0WD1J860F8TSPAFZ4SWA0.950708866119385TrueGNew1musicalLargeVideo25526B000067J1Phttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B000067J1P%2526location=/o/ASIN/B000067J1P%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602147http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067J1P.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6044http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067J1P.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg140103http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067J1P.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475349Julie AndrewsChristopher Plummer1.33:1G (General Audience)Robert WiseColorClosed-captionedFrenchDubbedEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 4.1SpanishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 4.1EnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitled1998USD$19.981Pan & ScanDVD12002-08-27175Fox Home Entertainme1965-01-010245430450521339USD$13.391425USD$14.251599USD$15.9940151011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewHZrXJHqLa3uPuqy%2B8fTlqUAitnzMX3rhW5qf%2FTKnXjXb3qK0H0%2FlM4V1MqfkEgynWfcujbZZ2SE%3D1499USD$14.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.534770B000067J1P50A3PWF2AQ5XYALW02005-03-16

A Timeless Classic - 40 Years Of Age - 1965 - 2005

It almost seems like this wonderful musical will last forever. There is great music and great themes. Julie Andrews shone brilliantly in this movie. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when the children start singing for the first time. It is so emotional and brings tears of joy to my eyes time after time. <br /> <br />Musical (Memorial 341/1)B000067J1P52A1Y1IMKX8ZRV4Y32005-03-04

Miraculous, Timeless Musical

The Sound of Music is a movie that rightfully earned so many superlatives from the moment it premièred in 1965 that almost as soon as it came out, people were also creating spoofs, making fun of the movie. Interestingly enough, Julie Andrews, together with Carol Burnett, created a spoof on The Sound of Music in a Carnegie Hall appearance long before she made the film, and she was as spectacular in that performance as she was in The Sound of Music. The film is now a classic, and it has been immortalized now on DVD. <br /> <br />If I have one critique of the home version, it is that a film such as The Sound of Music was created for the wide screen and simply cannot be displayed in all its magnificence on a small screen. In the opening when the audience views the Austrian Alps and sees the spectacular scenery, those views are so breathtaking on the expanses of the big screen but look so miniscule on a television screen and jokingly small on a DVD screen or computer monitor, so my preference remains to see this film on a large screen with surround sound; it preserves the true magnificence of the film as I remember it originally. However, nothing can really ruin this film; even taken in microcosm, the film is still a masterpiece to behold. <br /> <br />Julie Andrews is a natural in the character of the hapless postulate Maria who can never really fit in as a future nun and ends up becoming the governess at the von Trapp estate. Christopher Plummer assumes the role of Captain von Trapp very convincingly. It turns out that the two did not get along so well, and the love song "Something Good" had to be shot in silhouette to hide the fact that they were definitely not amorous with one another in the slightest, but the two play their parts with flair all the way to the end. Eleanor Parker as Baroness von Schrader is a perfect foil to Maria when she shows up for a visit and says, "My dear, is there anything you can't do?" Richard Hayden is charming as the amoral entrepreneur Max Detweiler who books the children into the festival and, ultimately, is responsible for enabling the family to escape from the Nazis. Peggy Wood as the Mother Abbess plays a very small part but gets to sing the immortal Climb Every Mountain that is, in many ways, the turning point for Maria in the film. <br /> <br />The children, of course, get quite a bit of the attention as Maria came to care for them. The critics often commented that it was less than convincing that all the children seemed to get along so well without fighting, without having to go to the bathroom or having a runny nose -- well, somehow things like those DID seem to get left out, but in the span of the movie, just how much were they supposed to include and still get in the entire Rodgers and Hammerstein score? The score is such an impressive part of the movie, and the choreography with the children is so well staged -- don't forget that the children were growing during the film, so it was necessary to make adjustments for the changes in height -- that it's important to appreciate the film's many virtues. Note that in the song Do Re Mi, the song covers many different scenes and locations; a lot could have gone on in the interim! <br /> <br />I always found the performance of Charmian Carr to be rather shallow, so it never surprised me that her career ended with this film; many people argued that an ingenue doesn't need to be able to act, but I always argued that she does if she wants to continue acting! Heather Menzies certainly did, as did Nicholas Hammond and Angela Cartwright; of course, Angela Cartwright was already well known to American audiences from television when she did the film. <br /> <br />So much can be said about the film, but one thing I can say that says it all: you'll definitely enjoy it. It's probably the happiest film ever made, and you'll enjoy watching it throughout. If you are the sort of person who likes being happy and likes watching happy films, this is the film for you. Great music, beautiful scenery, and a happy story with a happy ending. How can you go wrong with that?B000067J1P41A2MO133XUNX28222005-02-27

The Hills Are Alive!!! But not so Pristine...

I used to own the Two - Disc R3 version of this film and decided to get the R1 Digipack release for distinctive packaging and to re-view this classic this coming Xmas (a tradition of some sort). to my surprise, the R1 transfer is the same with R3 release. the only noticeable difference is the transition of menus which in R1 is animated. the audio-video transfer is average for this classic. Read DD4.0 and not so pristine video presentation. <br /> <br />nevertheless, this is an interesting addition to one's collection... a film about challenging traditional family values in a "discomforting" environment.. in a two disc digipak. <br /> <br />still hoping for a better transfer this year...B000067J1P12ATOPY0IJ9Z2UL282005-02-15

The Sound of Mucus

This movie should be called the Sound of Mucus. The only redeeming quality is that the family has to run from nazis. B000067J1P53A6XVZYBRPIFJ42005-02-06

Pure Maigc

The Sound of Music has been one of my favorite musicals since i was a kid well I still kind of am i guess lol (15) Anyway Sound of music is just a great musical the musical numbers r definitley in their own class no other musical can dare even catch them. It's a very happy musical but also very emotional and sad at many parts as you see the characters all go through changes some great (Maria and George being married) but as well terrible changes such as (Liesel losing Rolf so that he may join the Nazis) this is a great musical with so many different angles to watch it from and I suggest you see it many times so you can appreciate it from many different ways.630522577XB0002VEPRQB00000JS6263052807700792839749163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452410628Andrews, Julie409682( A )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452416856Cartwright, Angela416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452426726Hammond, Nicholas426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427348Haydn, Richard426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452432986Lee, Anna432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452433832Lloyd, Doris432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452436972Menzies, Heather434574( M )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452441826Plummer, Christopher440340( P )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452450648Varden, Norma450514( V )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452453160Wood, Peggy451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452453308Wright, Ben451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452463570Wise, Robert463154( W )403502Directors130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452577346Romance163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579548( S )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523908716All Fox Titles90871420th Century Fox Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452908734General908732Musicals90871420th Century Fox Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452908750Rodgers & Hammerstein163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452909812World War II586156Military & War404276Genres130DVD139452911586DVDs Under $15911582Fox DVD Budget Store90871420th Century Fox Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394523CZYHVUAJSRZCMy DVD collection II2QH0GBBUOWSQ6My Favorite Movies3Q7QPRCVNS4ZGTop 25 Movies15PZZONHI77GAaple DVD bhandaar !1K0YGFQ5VBVT0The Sound of Music at Home20QLA0973XZ8BTHE hotnessXE9HP2P21GNEbest movies ever!!!1A37PWUOMCD72cool 80's and other fun moviesF7Y01UZIS2APSocial Conservative's Film Library2JVZYIYD055EGthe best movies in cinema historyB00000JS62http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B00000JS62%2526location=/o/ASIN/B00000JS62%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602202http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JS62.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6039http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JS62.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg14092http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000JS62.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475313Judy GarlandFrank Morgan1.33:1G (General Audience)Richard ThorpeKing VidorVictor Fleming21ColorBlack & WhiteClosed-captionedDolbyEnglishDubbedFrenchDubbedFrenchSubtitledEnglishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.1FrenchOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.11996USD$19.961Academy RatioDVD12004-09-14101Warner Studios1939-08-250125695123201099USD$10.99800USD$8.001199USD$11.9970366011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNew8qFcfeWlSOy58iYZuZcLFxnFqEGUUcrIJjwjWkSqQ7dTX%2BJ4r9ACWQjigZfvjAP13c13wWQJuvs%3D1399USD$13.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.537275B00000JS6250A1PBWQ9PZXWQH102005-02-26

A Timeless Classic

As a child this movie wowed and amazed me just as much as any new 2005 film. That is really saying something when you consider that it was made seventy years ago. It truly is timeless in that it has held up better than any movie ever made. <br /> <br />If you have not seen it, you really should. I am surprised Hollywood has never tried to remake this one. I really hope they never do, because the original is so great.B00000JS6252A142W8NH9SRXS022005-02-01

There's No Place Like Home...

This is a true Hollywood classic. Normally seen as a children's film, it is also a splendid joy for adults, as well. Who can forget the catchphrase "there's no place like home" or some of the songs-"Over the Rainbow," "Ding! Dong! The Witch is Dead" and a few others? <br /> <br />In case you just came to Earth because you lived on Mars for your entire life, the story is about a lonely Kansas girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland-her most famous role)who hits her head in the middle of a tornado. She then has a dream that she is in the magical land of Oz, and tries to get to a Wizard to go home. She ends up making friends with a man out of tin, a lion and a scarecrow all who want things from the Wizard too. There is a witch in the way, however, and things get worse when they get to the Wizard and he wants them to kill the witch. <br /> <br />The movie, made in Hollywood's Golden Year 1939, was one of the first in Technicolor and it is probably the most glorious use of color in a movie I have ever seen. When Dorothy first gets to Oz...it's one of the best moments in movie history. The acting-Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Billie Burke and the biggest assembly of "little people" ever recorded-is great and you have to love some of the "little" characters, the Munchkins especially.B00000JS6254AD39QGHGWAOPQ42005-02-01

It is hiss, it is hiss, it is history!

