The Music Man

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The Music Man ★★★★ 1962 (G)

Con man in the guise of a traveling salesman gets off the train in River City, Iowa. After hearing about plans to build a pool hall, he argues it would be the gateway to hell for the young, impressionable males of the town. He then convinces the River Cityzens to look toward the future of the community and finance a wholesome children's marching band. Although the huckster plans to take their money and run before the instruments arrive, his feelings for the town librarian cause him to think twice about fleeing the Heartland. This isn't just a slice of Americana; it's a whole pie. Acting and singing are terrific “with a capital ‘T' and that rhymes with ‘P' and that stands for” Preston, who epitomizes the charismatic pitchman. ♫Seventy-six Trombones; Trouble; Till There Was You; The Wells Fargo Wagon; Being in Love; Goodnight, My Someone; Rock Island; Iowa Stubborn. 151m/C VHS, DVD . Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford, Pert Kelton, Ron Howard; D: Morton Da Costa; W: Marion Hargrove; C: Robert Burks; M: Meredith Willson, Ray Heindorf. Oscars ‘62: Adapt. Score; Golden Globes ‘63: Film—Mus./ Comedy, Natl. Film Reg. ‘05.

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