Our PBS station showed "The Music Man" over the weekend.
Best musical ever, due largely to Robert Preston who played Prof. Harold Hill and Meredith Wilson, who wrote the songs.
Robert Preston: adorable. Matthew Broderick? No. I did not see one impish grin out of him. In fact, not a single person I saw in that role ever had RP's roguish quality. Granted, I saw it once in high school and once at Missouri Baptist College, where I tell you they changed Zanita Shin's line of "Ye Gods" to "Egad." Because "Ye Gods" might suggest a Baptist production was promoting polytheism. I am not kidding.
So, Gary and I have seen it three times straight through since Friday night. "That man is adorable," I kept thinking."Why haven't I seen him in other things?"
A little more investigation showed me why. It took me a long time to forget the other famous Robert Preston / Meredith Wilson collaboration.
"Chicken Fat."
Wikipedia: "Chicken Fat ... was distributed to schools across the nation and played for students in calisthenics every morning. The song later became a surprise novelty hit and a part of many baby-boomers' childhood memories."
Because there is nothing sweeter than being a fat kid and feeling your fat jiggle as you run while some man sings about Chicken Fat. I want to punch someone after hearing this song again.
Boomers: do not play this song if you disliked gym class. I am on the tail end of the Boomer generation (born in '62) and they were still inflicting this on children.
After just making a super-serious comment on the post below, let me also raise my voice as one who was damaged GREATLY by this friggin' song. I didn't watch the video.
GIVE that chicken fat back to the chicken,
GI-IVE that chicken fat back to the hen!
I totally want to curl up in a ball, now.
Posted by: Tami | November 01, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Have you seen Victor/Victoria? He is so twinkly and awesome in it it's ridiculous. LOVE Robert Preston.
Posted by: Angie | November 01, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Ah the chicken fat years. Never upset me. Great nostalgia, and yes I was fatish in highschool.
Posted by: Zayrina | November 01, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Oh my GOD I remember that song ...
Posted by: RockyCat | November 01, 2011 at 03:09 PM
I suppose the decade after "Music Man" would have been the guy who played LSD in "The Producers."
Posted by: Becs | November 01, 2011 at 05:32 PM
Tami - I think this song turned me against exercise. The fucking cheeriness. I might go to aerobics if there was a depressed instructor. "March. March ... just keep doing it until I tell you not to. Or not, whatever."
Angie - I've never seen it. That'll be good for when the TiVo is clear
Zayrina - All the kids in my class boooed when that record came on!
RockyCat - I am sorry.
Becs - Well, Dick Shawn http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0790071/
did have a twinkle, but he was no Robert Preston.
Posted by: TheQueen | November 01, 2011 at 10:51 PM
This is the first time I've heard this song. It's no Shi-poopy.
Posted by: Marcia | November 03, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Marcia - guess what we watched tonight? AGAIN. GUESS.
Posted by: TheQueen | November 03, 2011 at 11:02 PM