I have been crazy about this film since I first saw it on TV when I was 5, not long before Jack Haley died in 1979. Twenty-six years later, I still enjoy this film. I could type on & on gushing about it but, instead, I will explain why this DVD edition is the best value for your dollar. It is crammed with extras, some are a tease, but most are fascinating clips, stills, and information about the classic. To the previous reviewer who was so devastated that they colorized the film on this DVD: You must have wonderful memories of that b&w TV you had as a kid, and that's nice. Now for what is important--Here is what the "Follow the Road to OZ" Special Features Menu has to offer: <br /> <br />The "Characters of OZ" was a bit of a disappointment. It does not offer hardly any information about the actors save for their ages at the time. There is nothing about their previous work. This section offers mostly controversial stuff like Shirley Temple's and Buddy Ebsen's relation to the film which will be discussed in the "Making of" documentary offered on this DVD. This section does do an excellent job clearing up the legend around Shirley Temple's possible casting as Dorothy. <br /> <br />The "Emerald City" selection offers tons of stuff. "The Making of" documentary is the one hosted by Angela Lansbury that I have seen on television before. It is very well-down and informative and is nice to have on DVD. You also get theatrical trailers including the "What is OZ?" 1939 teaser. "Outtakes & Deleted Scenes" include the extended Scarecrow dance that did not make the film, Judy Garland singing "Over the Rainbow" in the witch's chamber, "The Jitterbug" home movies and soundtrack and, my favorite, the soundtrack with stills featuring Buddy Ebsen singing "If I Only Had a Heart." A still from the deleted second "Ding Dong..." number has a photo of Bert Lahr with his right arm out of his lion's suit smoking a cigarette. "Behind the Scenes" offers makeup tests, sketches and storyboards, candid clips from Harold Arlen's home movies, Texas contest winners meeting Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Buddy Ebsen, Loew's Cairo Trailer featuring test makeup & costumes and an alternate "Over the Rainbow" clip. What I like about this disc is the background information that is offered to explain the different stills and clips. Some are even humorous, i.e. referring to the Scarecrow's early makeup shots as "Boy George" style. <br /> <br />The "OZ History" section is kind of a tease. It shows very short excerpts from the 1914 & 1925 silents and the 1933 cartoon version of the Wizard of OZ. It would have been nice to see them in their entirety, but we can't have everything, I guess. "OZ Afterlife" has 1979 interviews with Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, and Margaret Hamilton. They are organized rather oddly with all three on the screen at once in their separate squares with the one selected the only one that is audible. 1939 Cavalcade of Academy Awards clips are offered here with Mickey Rooney presenting Judy Garland the juvenile award. The disc also offers audio supplements with the radio show Good News of 1939, radio trailers, and a jukebox as well as more clips and stills from awards presentations. Oh, and besides all this, you also get the film with this disc. OZ fans, buy this disc now "before someone drops a house on you"!B00000JS6251A3UN6WX5RRO2AG42005-01-31

Your off to See the Wizard

Anyone who dosen't like this movie must be crazy.I mean this is one of the most famous movies in history,it's a great family movie,and it has a superb cast of charecters!The cast was absoultly perfect for their charecters.I couln't imagine a better scarecrow,lion,or tinman than Ray Bolger,Bert Lahr,and Jack Haley.The songs are awesome and catchy.You also get to see the wonderful land of Oz.I don't know about you,but I actually wanted to go to the land of Oz after the movie. I just saw this in 2003.I started it on Sunday night and didn't get finished with it that night because I had to go to school the next day.That day dragged on and on because I had to see the end of the movie.Let me say that I was not disappionted.I fell in love with this movie from that moment on.The best charecters in this are Scarecrow and Tinman.I give credit to the Wicked Witch of the West!What amazing acting talents.So if you have not seen this (gasp) buy this and you'll find yourself wishing you could Follow the Yellow Brick Road!B00000JS6250A3N7NOQWH1IK3Q42005-01-28

That guy Scott Hoffman

It really ticks me off royally, when a person like Mr. Hoffman who I think lives in a cave gives this great movie only one star. It makes the whole Wizard of Oz overall rating go down. I have read thousands of reviews on Amazon, and none compare to the sheer anger I get by reading this guy's review. How can he think the whole film was in black and white? ARgggghhh! In fact I read his review several days ago and decided to watch the film again on DVD. I couldn't. Do you know why? I couldn't get the thought of someone being so naive to think its all done in black and white. Truthfully, the guy has actually ruined my enjoyment of the film. I can't watch it anymore without getting very angry at this man. He infuriates me. <br />DescriptionWhen a nasty neighbor tries to have her dog put to sleep, Dorothy takes her dog Toto, to run away. A tornado appears and carries her to the magical land of oz. Wishing to return, she begins to travel to the city of Oz where a great wizard lives.B00005QJEFB000067J1PB0002VEPRQ0792839749B0002V7TZ6163417General163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD1394523003033-6 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD1394523003047-9 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD13945230030510-12 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452300407Adapted from Books163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452413344Blandick, Clara411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452413576Bolger, Ray411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452415030Burke, Billie411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452424460Garland, Judy424172( G )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452425716Grapewin, Charley424172( G )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452426526Haley, Jack426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452426686Hamilton, Margaret426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452432244Lahr, Bert432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452438104Morgan, Frank434574( M )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452445848Sedan, Rolfe444858( S )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452456756Fleming, Victor456580( F )403502Directors130DVD139452462822Thorpe, Richard462650( T )403502Directors130DVD139452463106Vidor, King463048( V )403502Directors130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452572150On the Road300208By Theme163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579556( W )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595062Family Films163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452600324Musicals & Performing Arts515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600330All Titles515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523738464Fantasy163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD1394521038542DVDs Under $15515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394522VCUDBI8SKIUXBEST MOVIES EVER OF ALL TIMEA3R0WOAMMV3BThe 100 Greatest American/British Films (1-25)2E02LD5U1EFEWStart your collection with these3T48IOC830EUIMovies I Grew Up Watching Part 33QQ70BN96Q7G~!My Current Favorite Movies!~M7BQS6XQG90SThe Best Movies Ever139L1TZK4MNGYTen Greatest Hollywood Musicals (in no particular order)1H28GHTV0ZNT9My Favourite Musicals3Q5S21O4YIHXAAFI American Film Institute 100 greatest American movies (1)2OEGJE52C5EPUmost critically acclaimed films - part 2630522577Xhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=630522577X%2526location=/o/ASIN/630522577X%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602158http://images.amazon.com/images/P/630522577X.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6043http://images.amazon.com/images/P/630522577X.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg140100http://images.amazon.com/images/P/630522577X.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg500357Audrey HepburnRex Harrison2.20:1G (General Audience)George Cukor21ColorClosed-captionedWidescreenEnglishDubbedFrenchDubbedFrenchSubtitledEnglishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.1FrenchOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.11998USD$19.981Anamorphic WidescreenDVD11998-12-08170Warner Studios1964-12-25085391666820992USD$9.921025USD$10.252989USD$29.8962291011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewfkXYfa%2Bf7FL23%2FL39NcaQsJFiBW1bR3AndUqjDgVw4x%2Bk4t8AphZ4td4uboGyJA9%2F71O7dWg0Hk%3D1099USD$10.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.517836630522577X50A1ZCYC0RHTRMZF12005-03-12

How kind of you to let me come

Just you wait 'Enry 'Iggins and wouldn't it be loverly. While linguistic experts/deconstructionists criticize the transformation of Eliza, preferring her Cockney dialect to anything in the patriarchal hegemony, we yell, "It's just a movie!" <br /> <br />For goodness' sake, MFL is the forerunner of every reality makeover show out there, with a more worthy more than skin deep message. "The difference between a lady and a flower girl is how she's treated," explains Eliza to Professor Higgins' mother. <br /> <br />Audrey Hepburn is fabulous, Rex Harrison (who Helen Gurley Brown describes as a pill in I'M WILD AGAIN) is suitably stuffy, softening ("I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face"). Although Eliza's reciting of vowels into a recorder may seem a little Stepford Wives-ish, Eliza is actually feminist. <br /> <br />Interestingly, Eliza's father's pre-wedding song showed up in Season 3 of "Roswell."630522577X31A13E0ARAXI6KJW22005-03-11

Classic Songs Cannot Quite Offset Cukor's Stagey Adaptation

Of all the films on Audrey Hepburn's impressive resume, I have to admit this 1964 multiple Oscar winner may be the most disappointing, though ironically it is probably her most famous role. Veteran women's director George Cukor seems to have made an irreparable error in filming the Cinderella-style story in such a stage-bound and often stilted manner, obviously to reflect more accurately the then-revered Broadway version. What is missing is true cinematic invention in telling a most enchanting story with interesting questions raised around the power of personal transformation. <br /> <br />What remains true, however, is the fact that composer Frederic Lowe and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner (who wrote the screenplay) have fashioned the quintessential Broadway musical by turning George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" into a frothy ugly duckling tale filled with some of the best known show tunes ever: "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?", "The Rain in Spain", "I Could Have Danced All Night", "On the Street Where You Live", "I'm Getting Married in the Morning", "With a Little Bit of Luck", "Show Me" and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." As if you don't know already, the songs interweave through a story that follows the evolution of a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is trained by Professor Henry Higgins, a misogynistic linguistics expert and confirmed bachelor, to speak properly within six months, the result of a challenge and bet with the dotty Colonel Pickering. Lengthy elocution lessons follow, interrupted by her mercenary drunk of a father and a persistent, love-struck swain. Eliza makes an eye-catching though ultimately embarrassing first appearance at the opening day Ascot Races, but triumphs among the bluebloods at the climactic Embassy Ball. Inevitably, Higgins becomes smitten with his transformed pupil, who returns to him only after proving her personal liberation. <br /> <br />Visually, despite Cecil Beaton's extravagant costumes and Gene Allen's detailed art direction, there is a persistent lethargy captured on screen perhaps because the camera set-ups feel so static. Hepburn seems to enjoy playing the guttersnipe, though her lowbrow manner never feels very authentic perhaps because of our predisposition to the carefully groomed actress already a dozen years into her career at that point. Even though she seems a mite mature for the role, she looks stunning after her aural breakthrough, especially in her elaborate Ascot dress and hat. Her lip-synching to Marni Nixon's vocals is a problem though not because she is not doing her own singing but because of the sometimes jarring disparity between her throaty speaking voice and the soprano singing voice coming out of her. Rex Harrison plays Higgins as the role he was born to play and certainly convinces as a demanding linguist. He seems less assured as a romantic lead, and consequently we are rather indifferent at the end to his romantic fate with Eliza. For all its flaws, however, the movie does manage to convey the musicality of the stage version effectively. I just wish the rest of the movie was up to the level of the score. <br /> <br />The two-disc set is a great package for aficionados. The second disc includes an excellent making-of documentary made in 1994 and hosted by Jeremy Brett, who plays Eliza's unfulfilled suitor, Freddy, in the movie, as well as alternate takes which use Hepburn's true vocals on "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" and "Show Me" (she's quite good but obviously not trained enough for the other more demanding songs).630522577X41A1Y1IMKX8ZRV4Y22005-03-08

