The Music Man 1962 with Shirley Jones and Robert Preston

The Music Man 1962 with Shirley Jones and Robert Preston

The Music Man came on television the other night and reminded me that this was one of my Dad's favourite movies.  I think many of us have fond memories of this film, no matter how old you are. My eldest teenager used to sing Seventy Six Trombones when he was about 3 years old and grew up to play the trombone in the pit band when his high school performed the musical!

So here is a little trip back in time to River City Iowa circa 1912...Ye Gads!!!!

Harold Hill arrives in River City in The Music Man

Harold Hill: Mothers of River City, heed that warning before it's too late! Watch for the telltale signs of corruption! The minute your son leaves the house, does he rebuckle his knickerbockers below the knee? Is there a nicotine stain on his index finger? A dime-novel hidden in the corncrib? Is he starting to memorize jokes from Captain Billy's Whiz-Bang? Are certain words creeping into his conversation? Words like "swell" and "so's your old man"? If so my friends, ya got trouble!

Marion the Librarian from The Music Man 1962

Maaaaaaaaarion! Madame Libraaaaaaaaaaarian!

Charles Lane as Constable Locke in The Music Man 1962

Constable Locke: That was pretty good, Professor, but you made a couple of mistakes.
Harold Hill: Oh?
Constable Locke: Yeah, the billiard hall and that pool table belong to Mayor Shinn.
Harold Hill: Oh
[looks thoughtful]
Harold Hill: What was my other mistake?
Constable Locke: That Zaneta, she's the mayor's oldest girl. 

Paul Ford as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man 1962

Mayor Shinn: You watch your phraseology! 
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Mayor Shinn: I couldn't make myself any plainer if I was a Quaker on his day off!
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Mayor Shinn: It's as clear as a buttonhook in the well water!
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Mrs. Shinn: Now, George!
Mayor Shinn: Not one poop out of you, Madame!
Mrs. Shinn: [turning to Zaneeta] I think he means "peep"!

The Cross-hand piece from The Music Man 1962

Oh yes, that woman made brazen overtures, with a guilt-edge guarantee / She had a golden glint in her eye and a silver voice with a counterfeit ring / Just melt her down and you'll reveal / a lump of lead as cold as steel / Here, where a woman's heart should be.

Pert Kelton as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man 1962

Mrs. Paroo: When a woman's got a husband, and you've got none, why should she take advice from you? Even if you can quote Balzac and Shakespeare and all them other high-falutin' Greeks.
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Marian Paroo: Do you think that I'd allow a common masher - ? Now, really, mama. I have my standards where men are concerned and I have no intention...
Mrs. Paroo: I know all about your standards and if you don't mind my sayin' so there's not a man alive who could hope to measure up to that blend of Paul Bunyan, Saint Pat, and Noah Webster you've concocted for yourself out of your Irish imagination, your Iowa stubbornness, and your li'berry full of books!

At the soda fountain from The Music Man 1962

Harold Hill (in song): I rant and I rave for the virtue I'm too late to save / I smile, I grin when the gal with a touch of sin walks in / I hope and I pray for Hester to win just one more "A" / The sadder but wiser girl's the girl for me / The sadder but wiser girl for me. 

Shirley Jones as Marion Paroo in The Music Man

Marian Paroo: There was love all around, but I never heard it singing. No I never heard it at all, Till There Was You.

Ronnie Howard as Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man 1962

Harold Hill: [Marian and Winthrop are urging the Professor to leave before the crowd arrives] I can't go, Winthrop.
Winthrop Paroo: Why not?
Harold Hill: Well, for the first time in my life, I got my *foot* caught in the door.

The Music Man 1962

 Harold Hill: I always think there's a band, kid.


And if you want to know more about Meredith Willson and his hometown of Mason City Iowa, here is the link for The Music Man Square .