An energetic con artist convinces the citizens of a small turn-of-the-century community to form a boy's band - which he plans to lead. This classic Hollywood musical features such hits as "76 Trombones," "Ya Got Trouble," and many more. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture. Academy Awards: Best Adapted Score.
Professor Harold Hill, a travelling salesman, makes his living by duping small towns into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' marching band. Hill sells parents on the idea by promising to teach the boys how to play, but as soon as they hand over their money, he skips out. His latest stop is River City, Iowa, where he soon has the locals up in arms over the threat to public morals posed by the neighborhood pool hall; how better to save their sons' souls than by creating a boys' band? Only one thing stands between Hill and success: the town's pretty but skeptical librarian, who threatens to expose his schemes -- if she doesn't declare her love for him first.
Originally produced for the Broadway stage by Kermit Bloomgarden with Herbert Greene in association with Frank Productions, Inc. Director Morton Da Costa also directed the stage musical. Appearing in both the stage and film versions were Robert Preston, Pert Kelton, Paul Ford, and the Buffalo Bills, among others.
Ronny Howard's father, Rance, appears in the film as "Oscar Jackson."
The barbershop quartet "The Buffalo Bills" were Al Shea (who played Ewart Dunlop), Wayne Ward (Oliver Hix), Vern Reed (Jacey Squires), and Bill Spangenberg (Olin Britt).
Additional cast: Monique Vermont (as Amaryllis), Ronnie Dapo (Norbert Smith), Jesslyn Fax (Avis Grubb), Patty Lee Hilka (Gracie Shinn), Garry Potter (Dewey), J. Delos Jewkes (Harley MacCauley), Ray Kellogg (Harry Joseph), William Fawcett (Lester Lonnergan), Roy Dean (Gilbert Hawthorne), David Swain (Chet Glanville), Arthur Mills (Herbert Malthouse), Rand Barker (Duncan Shyball), Jeannine Burnier (Jessie Shyball), Shirley Claire (Amy Dakin), Natalie Core (Truthful Smith), Therese Lyon (Dolly Higgins), Penelope Martin (Lila O'Brink), Anne Loos (Stella Jackson), Peggy Wynne (Ada Nutting), Natalie Masters (Farmer's Wife), Peggy Mondo (Townswoman), Sarah Seeger (Townswoman), Adnia Rice (Townswoman), Maudie Prickett (Townswoman), and Charles Perchesky (Salesman).
Carl Combs served as Unit Publicist.
Music published by Frank Music Corp.
Filmed in Super Technirama 70 and Technicolor at the Warner Bros. Studios. Original projected aspect ratio: 2.2: 1. Featured RCA six-track magnetic stereophonic sound.
In his 1995 memoir, "My American Journey," General Colin Powell lists "The Music Man" as one of his favorite films.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Full Frame - 1.33
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers: 2 Theatrical Trailers
Documentary with Exclusive Premier Footage and Interviews with Cast and Crew
Featurette: Right Here In River City
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Cinematographer
Robert Burks: Cinematographer
Production Designer
Paul Groesse:
Writer
Marion Hargrove: Screenwriter\"Music Man"
Choreographer
Onna White: Choreographer
Review 1:
"...[Featuring] Meredith Willson's great score, abundant Robert-Preston-Shirley Jones charm and zesty 2 1/2 hour pacing..."
Source: USA Today
p.6E 02/26/1999
Review 2:
"THE MUSIC MAN is an American milestone in the history of jubilance, thanks to Willson's score and Robert Preston's majestic zest..."
Source: Wall Street Journal
07/17/2009
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