A Marvelous Musical, but Needs an Audience to Really Live

My Fair Lady is a musical that will live forever without a doubt and the movie version, despite the scandal that it caused in 1964 because Jack Warner cast Audrey Hepburn in the role of Eliza Doolittle instead of Julie Andrews, is still one of the finest musicals ever made. Hollywood was incredibly petty about that issue. Julie Andrews received Best Actress for her role in Mary Poppins that year, and Audrey Hepburn wasn't even mentioned, a nasty slap in the face when she was charming in the role. Today people watching the film would never believe such nonsense; the film is so enchanting nobody could believe such trash could have taken place. The musical took the best of Broadway, brought it to the screen with an amazing success -- shame on the people who tried to bring shame on such a great work! <br /> <br />The Lerner-Loewe score is classic and won the hearts of the world easily when the show premièred years ago. Even today, the music serenades listeners with the same charm. Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) meets with Colonel Pickering (Wilfred Hyde-White), by accident the same night he meets the very unkempt and raucous flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn), whose coarse manner and poor English doom her to a life of poverty and gloom. When he boasts that he could teach her and pass her off as someone in a higher class, he never realizes that she might actually be listening to him, but listen she does, and to his astonishment, she shows up at his home, intending to pay "not more than a shilling, take it or leave it" to learn her own language. Pickering, hearing that someone has actually taken Higgings up on his dare, agrees to fund the lessons to watch and see if it will work or fail. <br /> <br />What follows could be considered a comedy of errors or disasters, depending on how you look at it. Eliza finds herself working a lot harder than she ever dreamed, and suddenly she has to do things she never did before, like take a bath every day in hot water. Before long, her father shows up (Stanley Holloway), and in comes the culture clash of the Cockneys and the middle class, a classic British study in social conflict. Higgins can't resist meddling and writes off to a philanthropist, telling of "an original moralist, one Alfred P. Doolittle," and thus lights the fuse to a time bomb. Of course, Alfred Doolittle is all too ready to part with his daughter, provided he gets some money for drinking as part of the deal -- so much for his "original morals"! <br /> <br />Then one evening, it happens. Eliza has her breakthrough. She actually makes it. Her English is intact. Everyone celebrates in the paean to "The Rain in Spain." Delirious with joy, they plan an event at Ascot to try out her wings. The only problem is that while she speaks like a lady, she has not yet mastered BEING a lady yet, not to the extent that is required at Ascot. However, with more work, more effort, and more polish, ultimately she does make it at a ball at which she convinces everyone that she is a princess. <br /> <br />The success is complete -- but what now? Eliza has convinced everyone that she is royalty, but where does she go? What does she do? Higgins has won his bet. Everyone is busy congratulating him. Meanwhile, she cannot go back to the life she had. She cannot be what she once was. She is lost, and now she is angry that she has been made into nothing. She decides to leave and goes to the home of Higgins' mother (Gladys Cooper) to seek asylum. It is there that she finally declares her independence in the song "Without You." It is only then that Henry Higgins realizes that Eliza has come to mean more to him than just a student, that she has somehow become someone dear in his life, as he expresses in the song "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." <br /> <br />The musical, unlike the original play upon it was based, actually becomes a strange sort of love story in which both Higgins and Eliza do admit a bond between themselves and remain together. Something about the lyric quality of the musical has made it a timeless classic. Now that it has been preserved on DVD, there is no doubt in my mind that it will remain so. <br /> <br />So why do I give it four stars and not five? Because as you will notice when viewing it, there are many parts of the musical that need an audience's reaction to be complete. A perfect example is the scene at the race at Ascot. When Eliza shouts at the race, without the entire audience's reaction, the scene comes across as tepid compared to when there is a full audience; the audience's laughter is almost part of the script. Another such place is when Alfred P. Doolittle enters and laughs; the look on Henry Higgins face when he smells the alcohol on his breath always generates a guffaw from a large audience, but when a person watches it alone, such a moment can slip by almost unnoticed. So much of the script seems to include audience reaction that My Fair Lady seems to be best viewed with a large group of people admiring it together. The greatness of the musical cannot be diminished, no matter what, but when you view these scenes, you'll have to admit that it would be different with a large audience laughing. <br /> <br />When the film was originally made, Audrey Hepburn fully expected to sing the entire part herself, but later most of her role was dubbed by Marni Nixon. This decision came as a surprise to her, and not entirely a pleasant one. In the song "Just You Wait," she does sing the opening of the song herself, but the middle part where the more lyrical strain is heard, the dubbing is very obvious. An astute listener can tell when she is singing and when Marni Nixon is singing; she does take credit for at least part of the singing role in the film.630522577X52A1JWWJ9013GXWJ32005-01-09

Not major complaints, by any means, but...

I have to wonder what happened to the longer Academy Awards show footage that was on the Special Edition laser disc. <br /> <br />(This excellent, new, two-disc DVD edition of MY FAIR LADY is, essentially, a reproduction of a big, expensive laser disc box set that came out in 1994.) <br /> <br />That set featured several minutes of extra footage from the Oscar show (Joan Crawford presenting George Cukor the Best Director Award, and Cukor's acceptance speech; Audrey Hepburn giving the Best Actor Award to Rex Harrison, and Harrison's gracious acceptance; Gregory Peck giving out the Best Picture Oscar to Jack L. Warner). All that shows up on this new Special Edition DVD is Warner's brief words of thanks upon receiving his award. <br /> <br />Also, three sequences on the Special Features disc (the Hollywood premiere footage, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Martin Scorsese bonus interviews) include a rather distracting time counter in the upper left hand corner of the screen, that runs through out the sequences (at least on my copy). The very same footage on the laser disc was (mercifully) free of this annoyance. 630522577X51A26OR9VFY3J8CT22005-01-06

I had such a fun time with this! Make some more!

What ever happen to the days when high quality movies were also really fun (Singing in the Rain, Some Like it Hot, The West Side Story)? Please, Hollywood, make more movies like this! This is my second favorite musical (after West Side Story).This movie had top production, great songs, and great acting (especially Rex Harrison). Recently movies like Moulin Rouge! And Chicago has given musicals an awakening. However, we need more! Directors can turn to movies like this and the ones I mentioned above for inspiration, because these movies were created to give the best entertainment for a short period (while doing it with a lot of style). Moreover, they are still cherished today, so there is an audience out there for these types of films. Watch "My Fair Lady" for the intelligence and style that was put into movies a while ago. I really recommend it.Amazon.com essential videoHollywood's legendary "woman's director," George Cukor (<i>The Women</i>, <i>The Philadelphia Story</i>), transformed Audrey Hepburn into street-urchin-turned-proper-lady Eliza Doolittle in this film version of the Lerner and Loewe musical. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play <i>Pygmalion</i>, <i>My Fair Lady</i> stars Rex Harrison as linguist Henry Higgins (Harrison also played the role, opposite Julie Andrews, on stage), who draws Eliza into a social experiment that works almost too well. The letterbox edition of this film on video certainly pays tribute to the pageantry of Cukor's set, but it also underscores a certain visual stiffness that can slow viewer enthusiasm just a tad. But it's really star wattage that keeps this film exciting, that and such great songs as "On the Street Where You Live" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." Actor Jeremy Brett, who gained a huge following later in life portraying Sherlock Holmes, is quite electric as Eliza's determined suitor. <i>--Tom Keogh</i> B000067J1P6305280770B00005N7YZB00000F14BB00006DEF9163390General163379Drama404276Genres130DVD139452163417General163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD1394523003047-9 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD13945230030510-12 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452300407Adapted from Books163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452413058Bikel, Theodore411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452414274Brett, Jeremy411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452418606Cooper, Gladys416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452419754Daniell, Henry419544( D )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452422128Elsom, Isobel421742( E )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427080Harrison, Rex426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427732Hepburn, Audrey426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452428316Holloway, Stanley426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452438818Napier, Alan438726( N )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452451646Washbourne, Mona451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452452336White, Wilfrid Hyde451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452455936Cukor, George455278( C )403502Directors130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577342Comedy163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452577346Romance163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579536( M )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595062Family Films163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452600324Musicals & Performing Arts515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600330All Titles515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600334Classics515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores2655231038542DVDs Under $15515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD13945226OZQK73T4LBJMy Favorite Oscar "Best Pictures"382A1LMZP4SHTMy Favorite MusicalsR4V8D996MK0XMusicals I've seen3MLMG7KQSAG2425 Best Movies (not listed in order of prefence)13OJ7068L2QVD"Best play adaptations on screen"2582FVSNTJ5DWMost Spectacular Reel Journeys in Time, Space and FantasyW2Y2YVKGG012My Favorite Movies - Musicals37RI1YAFAEAZGmusicals for non-musical peopleTOK31K33BZ83my favorite moviesFIFVL0V4JZM1Various Movie ClassicsB00005N7YZhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B00005N7YZ%2526location=/o/ASIN/B00005N7YZ%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602212http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N7YZ.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6042http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N7YZ.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg14098http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005N7YZ.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475332TopolNorma Crane2.35:1G (General Audience)Norman JewisonColorClosed-captionedWidescreenDolbyFrenchSubtitledEnglishDubbedEnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.11998USD$19.981Anamorphic WidescreenDVD12001-10-02179MGM/UA Video1971-11-030276168676741364USD$13.641200USD$12.001599USD$15.9957264011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewCgQ1gcFEB20RBNT8jyn1Cyz541n7X%2Bv7qp9MddT%2BdZqNfpzPqlfEQXbjVUiDliWds6a0fRW2fb0%3D1499USD$14.99Usually ships in 24 hours5.09820B00005N7YZ50AP50P603W4BA702005-03-11

Timeless magic

Tevye (played brilliantly by Topol) is a poor Russian trying to keep house for his wife and five daughters. Life plods on in daily grind until the day he tries to arrange a marriage for his oldest daughter only to find she has promised to marry a local tailor. This goes against everything he believes in and his struggle to come to terms with the changes around him is both hilarious and poignant to watch. I'd defy any parent not to get emotional when watching 'Sunrise Sunset' being sung at the wedding. <br />When daughter number two decides to follow the poor student she loves to his exile in Siberia, Tevye is still upset but more philosophical than previously. However, daughter number three, the apple of his eye, has chosen to marry a Gentile, to turn her back on the Jewish faith. His torment is palpable as he tries to reconcile his beliefs with his love for his daughter. <br />Set during the time of the Russian Pogroms, where Jews were being driven from their homes and into exile, this is at times a very sad film. However, for the greater part of the film, Tevye's exuberance is infectious and the music is wonderful, such songs as 'If I were a Rich Man', 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker', 'Wonder of Wonders', have you tapping your feet. <br />One of the best musicals ever made. Highly recommended. <br /> <br />B00005N7YZ50A22QCKATL4N6JS02005-03-09

I loved it!

