A potentially syrupy subject-matter the importance for an American small town of having its own marching band provides the launching pad for this vigorous, adequately cinematic transposition of the celebrated Broadway musical success. Robert Preston reprises his signature titular role of confidence trickster Professor Harold Hill and he inhabits the character so perfectly (he had performed it around 900 times on stage!) that it's nearly impossible to believe that he had never sung professionally before and that he didn't cop at least an Academy Award nomination although the film itself received six (including Best Picture). Shirley Jones is also excellent as the lonely spinster librarian who, after some initial mistrust, is won over (and eventually liberated) through her love for Preston; also in the cast are Paul Ford (as the Mayor of River City, Iowa), Hermione Gingold (a standout as his irrepressible wife), Buddy Hackett (as Preston's reformed partner), Mary Wickes, Charles Lane and little Ron Howard (as Jones' brother, plagued into introversion by his huge lisp). Distinguished composer Meredith Willson's finest creation is probably best known for the popular "76 Trombones" and the romantic ballad "Till There Was You" (which was even covered by The Beatles in their second album!) but his complex lyrics are best demonstrated in the opening onomatopeic salesmen song "Rock Island" and Preston's show-stopping "Ya Got Trouble" which, with the playful "Marian The Librarian", are the songs I liked best; on the other hand, I could have done without Hackett's silly "Shipoopi" production number. Another noteworthy (and amusing) contribution to the film comes in the unlikely form of a real-life quartet of male singers dubbed The Buffalo Bills who, playing leading citizens after Preston's inexistent musical credentials, always end up goaded by the latter into bursting into song and forgetting all about their official assignment!
Review of The Music Man
