Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Robert Preston | ... | Harold Hill | |
Shirley Jones | ... | Marian Paroo | |
Buddy Hackett | ... | Marcellus Washburn | |
Hermione Gingold | ... | Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn | |
Paul Ford | ... | Mayor George Shinn | |
Pert Kelton | ... | Mrs. Paroo | |
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The Buffalo Bills | ... | School Board |
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Vern Reed | ... | Jacey Squires (as The Buffalo Bills) |
Ron Howard | ... | Winthrop Paroo (as Ronny Howard) | |
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Al Shea | ... | Ewart Dunlop (as The Buffalo Bills) |
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Bill Spangenberg | ... | Olin Britt (as The Buffalo Bills) |
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Wayne Ward | ... | Oliver Hix (as The Buffalo Bills) |
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Timmy Everett | ... | Tommy Djilas |
Susan Luckey | ... | Zaneeta Shinn | |
Harry Hickox | ... | Charlie Cowell |
It's the early twentieth century American Midwest. A con man currently going by the assumed name Harold Hill has used several different schemes to bilk the unsuspecting, and now travels from town to town pretending to be a professor of music - from Gary (Indiana) Conservatory of Music, class of '05 - who solves all the respective towns' youth problems by forming boys' marching bands. He takes money from the townsfolk to buy instruments, music, instructional materials, and uniforms for their sons. However, in reality he has no degree and knows nothing about music, and after all the materials arrive and are distributed, he absconds with all the money, never to be seen again. Many of the traveling salesmen in the territory have been negatively impacted by him, as the townsfolk then become suspicious of any stranger trying to sell them something. For Harold's scheme to work, he must gain the trust of the local music teacher, usually by wooing her, regardless of her appearance. And if the ... Written by Huggo
I first learned of the Music Man when my brother's fifth grade class put it on. (My brother played Mayor Shinn.) Our entire family learned the train scene, all of the monologues (especially "Trouble"), and the Music Man became part of our lives. I still remember most of those monologues, and I still love to watch Robert Preston and Shirley Jones create their magic and make their music. Like "My Fair Lady," the players have refined their parts to high art, but have not burned out; the details delight again and again. The chorus is the best I've heard (Wells Fargo Wagon), the cast is just great. When my older son was two years old, The Music Man was his favorite video; he watched it over and over, laughing and gurgling. He "outgrew" it, and is now almost ten. Last night we watched it (again): I, my wife, and both of our sons. It touched me as much as the first time I saw it. ("I always think there's a band, kid.") I hear and read criticism of Robert Preston's acting, that as a performer he is a dilettante. But I feel this criticism misses the point. Harold Hill is the dilettante, trying to pass himself off as a music expert--until he gets his foot caught in the door. Preston is perfect as Hill. I love this film, and will watch it with my loved ones for a long, long time to come.