This, by far, is my favorite movie. It has absolutely everything in it. <br />The story is very realistic, and that makes it enjoyable. I have to say also that the actors are very well-cast. <br /> <br />This movie is jam-packed with one-line humor. It's hilarious! <br />From mock fights with his wife..."You can die from such a man." to blaming God for crippling his horse.."oh, that wasn't nice. It's enough You pick on me...bless me with 5 daughters, a life of poverty..that's all right! But what have you got against my horse?" <br />I love this movie and I highly recommend it.B00005N7YZ53A209KKOAKBQF2Z32005-01-12

Cinematic Fabulism

What the cast and crew of Fiddler on the Roof have achieved is breathtaking. They've taken the literary concept of magical realism and translated it into the language of cinema. The events and characters are exaggerated, the songs are almost overly grandiose, but all this does is to emphasize the emotional and psychological truths at this great film's heart. By transmuting all the conscious and subconscious greed, anxiety, sadness, and joy of the characters into song-and-dance numbers, the film enshrines those emotions and ideas that comprise the human mind, and, more than that, the soul.B00005N7YZ55AUCFVHFTVNV3I62004-12-05

On the other hand...

This is such a great movie in so many ways. I only consider a movie to be good if it makes me cry my eyes out. And I am not talking about just sadness. A movie has to reach into my heart and deeply move my emotions in some profound way. <br /> <br />Needless to say, this movie does. It makes you think about life on so many levels. It also addresses the deepest love that anybody ever has... I am talking about the love a parent has for their children. <br /> <br />It has always amazed me how Hollywood makes so many movies about romantic love, which is so much weaker than the love a parent has for their children.If they really want to make good movies, they should focus on the parent-child <br />relationship. <br /> <br />To top it off, this movie inspired me to love God more. Tevya talks to God like a friend, and he really inspired me to love God as my friend and talk to Him kind of like Tevya. What more could you ask for in a movie?B00005N7YZ57A5WMBIOGE8Q6N72004-11-22

The fiddler foreshadows the change

The musical scenes span generations of enjoyment. Tevye (Topol), the community milkman is plagued with bad luck. Tevye's horse has gone lame leaving Tevye too pull the milk cart. This musical is filled with humor, song, and tears. <br /> <br />Tevye wants to be a rich man, pleading with the Lord too give him some of the wealth as he carries on a humorous and reflective dialog with God. The community is constant hear about bad news but doesn't want to listen letting bad news fall on itself. <br /> <br />The Sabboth worship is touching, powerful, and moving as they pray and sing. As well as the beautiful music and dance delivered during the marriage (Sunrise and Sunset). <br /> <br />The marriage between the Tailor and Tevye's oldest daughter is deeply symbolic of the unbreakable marriage agreement. Tevye's creative explanation to his wife about their ancestors haunting them because of the agreement between the Butcher and the daughter was great. Also, the verbal fight between the Butcher and Tevye is absolutely hilarious. The likable nature of Tevye and his celebration of life draws the view counter position as anti-semitic decree of ostracism is announced by the constable friend who has know Tevye all his life. <br /> <br />The persecution of the Jewish communities leaves the viewer wonder, "why?" The Jewish community seems so happy and their isolation perfect. Tevye decides not to fight the order to leave in three days and packs his possession for departure to America. Tevye mentions that perhaps that why they wear a hat on their head because they want to be ready to leave and plan not to stay in one place too long. <br /> <br />Tevye must struggle with tradition and change. What is love? Tevye inquires of his wife, if she loves him. She is uncomfortable by the question telling Tevye she was bore him children, lived with him twenty five years, and cooked for him; she must love him. Tevye reassures himself that tradition work out best for him in matters of love because they grew too love each other. <br /> <br />Tevye is able to accept breaks from tradition such as marriage without a match maker, men and women dancing together, but initially is unable to accept a gentile marriage of his daughter whom he originally disowns. Tevye tradition anchors deeply in his stubbornness to accept his last daughter's marriage. However, Tevye love for his daughter prevails in the scene where she comes to wish them farewell as they leave for America. Tevye tells her "Go with God". Tradition and God deeply tied together linking them together. <br /> <br />The fiddler foreshadows the change of the Jewish people and highlights the irony of life. Tevye finds the Fiddlers irony friendly and the realities of life endurable. <br />630522577XB000067J1PB0000AM6IYB00000F14B6305280770163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452291293Jewish Heritage291236By Theme163379Drama404276Genres130DVD139452419032Crane, Norma416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452420428Dennen, Barry419544( D )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452420876Dobtcheff, Vernon419544( D )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452423978Frey, Leonard422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452425128Glaser, Paul Michael424172( G )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427050Harris, Rosalind426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452441600Picon, Molly440340( P )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452449808Topol448792( T )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452458248Jewison, Norman458164( J )403502Directors130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579522( F )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595276All MGM Titles468384MGM Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523919296Special Editions295214Fully Loaded DVDs408328Special Features130DVD1394522UXWVBA980GPWThe Best DVD Audio Commentaries [In No Perticular Order]R4V8D996MK0XMusicals I've seenY8AD3HQO9GQXBEST MUSICALS OF ALL TIMER6C7BDTXN2QHClassics Of 1971 (Part 1)2OWRIF4R62FEUFavorite Movie Musicals!1X4VANCHUUFQ4movies i want to see15E2XSZPIJ04YMy list of best (and worst) musicals2JVZYIYD055EGthe best movies in cinema history3HER54MREQF1Lthe golden era of musicalsPFYVRPYDAR8Kthe superb 70's part 2B00000F14Bhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B00000F14B%2526location=/o/ASIN/B00000F14B%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602266http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000F14B.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6044http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000F14B.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg140103http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000F14B.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg500369Robert PrestonShirley Jones2.20:1G (General Audience)Morton DaCosta21ColorClosed-captionedDolbyWidescreenEnglishDubbedFrenchSubtitledEnglishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.11997USD$19.971Anamorphic WidescreenDVD12004-06-01151Warner Studios1962-06-190853916768291090USD$10.901111USD$11.111599USD$15.9954284011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNew%2BswCzV50NFyUnu7kAIVq6KqmCvhASwNI5%2BPYMP%2B8qVuNHIZC2XOvcnCITAFMtn%2FNFAhX5v2u16I%3D1099USD$10.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.511924B00000F14B52A2AP040QO3RGYN22005-01-02

A True Classic

Meridith Willson's gentle musical about his native state in the early 20th century is beautifully committed to film. Robert Preston, Paul Ford, and Hermione Gingold -- scene stealers all, and what a chemistry they brought to this wonderful film. Shirley Jones as Marian, Pert Kelton reprising her Broadway role as Widow Paroo, and Ron Howard as Winthrop, all fit into their characters as though they were them. <br /> <br />The very funny malapropisms of Paul Ford, the "not on yer tin type, girly girl!" of Harry Hickox, and Buddy Hackett add so much more humor to an already funny book. But my favorite has to be the "Pick a Little, Talk a Little" ladies. What a stitch!! <br /> <br />While I've seen numerous stage productions, and Matthew Broderick's excellent "Professor Hill" on TV, Robert Preston will always be my Music Man. <br /> <br />This is a keeper.B00000F14B56A2GPEV42IO41CI62004-09-26

Shirley Jones as Marian....Madame Librarian

This good old-fashioned, stand-up-and-cheer musical stars Shirley Jones as Marian, an Iowa spinster librarian and piano teacher in the early 1900s. Her whole town is turned upside down with the arrival of the flashy "Music Man" - salesman Harold Hill (Robert Preston,) who sells band instruments and uniforms; tiny Ronny Howard, as Marian's brother, overcomes his shyness with his new coronet. Despite her best intentions, stiff Miss Marian falls in love with the slick, fast talking con artist. He's smitten, too, and the whole town celebrates in song. <br /> <br />Shirley Jones was never lovelier and has a beautiful voice in songs like Til There Was You and Goodnight, My Someone. Robert Preston makes a memorable flim-flam man with a heart of gold, and his big song, "Trouble in River City," is a show-stopper. Paul Ford and Hermione Gingold almost steal the show as the very funny mayor and his wife. <br /> <br />The film is a beautifully filmed celebration of Americana, and you just have to love a musical that can find a rhyme for "librarian"! This is splashy, feel-good, wholesome entertainment you'll enjoy over and over again.B00000F14B52A1UFARU1PZAX6V22004-07-05

Among top musicals of all times

I don't remember how many times I have watched this movie, including the remake with Matthew Broderick. Robert Preston is the one and only Music Man, hands down. No one will remember any other movies he did, except may be for Victor Victoria, for which he actually won an Oscar. Joyous music, and wonderfully innocent story. Enough said.B00000F14B43AEGR40GALMDJ4112004-05-07

A Standout but definately not a "masterpiece"

Before I complain I liked the Music Man. It is one of the most light hearted and charming movies I have ever seen and it does have good music. In the days of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music, somewhere in their is The Music Man. It failed to be better than all the films I have mentioned above. It was more slapstick and mediocre, and somewhat reminded me of some of the musicals MGM did in the 30s and 40s. All the performances were average but not something to hand out an Oscar for. Robert Preston, Ronnie Howard, and Shirley Jones did well. All in all it is enjoyable and very likeable, but it just did live up to the other film musicals of the 1960s. I do reccomend this film.B00000F14B12A2UTVHF2NLXKUV522004-02-24

