-topped kid with a speech impediment who went on to become a famous director (and the star of Happy Days, too), and the Barbershop Quartet harmonies of the Buffalo Bills, The Music Man is a terrific family film.
Well worth a rental.
Posted by Mike Lief at June 28, 2008 09:35 AM
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