The Music Man Movie Review 1962

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.

Distribution

Time-Life Video and Television, 1450 Palmyra Ave., Richmond, VA 23227-4420, Phone: (804)266-6330, Toll-free: 800-950-7887, Fax: (757)427-7905

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 151 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Musical Drama, Adapted from a Musical, Top Grossing Films of 1962, Salespeople, Libraries and Librarians, Pool, Scams, Stings & Cons, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Marion Hargrove

Cast

Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford, Pert Kelton, Ron Howard

Cinematography

Robert Burks

Director

Morton DaCosta

Music

Meredith Willson, Ray Heindorf

Other

William Ziegler

Awards

Oscars 1962: Adapt. Score; Golden Globes 1963: Film--Mus./Comedy, Natl. Film Reg. 2005.