Renee from Florida

The Music Man was not at all what I expected. I bought it for a family movie night, we love musicals usually. This was so boring you could barely make it through it. Actually, I made myself finish it because i spent money on it. I will be tossing it or passing it on. If anyone's interested, it's going cheap!Amazon.com essential video<I>The Music Man</I> was one of the last great movie musicals from any studio, and it proved to be that rarest of events: a Broadway show that was measurably improved by its transition to the screen. Robert Preston made his musical debut--both live and on film--as "Professor" Harold Hill, the upbeat charlatan who promises to teach a small-town boys band by the "think system." But it's the part Preston was born to play and the one for which he will always be best remembered. Composer Meredith Willson based <I>The Music Man</I> on his own small-town Midwestern boyhood, circa 1912, a quasi-mythical place where the old-maid librarian looks and sings like Shirley Jones. The boy himself is an adorable Ron Howard, lisp-singing "Gary, Indiana." Willson's entire score, featuring a combination of what are now standards, such as "Goodnight My Someone" and "Till There Was You" and show-specific numbers ("Trouble," "76 Trombones"), is never less than infectious. This dazzling special edition is also as bright and sunny as any 4th of July in Iowa could ever hope to be. <I>--Robert Windeler</I>DescriptionLet 76 trombones lead the big parade from the Great White Way into your home. It's the Music Man, the screen version of one of Broadway's all-time blockbusters, a skyburst of Americana as irresistible as 4th of July fireworks. Robert Preston and Shirley J Year: 1962630522577X6305320802B00006DEF96305280770B00005N7YZ163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD1394523003033-6 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD1394523003047-9 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD13945230030510-12 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452300407Adapted from Books163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452423490Ford, Paul422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452425044Gingold, Hermione424172( G )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452426396Hackett, Buddy426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452428658Howard, Ron426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452430276Jones, Shirley429340( J )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452432446Lane, Charles432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452442206Preston, Robert440340( P )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452452420Wickes, Mary451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577342Comedy163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452577346Romance163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579536( M )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595062Family Films163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452600324Musicals & Performing Arts515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600330All Titles515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523919296Special Editions295214Fully Loaded DVDs408328Special Features130DVD1394521038542DVDs Under $15515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394523N198EY46RQPE1962: The Year In Film (Part 1)W2Y2YVKGG012My Favorite Movies - Musicals3KMYVGDKP25OAMy Personal Favorites1A37PWUOMCD72cool 80's and other fun moviesZ6EZRW4NTGXZMusic Mania2PXGVEHPDTM9Current Top 25 All-Time Favorite Films1DHM1BIQI7YU6Best DVDs15RDXJ69E93KLRemember These?1ISCBZHCR5FNALighter Fare with Historical Backdrops1YQG7A9LK1ULVHost a Charles Lane Festival0792839749http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=0792839749%2526location=/o/ASIN/0792839749%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602398http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0792839749.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6041http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0792839749.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg14097http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0792839749.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475329Dick Van DykeSally Ann HowesLionel JeffriesBenny Hill1.33:1G (General Audience)Ken Hughes21Full ScreenClosed-captionedTHXEnglishDubbedFrenchSubtitledEnglishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.1FrenchOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.11495USD$14.951Pan & ScanDVD12002-07-30145Mgm/Ua Studios1968-12-18027616703224607USD$6.07799USD$7.991099USD$10.9957395011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewRLLvBXDwrrRyn6wkMKODtisIwnRILzzJQNLXKKL4P%2BWrdzhk%2BMRddQRZeVk%2BXhOhonN8O2kbB7I%3D1121USD$11.21Usually ships in 24 hours3.512525079283974950A1Z54EM24Y40LL02005-02-23

Great movie, just as I remembered

If you're just looking for a really neat movie to share with your kids, maybe one that you saw as a kid, then this is it. I saw this in the theater as a child and never forgot it. Just to see that car fly is something to a kid, especially when it lands on the water. When the king of Bulgaria (?) wants to steal it, all the mayhem breaks out and it's just plain funny. If you've ever wondered if Dick van Dyke is really a noodle, then this movie should settle that question once and for all. Yes he is! That bit where he dances like a doll is nothing short of amazing. Of course, Sally Ann Howes has a gorgeous singing voice and it's just worth it to hear her sing. The imagination that this movie has is just remarkable, especially with the child snatcher and the doll scene. And, how van Dyke goes about getting his children back. Of course, the car saves the day and he gets the girl in the end. Don't let the beginning surprise you, however. If you're buying this for young children, you'll need to spend the time explaining what's going on in the beginning. It's the car's story - how it was a wonderful race car until it was wrecked and caught fire during a race, trying to avoid hitting a child. It's a very good movie, one for a family movie night and one that your children will always remember.079283974941A3QVI57VT1VGRO22005-01-17

A bit better than a Mary Poppins wanna-be; cynics stay away!

This film followed the recipe of the highly successful Mary Poppins, including the same songwriters (the Shermans) and the same cast (Dick Van Dyke). Although it's a fun film, it does not really measure up to its prototype. <br /> <br />The film has Disney-fied the charmingly eccentric family of Caractacus Potts, a wacky inventor who lives in a dilapidated windmill. In the book (believe it or not, by Ian Fleming, the writer of the James Bond books), Caractacus is truly and humorously eccentric, but Dick Van Dyke as Potts plays the part pretty much as as a Wonderbread romantic lead: all Caractacus' odd behaviors are pretty much erased, and with it a lot of the fun of the book. In 1968 I wanted to be his love interest, Miss Truly Scrumptious, an heiress with both a spunky attitude and lovely clothes, but in 2004 I wish she's been given more to do. <br /> <br />Finally, there is such a thing as a song being TOO singable - the title song - the heroine's song "Truly Scrumptious" - are so melodic they are unforgettable, although you are likely to wish you could get them out of your head. <br /> <br />I remember really liking this one when I was a kid, although it does not hold up as well as Mary Poppins herself. Nevertheless, watching it with small children was an entertaining evening at home. <br />079283974941A37XXL0C9PX99432004-12-17

The Grandkids (3 & 5) seemed to like it a lot

I bought the "cheap" DVD, because little kids don't care about wide-screen or interviews or extras. They like color, action, interesting characters, and lively songs. The next day, the girl (5) asked me to play specific scenes: the song "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and the "dancing dolls" routine. She even liked the name "Truly Scrumptious". The only problem with small children is "Why ..." and "How ..." every few minutes. I wasn't sure at first if the adventures in Vulgaria were part of the fantasy story or "real", so I just kept saying, "It's magic". Later, we pretended my Outback could float and fly. <br /> <br />As for me? I'm a big fan of Dick Van Dyke, so I kind of enjoyed it -- and having never watched films on DVD until recently, I guess I liked the color, action, interesting characters, and lively songs. How about that?079283974950A2ZA4YLOXQPFRY02004-11-10

I highly recomend it!

I love this movie! It is great!. the colors are very vivid and has great music! good sound!079283974956AOZ80EILRHVUJ172004-10-08

Brilliant Icarian Musical

Heralded as a family favorite upon its release, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" delivers the appropriate subliminal musical tone that draws and cements the images of Icarus into the minds of children. This film could very well prevent Guajardian visions in the budding minds of children, who will no doubt grow up with shocking and pessimistic myths and legends in various comparative literature classes. <br /> <br />This film takes the myth of the flight of Icarus, but demolishes the bummer quotient. Dick Van Dyke, in control of the industrial age wings-of-wax, instead rides toward the sun without fear of CCBB's tires melting; and even if they do, the joke is on the sun, because you don't need wheels to fly! And when the family floating in the car sings about how much they love their artisan miracle, the flawed Icarus tale finally has the merry ending that the masses have, for centuries, cried out for!Amazon.comThis remastered, pan-and-scan 30th-anniversary edition of that kiddie-car caper is flawed but solid family fare. It retains a quaint charm while some of the songs--including the title tune--are quite hummable. A huge plus is Dick Van Dyke, who is extremely appealing as an eccentric inventor around the turn of the century. With nimble fingers and a unique way of looking at the world, he invents for his children a magic car that floats and flies. Or does he? The special effects are tame by today's standards, and the film is about 20 minutes too long--but its enthusiasm charms. The script was cowritten by Roald Dahl and based on the novel by Ian Fleming, best known for his James Bond adventures. <I>--Rochelle O'Gorman</I> B0002VEPRQB00005QJEFB00004R9A4B000067J1PB00000JS62163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD1394523003033-6 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD1394523003047-9 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD13945230030510-12 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452300407Adapted from Books163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452301150Music & Arts163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452410940Arne, Peter409682( A )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427590Helpmann, Robert426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452427974Hill, Benny426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452428690Howes, Sally Ann426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452429758Jeffries, Lionel429340( J )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452430462Justice, James Robertson429340( J )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452433820Llewelyn, Desmond432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452458016Hughes, Ken403504( H )403502Directors130DVD139452524758General163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579516( C )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595062Family Films163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452595276All MGM Titles468384MGM Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523735694Daring Rescues292669By Theme163431Science Fiction & Fantasy404276Genres130DVD139452735700Heroic Missions292669By Theme163431Science Fiction & Fantasy404276Genres130DVD139452882766All Deals409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452883766All Deals734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523R4V8D996MK0XMusicals I've seenY8AD3HQO9GQXBEST MUSICALS OF ALL TIME312S0LBSU6QRR"Movies you can't tell the Guys you love"11BG959D9NGLJBest movies I've seenZ6EZRW4NTGXZMusic Mania1B1OXNDSX1SYMy Dvd collection!(PART1)3IOISZG8PHCB1My picks for the best movies ever!! (Part 2)Q6XIZKZFPV2NGreat MusicalsPJHE46QSJPYAThis and That Mix1RK4K9R6YUE2XLonita's Loves - FilmB0007939M0http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B0007939M0%2526location=/o/ASIN/B0007939M0%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602277http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007939M0.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg7562http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007939M0.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg160133http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0007939M0.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg500416Fred AstairePetula ClarkG (General Audience)Francis Ford CoppolaColorClosed-captionedWidescreenEnglishDubbedFrenchDubbedEnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitledFrenchSubtitled1997USD$19.971DVD2005-03-15145Warner Home Video1968-10-090853911208271298USD$12.981297USD$12.972490011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewFu%2FhHB5QbWSmkUJ15sIq8LEI71zOXuz0rO34OrfEsQk1rQ9FHu2SBz2meTVIOx1WRdZ73YoONMI%3D1398USD$13.98Usually ships in 24 hours4.5296B0007939M050AI7KBBGYYCFX602005-03-17

