The Music Man
1962 · Movie · G · 151 min · ★ 7.1 · 85% critics
A traveling con artist arrives in a small Iowa town and poses as a boys’ bandleader to talk residents into funding a marching band. While he plans to take the money and move on, his scheme draws him into the community and stirs unexpected feelings and changes.
Based on The Music Man
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Details
- Years
- 1962
- Release date
- 1962-06-19
- Language
- English
- Rated
- G
- Runtime
- 151 min
- Critic score
- 85/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (195 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy The Music Man if you want a classic, upbeat musical with memorable tunes and a warm small-town feel, like The Sound of Music; Not for you if you dislike con-artist premises or prefer less “corny” comedy.
Pros: iconic songs and score; charming small-town tone; lively lead performance | Cons: simple plot beats; some romance feels off; a few slow moments
Themes
- hustler
- iowa
- con man
- piano lessons
- musical
- based on play or musical
- marching band
- parade
- midwest
- trombones
- traveling salesman
- moral reformation
- +9 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Score, Adaptation or Treatment · 1963
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Color · 1963 · nominated
Show all 7 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Color · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Score, Adaptation or Treatment · 1963 · nominated
Cast & crew
Robert Preston
as Harold Hill
Shirley Jones
as Marian Paroo
Buddy Hackett
as Marcellus Washburn
Ron Howard
as Winthrop Paroo
Hermione Gingold
as Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn
Paul Ford
as Mayor George Shinn
Pert Kelton
as Mrs. Paroo
Timmy Everett
as Tommy Djilas
Susan Luckey
as Zaneeta Shinn
- PM
Peggy Mondo
as Ethel
Directed by Morton DaCosta