NICE RESTORATION FOR ASTAIRE'S LAST MUSICAL FILM

I've been waiting to see a decent print of FINIAN'S RAINBOW for sometime. Though not an all-time favorite, I do like the score, and I'm a huge Petula Clark fan. Other video versions I've seen were poor pan-scan versions with horrible color and bad sound. Warners has done the film justice. Widescreen, 5.1 Surround and a trip down memory lane with Francis Ford Coppola, the director. <br /> <br />An interesting note, this is the first time I am aware of where the lead actress in the film has dubbed the foreign language track. Petula Clark, being a marvelous singer in several languages, had a huge French-language career going at this time, parallel to her English-language one. Also being an actress from childhood, she fits perfect as Sharon here. However, this is the first time I've heard her French vocals of the score, as well as the dialog. The male leads are other artists (one doing a bad Chevalier for Astaire), but it is definitely Petula in French, as well as the original English soundtrack. This is an absolute treat and collectible for all Petula fans around the world. <br /> <br />Recommended!B0007939M040A2T5VEMYVFSH5F12005-03-07

odd, in a good way

it takes a special kind of person to watch the entire movie without developing a migraine, but if you go the distance, you'll love it. it's quirky, silly, goofy, insert synonym, and it sticks with you. I first saw it when i was 10, and it's one of my favorite movies. i often find myself singing the songs, especially "Look to the Rainbow" and "When I'm not Near the Girl I Love."B0007939M042A3S9GLEN6EK12X22004-12-31

Let's see YOU dance at age 69! Go, Fred!

Yes, Finian's Rainbow is a bit outdated and quirky. It had a director who should be forever banned from doing musicals (did you SEE 'One From The Heart?!' I Worked on it and it Sucked!). BUT...Fred Astaire! That's all you need to know! If you insist on more--'Old Devil Moon,' 'Look To The Rainbow,' 'If This Isn't Love,' as well as the other classic numbers already mentioned in previous reviews. Sadly, it is not yet available on dvd ('Doom and Gloom!')...happily I have a laser disc version of it and can make my own dvd! Hmmm....I think Ebay is calling me! ('When The Idle Poor Become The Idle Rich!') <br />^^X^^ B0007939M040A28LOMK5KRP6TH12004-08-26

A Real Classic

WHAT A GREAT COLLECTION OF PERFORMERS/ACTORS AND SUBJECT MATTER. IN MANY WAYS, AHEAD OF ITS TIME.B0007939M053A39ARV0OY7ZDGG42004-06-16

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..........

What the....? I thought this was supposed to be one of those musicals like Singin In The Rain or Anie Get Your Gun. Thank goodness it's not. To say this movie is weird is an understatement, but to let it mingle with other musicals is even weirder. This movie shows two Irish immigrants who move to a town of hillbilly wackos in order to bury stolen gold. An obnoxious leprechaun, played by Tommy Steele, follows them there to claim his rightfully owned gold. My favorite scene with him in it is when he chases the drunken Fred Astaire through the Tennesee woods at night, disguised as a Christmas tree. Also in the story is the Senator, played by Keenan Wynn, who lives in a tumbledown house outside of the town, in a rural area. My favorite scene with him in it is the infamous "ham and cheese sandwich" scene on the baks of the bayou. The one con is: Too many bad songs. The songs are not very good, like they were in Fiddler On the Roof, and there are way too many of them. But if you are looking for a great black comedy, search no further. Finian's Rainbow is the best there is.Amazon.comA funny thing happened to <I>Finian's Rainbow</I> in between its debut as a Broadway musical in 1947 and its appearance as a film in 1968. After 21 years, its theme of racial tension in the American South was no longer cutting edge, and the fact that its heroes are a group of sharecroppers called the Rainbow Valley Tobacco Cooperative dates it even further. Add a number of subplots and the heavy hand of a 29-year-old Francis Ford Coppola directing his first and only musical, and the two-and-a-half-hour running time feels bloated. Hermes Pan (best known for the classic Astaire-Rogers movies) is credited with choreographing the overbusy musical numbers, but he was reportedly overruled by Coppola at every turn. Still, there is a lot to enjoy in this movie, most notably Fred Astaire in his last lead role in a musical. Fred plays Finian McLonergan, an Irishman who has traveled to America in hopes of planting a pilfered pot of gold near Fort Knox and watching it grow. Even at 69, Fred shows he is still capable of a sprightly step and warbling "Look to the Rainbow." Another plus is the casting of '60s pop icon Petula Clark as his daughter, as she sings with an unaffected loveliness. Finally, the score by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg includes two of the best Broadway songs ever written--"Old Devil Moon" and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"--as well as the comic ditty "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love." <I>--David Horiuchi</I>B0007939MUB0007939MKB0007939MAB00004RF9GB0002Y4TII163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452411100Astaire, Fred409682( A )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452417894Clark, Petula416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452423754Francks, Don422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452425168Glenn, Roy424172( G )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452447866Steele, Tommy444858( S )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452448688Sweet, Dolph444858( S )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452453404Wynn, Keenan451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452455800Coppola, Francis Ford455278( C )403502Directors130DVD139452524758General163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452579522( F )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452600324Musicals & Performing Arts515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600330All Titles515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores2655231038542DVDs Under $15515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394523ITM5PK4FX8CNLook to the Rainbow: Everything "Finian's Rainbow"636MHLETPVM0Classics Coming to DVD in 2005 (March)3AQVFUGVFVEOHFred Astaire 1899 - 1987B00006DEF9http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B00006DEF9%2526location=/o/ASIN/B00006DEF9%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K6021039http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006DEF9.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6051http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006DEF9.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg140120http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006DEF9.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475408Gene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsG (General Audience)Gene KellyStanley DonenColorClosed-captionedDolbyEnglishDubbedEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.1FrenchOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 5.1FrenchSubtitledEnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitled2699USD$26.992Pan & ScanDVD12002-09-24102Warner Home Video1952-04-100125695621271780USD$17.801639USD$16.392159USD$21.5946151011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewtC3ZsPBPfk5XYVE5PV0yxNqldyqwpPdJnmCj13BGcQkJMrhu5huwWMmiwivb1fYa3ngGJiMEpEs%3D1899USD$18.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.523848B00006DEF951A13STKDYQO5DQ812005-03-08

A great "pick-me-up" movie!

It really isn't possible to either fault at all, nor praise enough the merits of this wonderful film. An absolute classic and a must see, so much so that people who have not seen it are being pickeled, preserved and studied as rare species!B00006DEF940ACO20QL72D1E612005-02-27

GOOD, but...

overrated. As a musical review it works pretty well and there are lively scenes, most effecticly from Jean Hagen. Her impersonation of a dumb silent star(modeled after Judy Holliday who turned the part down because she felt it was too small) is one of the great parts in movie history. <br /> <br />The story is alarmingly thin and only an excuse for a singing or dancing number("It`s morning - yes and what a looooooooooooovely morning.... SINGING; "Good Morning.... " to name 1 of many incidents)... <br /> <br />The numbers are the best from MGM, Kelly, Donald O`Connor but works only as an excuse for showing off. However, the transition-scenes from silent to sound, the preview and the finale are treasured moments - but again - thanks to Jean Hagen.B00006DEF950AAECAHBNP1VD202005-01-24

The musical for those who hate musicals!!

Despite the fact it's a musical, SITR is one of the most watchable films ever made. The acting is great, ditto the camerawork, and there are just enough musical numbers; not too many that they get in the way of the plot (which is superb, BTW... funny as hell in some spots), and none that are too overblown. This was easily both the absolute height of Reynolds' and O'Connor's careers ("Make'Em Laugh" is a masterpiece), and one of Kelly's very finest moments as well. And don't forget Cyd Charisse in that green outfit!!B00006DEF946A326R2P2MC732S62005-01-16

Single disc DVD of this movie

A previous poster complained that this movie was not in widescreen. While I am definitely an advocate of releasing movies in widescreen, a look at the date of this movie will reveal that it never was widescreen. Widescreen movies did not start until "The Robe" in 1953. <br /> <br />Perhaps the forementioned poster was confused by WB's error in placing a placard at the beginning of the movie, stating that it had been modified to fit the screen. 1.33:1 is most definitely the appropriate ratio for this movie.B00006DEF952A2V06LWJH9HA1142005-01-16

Nothing to say but...

Gene Kelly, the Roaring 20s, and all the movie musical magic... it doesn't get any better.Amazon.com essential videoDecades before the Hollywood film industry became famous for megabudget disaster and science fiction spectaculars, the studios of Southern California (and particularly Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) were renowned for a uniquely American (and nearly extinct) kind of picture known as The Musical. Indeed, when the prestigious British film magazine <I>Sight & Sound</I> conducts its international critics poll in the second year of every decade, this 1952 MGM picture is <I>the</I> American musical that consistently ranks among the 10 best movies ever made. It's not only a great song-and-dance piece starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and a sprightly Debbie Reynolds; it's also an affectionately funny insider spoof about the film industry's uneasy transition from silent pictures to "talkies." Kelly plays debonair star Don Lockwood, whose leading lady Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) has a screechy voice hilariously ill-suited to the new technology (and her glamorous screen image). Among the musical highlights: O'Connor's knockout "Make 'Em Laugh"; the big "Broadway Melody" production number; and, best of all, that charming little title ditty in which Kelly makes movie magic on a drenched set with nothing but a few puddles, a lamppost, and an umbrella. <I>--Jim Emerson</I>DescriptionGene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds in 45th-anniversary restoration of the best-loved Hollywood musical ever-filled with memorable songs, lavish routines and Kelly's fabulous song-and-dance number performed in the rain. 630522577XB00004RF9FB00000F14BB00004RF9DB0000AM6IY163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452291184Showbiz291103By Theme163357Comedy404276Genres130DVD139452413280Blake, Madge O411316( B )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452417386Charisse, Cyd416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452417922Clarke, Mae416120( C )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452423638Fowley, Douglas422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452424102Fuller, Lance422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452426440Hagen, Jean426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452431034Kelly, Gene430468( K )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452432578Lansing, Joi432148( L )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452437614Mitchell, Millard434574( M )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452438074Moreno, Rita434574( M )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452439718O'Connor, Donald439610( O )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452443326Reynolds, Debbie442578( R )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452448102Stewart, Elaine444858( S )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452452710Williams, Robert451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452456254Donen, Stanley455972( D )403502Directors130DVD139452458534Kelly, Gene458356( K )403502Directors130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565162Deals Under $20409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577342Comedy163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452577346Romance163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579548( S )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452600324Musicals & Performing Arts515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452600330All Titles515794Warner Home Video468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452734044Deals Under $20734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523919296Special Editions295214Fully Loaded DVDs408328Special Features130DVD1394523500191Two-Disc Special Editions295214Fully Loaded DVDs408328Special Features130DVD139452382A1LMZP4SHTMy Favorite Musicals2T8W45KVL1MWRShow Biz - It's a Jungle!2WT4J7DVE69V2Watch Gene Kelly's Best Movies3BRW89G9ER23KBest Romantic Comedies (In no particular order)16UUGV4LS57KQMovies I Grew Up Watching Part 22YO5W80ET49CJ25 Superb Old and New Classics for All to Enjoy3053AXZ2LX0CUUnderrated Actors 32OEGJE52C5EPUmost critically acclaimed films - part 2R4V8D996MK0XMusicals I've seen1Q0E16TZD6941The Greatest American FilmsB00005RYKYhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=B00005RYKY%2526location=/o/ASIN/B00005RYKY%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602857http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005RYKY.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6041http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005RYKY.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg14095http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005RYKY.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg4753231.33:1G (General Audience)Charles S. DubinColorClosed-captionedDolbySpanishDubbedEnglishDubbedEnglishSubtitledSpanishSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 Mono2495USD$24.951Academy RatioDVD12002-01-0283Columbia/Tristar Studios1965-02-220433960732031722USD$17.221869USD$18.691999USD$19.9951223011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewm79winrdFlzdQSc3nPRB8RvzaZUCx6Ob8om9lbMoZaplzGsahzzX8IO9hzT6Env%2BbW1S5ojdbEc%3D1871USD$18.71Usually ships in 24 hours4.516934B00005RYKY50AM9TRM4YTJBFT02005-03-13

Terrific!

This 1965 version of Cinderella holds a very special place in my heart. I was a very small child when I saw it and I've never forgotten it. The music by Rodgers and Hammeerstein is great, and it was the first time I saw Leslie Anne Warren in anything. She makes a very sweet and appealing Cinderella. Since then, she's been one of my favorite actresses. I think she's underrated, too. Stuart Damon is a very handsome prince. If I had been Cinderella, I would have fallen in love with him myself. Ginger Rogers makes a very good and humane queen and Walter Pidgeon is a believable king. The color is pure 1960s, the sets are just right for this type of story, like cotton candy. As the fairy Godmother, Celeste Holm is kind and regal. Timeless!B00005RYKY40AVN9HUGR44ABH02005-03-10

well done stage production

Probably will be enjoyed more by young children who have no musical bias and adults old enough to appreciate Rodgers and Hammerstein's music. Good music, excellent singing, beautiful costumes, good delivery of lines. I was a bit distracted by the artificial trees, shrubs and buildings, although they were appropriate for a stage production and well done. B00005RYKY50A1E1UI5OHGC5IB52005-02-06

Garry Hixon as Cinderella Tremaine

Cinderella never had a last name. Was Garry Hixon's real name Cinderella Tremaine? or was it Cinderella Brown, or was it just Cinderella? These questions plague the public. For the most famous person in the world, Garry Hixon sure leads a private life, maybe the stars don't crave privacy as much as they say. Cinderella Tremaine, has two sisters, Debbie Gibson as Anastasia Tremaine, and Mariah Carey as Drewsila Tremaine, and of course Michelle Pfeiffer as Lady Tremaine, let's just call her Michelle Tremaine, if Miss Pfeifer is reading this, she probably thinks I'm nuts, you see I knew I was Cinderella!B00005RYKY30A1Y1IMKX8ZRV4Y22005-02-04

Has some charm, but cannot equal the original

When this version was produced in 1965, the reason given to the public was that the original production that appeared in 1957 was aired before videotaping was possible, so once it was aired, it was lost forever. That turned out not to be entirely true; it was preserved in a black-and-white kinescope recording that was recently released on DVD. While the picture quality is less than perfect, it is very similar to the quality of television picture that was common back in 1957, so it has sort of an authentic look to it, and there is simply no comparison in the quality of the production. This 1965 version does not come remotely close to that of the 1957 original. Despite some talented actors and singers, this production comes across as so much fluff with a truncated script in comparison, and with no good reason. <br /> <br />Lesley Ann Warren, a newcomer in her role, seems to have been spanked and sent to bed without supper before having played Cinderella to be put into the mindset of the squashed cabbage leaf servant girl; somehow she never really seems to become the princess type. She sings beautifully, but her acting seems very forced. Something about her performance comes across as less than graceful. <br /> <br />Stuart Damon's singing is fine, but his acting leaves much to be desired; he always seems to be reading from a cue card. The talents of Barbara Ruick and Pat Carroll are not adequately utilized in this production. They sing well, which comes as no surprise, but as brilliant as comediennes as they have been in other roles, they could have been better displayed than they were here, which is a shame. Celeste Holm is charming and regal as the Fairy Godmother; although she does not have the flash and flair that Edie Adams had in the 1957 version, she creates the role in her own style. However, the roles of King and Queen in this production, played by Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rodgers, are reduced to walk-on roles that could have been just as easily played by extras. It is hard to understand why the story was mutilated to such an extreme when the original story could have just as easily been used and given this production far more life than it had. <br /> <br />Someone will really have to explain to me what was the meaning of having that woman leap up in front of the camera on the last beat of the song "The Prince Is Giving a Ball." It was embarrassing, to say the least, for her; my children split their sides laughing over it, as all of us did when we saw it years ago. That poor girl is going to be a laughing stock throughout the ages. Sad to say, so is this production. If they were going to make a remake of this musical, they could have done a much better job than they did. <br /> <br />The quality of the DVD itself is fair; it's a shame that the contents don't justify making it. From reading the other reviews, I have a feeling that most of the others who gave five-star reviews never saw the 1957 version; otherwise, they would never have praised this version so highly. There really is no comparison. <br /> <br />This production adds one song to the score -- a leftover song from South Pacific, Richard Rodgers explained, "Loneliness of Evening" -- but it added nothing to the rather sad-sack production. With the modern technology at the disposal of the producers for this version, there really is no excuse for having watered down the musical to such a level. I was left wondering if it were fair to be quite so caustic to the cast when clearly the producers were probably to blame for not doing justice to a musical that in its original version was truly excellent.B00005RYKY50AM5N9DEP8YVG602005-01-19

The best of all "Cinderella"s

This is such an amazing movie. It seems we all grew up watching this version of Cinderella. I am so glad to have finally found it. I can't wait to share this with my little girls and watch them dance around like I once did singing "In My Own Little Corner". B00068NVG6B00000291SB00004Z4SEB00000J28KB00004RFEI163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452300365Television163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452423238Fleet, Jo Van422476( F )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452428326Holm, Celeste426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452441612Pidgeon, Walter440340( P )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452444086Rogers, Ginger442578( R )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452451616Warren, Lesley Ann451116( W )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452456342Dubin, Charles S455972( D )403502Directors130DVD139452524760Classics163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452565162Deals Under $20409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452573628All Sony Pictures Titles516494Sony Pictures Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452577346Romance163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579546( R )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452734044Deals Under $20734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523908750Rodgers & Hammerstein163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452911584DVDs Under $20911582Fox DVD Budget Store90871420th Century Fox Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394521077588Kids and Family516494Sony Pictures Home Entertainment468374Studio Specials498862Substores130DVD1394529JL7OJP36R5XAll Things CinderellaY8AD3HQO9GQXBEST MUSICALS OF ALL TIME1U34OA35S7WJ9Young at HEART - DVD MoviesZ6EZRW4NTGXZMusic Mania15RDXJ69E93KLRemember These?BEEB7J4D5UCOGood stuff for kidsQ6XIZKZFPV2NGreat MusicalsHWZSF7LSQ1OTMusical Cinderellas2R4P8D63B6PE9Rodgers & Hammerstein Musicals on DVD3I5BV48NHQOU5Small-Screen Musicals (Filmed for TV)0783233493http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=ws%26link_code=xm2%26camp=2025%26creative=165953%26path=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%253fASIN=0783233493%2526location=/o/ASIN/0783233493%25253FSubscriptionId=0CNXJKY3C82HD479K602535http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0783233493.01._SCTHUMBZZZ_.jpg6041http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0783233493.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg14097http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0783233493.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg475332Diana RossMichael Jackson1.85:1G (General Audience)Sidney Lumet21ColorClosed-captionedDolbyWidescreenEnglishDubbedFrenchSubtitledEnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 4.01498USD$14.981LetterboxDVD12003-04-01135Universal Studios1978-10-24025192053429508USD$5.08628USD$6.28999USD$9.9956241011ATVPDKIKX0DERhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/home.html?seller=ATVPDKIKX0DERNewxh1%2F72gRVR0VAo4lVt6pb%2ByNBHWHKOdlW5OmkOeUu%2FeoxjYJpTU5BtRo98o%2BT9hLBoWD%2B3qzE2E%3D1399USD$13.99Usually ships in 24 hours4.013527078323349350A3UN6WX5RRO2AG22005-02-18

Wiz Script

Hi I've watched the Wiz on stage, man it was fantastic and so is the film, I would love to read the script if anyone could tell me where to get it [...]078323349355A30O82V2Q2HSOS72005-01-23

A classic

Being AfricanAmerican I grew up on this movie. Theres barely any of my friends who i know who hasnt seen this movie growing up and didnt like it. <br />People complian abou the scenery. It was what the 1970s? it was made? That how things looked back then. what do you expect. <br />People complain bou the way the characters looked. Its an adaption of the original Wizard of Oz to better suit the black community i believe. <br /> <br />I loved that movie when i was 5 and younger and i still love it at the age of 18. And the puppet master in teh subway station still gives me the creeps. <br /> <br />I think the dancing and singing is wonderful in this movie. My fav is when dorothy first gets to Oz. and all the kids come off the walls. and when everyone sings Brand new day. Hell.... i like all the songs... i could sit here forever saying what i liked. <br /> <br />I only disliked Diane Ross as dorothy because of her age. I think she was way to old to play dorothy. But she still did a good job. <br /> <br />I kinda wish they would remake The Wiz Now and have new artist in there. Like Usher for the Tin man. Tamyra Gray as dorothy.That would be great. 078323349356A1IUH51WI1TTSP92004-12-19

A "Wizard of Oz" for the African-Americans

( *I hope I haven't anyone buy the title, it's all I could come up with* ). I first saw "the Wiz" as a very young boy (somewhere around 5-8 in year 1 or 2) in Primary School, which had been taped by a teacher when it premiered on TV. I had already seen "Return to Oz" and "the Wizard of Oz" on its 50th Anniversary both on TV. I ordered this DVD for my 20th Birthday (it came a week after that, however) and watching it was so exciting. I really enjoyed the movie and DVD and the songs (alomost all of them) were fantastic. Many farmiliar parts of the story have new twists, like Glinda and the Wizard being seen earlier than the original story says, and the Yellow Brick Road appearing AFTER the Scarecrow. Of course, there were a few similarities between this Universal version and the MGM version, but only by conicidence. I also read the script of "the Wiz" 1975 Broadway Musical on a site ( * I can't put it down here because Amazon.com will just take it off leaving a (. . . ) *) before I saw the movie on DVD. <br />THE MOVIE STORY: Dorothy, Toto, Aunt Em and Uncle Henry live in New York City, receiving the rest of the family to celebrate the birth of Aunt Em's daughter's baby - Dorothy feels excluded and is extremely shy. ( *Even though a lot of people hate Diana Ross as Dorothy, I think that it was good of her to play Dorothy because it's a new twist and some people can relate to Dorothy in this version, afraid to step out into the world and make a big change in her life *). Aunt Em goes about how Dorothy has to find a place for her and Toto. (This next scene I LOVE!!) After that, Toto runs outside into the swirling blizzard storm and Dorothy chases after him, resulting with them being caught up by a tornado (which has a new twist itself), and crash landing into a place where the Munchkins (finally in their originally described blue outfit) thank her for killing Evermean, the Wicked witch of the East. Miss One (the Good Witch from the North) appears and thanks her also, gives her the Silver Shoes (about time they were SILVER!!) and says that the only way to get home is to The Wiz in the Emerald City by following the Yellow Brick Road ("EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD" is such a GREAT song that you'll want to sing along with the subtitles available). Dorothy saves the Scarecrow and with his help, company and companionship, find the Yellow Brick Road and follow it until they meet the TinMan and the Cowardly Lion (who has a name for the first time). But afterwards, they get attacked (in a subway) by a strange man and many subway monsters, just before Dorothy, Toto and the Lion get put to sleep by the Poisonous Poppies. After that, they finally arrive at the Emerald City (*the Big Green Apple, displaying a funny pun *) and manage in seeing the Wiz, but of course they can't get what they want unless they kill Evillene, the Wicked witch in the West, who sends Flying Monkeys to capture them. Her attempt to take back the Silver Shoes fails, and Dorothy defeats her, freeing the Winkies (whose true col,our is yellow after taking off their slave clothes) and returning to the Emerald City, only to make a very disappointing discovery. But even so, dorothy realizes that her friends had what they wanted all the time, and that's when Glinda, the Good Witch of the South appears, telling Dorothy that she can go home. Saying good-bye to her friends and singing about 'Home', she and Toto return home, and the movie end credits play "Ease on Down the Road", ending the movie after 2 hrs 15 minutes. <br />The DVD also comes with excellent Special Features such as a 16 min "Wiz on Down the Road" 'Making of' featurette on the Movie, Production Notes (which gives a good reason to understand Diana Ross as Dorothy), Biographies and Film Highlights of the Actors and Director, Theatrical Trailer and a Web Link to Universal. <br />However, even for me the movie takes a little too long and the movie could've been made shorter by cutting a few songs either out altogether or shorter, as most dance sequences go on too long and a scene could've be put in at a different place (like the Winkies taking off their slave clothes), allowing the DVD to have a 'Deleted Scenes' feature and the ending could've been better, like Dorothy and Toto going through the swirl again on their way home. Richard Pryor plays the Wiz, who later played Gus in "Superman 3". The songs in this movie which didn't exist in the 1975 version are 'You Can't Win', (I think 'Can I Go On Not Knowing?') and 'Brand New Day' (which was performed in my High School's 2000 Jubilee). <br />(* THE FOLLOWING IS QUOTED FROM "THE ANNOTATED WIZARD OF OZ, pg 69*) "In her "Secrets of a Sparrow" book, Diana Ross argued that each of her 3 companions signifies a different aspect of dorothy's essence: 1) the Scarecrow was a representation of Doorthy's hunger for knowledge, the part of her that longed to know more about life and living. 2) the TinMan personified Dorothy's craving for love, the search for her heart, the deep need in her (in all of us, for that matter) to increase her capacity to give and to receive love. 3) And the Lion, the supposedly mean old lion, was uet another part of Dorothy's psyche. His loud and aggressive roars, designed to distance people by projecting fear and rage into their hearts, was merely a cover-up of his own fears and rage, an armoring to protect the sweetness and vulnerability of his, and of course Dorothy's, gentle heart". <br />I have made a review about this Wiz DVD, and i have 2 more pland for "the Wiz": 1) Send a letter to Universal Studios on making a "30th Anniversary Edition" DVD for 2008, and for me to do another movie remake combining the movie and stage for 2035, with a sequel to follow afterwards. <br />It was a pleasure to have written this review, and see you on my next review - what will it be? We'll see.078323349353A2YIPHRBKS9B0D72004-12-03

Better than the wizard if oz......

forget what your feelings about Michael Jackson.This movie is awesome.The MUSIC IS JUST GREAT.QUINCY JONES YOU'VE OUTDONE YOURSELF.I just love this movie.078323349344A19P51V1B7L8QL62004-11-29

A Soul Classic!

I remember sitting in the balcony of the theatre when this movie premiered. The theatre was so packed, literally there was not one empty seat in the house. Michael Jackson (who I just loved till no end) and Diana Ross were the major stars in this exciting black version of the Wizard of Oz. This film is still an all time favorite of mine and after nearly 30 years since its release, it is still a good movie. The music and the choreography in this film was excellent and it had you clapping your hands and tapping your feet from beginning to the end. Considering the fact that this movie was made in the late 70's, the costumes would look a bit cheesy today, but they were just costumes, costumes that were designed in 1978! Since Motown had a hand in the soundtrack department, they would indeed cast Diana Ross as Dorothy. Not taking anything away from Stephanie Mills, who originally played Dorothy in the broadway musical, but Diana who was still with Motown at the time was still hot commodity during that era. She was still in great demand since leaving the Supremes behind to start a solo career. Overall, I think this movie is good for children and adults of all ages.Amazon.comDirected by Sidney Lumet (<I>Serpico</I>) and penned by Joel Schumacher (<I>Batman and Robin</I>), this lavish 1978 adaptation of the Broadway hit <I>The Wiz</I> was the biggest production filmed in New York City up to that point, utilizing the newly revamped Astoria Studios and locations around the city. Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Ted Ross (reprising his Tony-winning role as the Lion) star in this Academy Award-nominated musical for the whole family.<p> <I>The Wiz</I> is probably the grandest take on L.&nbsp;Frank Baum's classic tale <I>The Wizard of Oz</I>. The production team created sets with a sense of urban magic and spectacle: a New York subway station literally comes to life, and the massive plaza between the World Trade Center towers is transformed into the Emerald City, featuring nearly 400 dancers with three costume changes. Like all good musicals, the Quincy Jones arrangements are highly hummable long after viewing (especially the funky "Ease On Down the Road" and the inspirational "Brand New Day"). In an era before MTV, the camera stays nearly stationary as Ross and Lena Horne vocally soar through their numbers. Their stage-like performances successfully make the leap to film, making <I>The Wiz</I> a testament to their singing talents and star presence. The then-thirtysomething Ross raised some eyebrows playing the traditionally teenaged Dorothy, but she and her supporting cast (including Richard Pryor as the Wiz) carry the tunes with an infectious verve that will appeal to folks of all ages. <I>--Shannon Gee</I>B00005RYOQB00007AJG2B00008CMRMB0000W5J4AB000002P75163425General508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD1394523003047-9 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD13945230030510-12 Years163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452300407Adapted from Books163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452301150Music & Arts163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452428514Horne, Lena426368( H )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452429410Jackson, Michael429340( J )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452431472King, Mabel430468( K )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452437058Merritt, Theresa434574( M )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452442366Pryor, Richard440340( P )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452444340Ross, Diana442578( R )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452444720Russell, Nipsey442578( R )404278Actors & Actresses130DVD139452459344Lumet, Sidney458810( L )403502Directors130DVD139452557172Jackson, Michael465350Artists163420Music Video & Concerts404276Genres130DVD139452565160Deals Under $15409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452577344Drama163428Musicals508528Musicals & Performing Arts404276Genres130DVD139452579556( W )579510Titles408328Special Features130DVD139452595062Family Films163414Kids & Family404276Genres130DVD139452734042Deals Under $15734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523882766All Deals409298Today's Deals in DVD408328Special Features130DVD139452883766All Deals734006DVD Outlet526028Categories517808Amazon.com Outlet285080Amazon.com Stores265523RB59JLRFHNBUcrap movies and my ridiculous descriptions3NHNOEFX2L24KEntertainment Weekly's Top 50 Cult Movies (Part 2)4S2SNHJFVSK6SH'MONE - THE DEFINITIVE MICHAEL JACKSON SOLO COLLECTIONJPCQ5PSN71LYKids Movies That Scare the Bejesus Out of Me1VKPMY6Q4F2W4Films Which Aren't That Good16ARABX8Q9PSYDystopia: a new GenrePSUYPQPP4ZKMMy own little corner2CUNBSQ2OCZVRThe Great Musical Films I've Seen15QZQLNZCGW72Everything "Wizard of Oz"2UP12TN2E4FK91978 List