I met Mr. Preston in Knoxville as I was there on business in 1963..in a bar, we talked everything but movies and my business...as I left and said good bye, he remarked "Billy me boy, when I am gone and from time to time and now and then would ye raise an elbow for poor old Bobby Preston?"I said surely and though I no longer drink alcohol I have kept that promise for nearly 50 years...
Reading the comments on here I see a lot of people talking about tears.. I really think the reason for all the tears is because this movie being 60 years old really hearkens back to our childhood. The days of innocence and relative peace in our lives.
When Meredith Wilson had lost all memory from Alheimers...he still remembered every note from the music that he wrote...memorable musical in every way...
A bit ot trivia. Preston served as a intelligence officer in the same bomber group as my father 1943-45. Occasionally Preston would perform in a show in the midwest & send tickets to my parents & take them out for drinks after the show. He also attended some of the unit reunions.
Piece of trivia: In an episode of the TV series Happy Days (1974), Howard and Marion Cunningham are coming out of a movie theater; they pause in the lobby and look at the poster for "The Music Man". Marion comments how much the little boy in the movie (Winthrop) "looks so much like Richie did when he was little". Both Winthrop and Richie were played by Ron Howard.
I've always loved it when TV shows give a little wink like that. One of my favourites is early in the original Stargate series when Dr Samantha Carter marvels at how compact the alien device to activate the Stargate is, when it took them three supercomputers to "Macgyver" a jury rigged solution for Earth's gate. When she says this Col. Jack O'Neal (Richard Dean Anderson, who originally played Macgyver) gives her a look. There's also a famous prank outtake in the first season where Sam and Jack are trapped in an ice cave and Amanda Tapping (Carter) starts going off at Anderson "You spent 7 years on Macgyver and you can't figure this out? You're MacUseless"
This was the very first movie we saw at a drive in theater. We piled in the station wagon car already in our pajamas with homemade popcorn and puffy blankets and one little speaker attached to the front window. What a magical night and a magical movie.
Even though Robert Preston originated the role on Broadway, when it came time to make the film the studio wanted Cary Grant. Grant had seen Preston in the role on Broadway, so when the producers approached Cary Grant about the role he said: “Not only will I NOT do it, but if you don’t cast Robert Preston in the lead, I won’t even come and see it.”
Actually, the WB studio initially wanted Frank Sinatra who was already under contract with Warner Brothers. Cary Grant was with Paramount, so he wouldn't have been seriously considered. This has been confirmed by others linked to the film, including Shirley Jones.
I had heard the same story about Cary Grant when he was offered the role of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady instead of Rex Harrison. He said if they didn't give the role to Harrison he wouldn't even see it. Absolutely love the Music Man though. Robert Preston was perfect for it.
@@michaelverbakel7632 How many musicals has Hollywood ruined by going for star quality rather than the talented person who made it famous on Broadway? Off the top of my head: My Fair Lady-casting Audrey Hepburn who couldn’t sing instead of Julie Andrews who certainly could (although Julie Andrews had the last laugh winning Best Actress for Sound of Music); Phantom of the Opera-casting Gerard Butler instead of Michael Crawford; A Chorus Line casting the non-singing Michael Douglas; Russel Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter, Les Miserables; Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (again) in Sweeney Todd; Marlon Brando, Guys and Dolls; Sophia Loren and Peter O’Toole, Man of La Mancha and Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia come to mind.
I'm in my 30s and the Music Man is still to this day one of my favorite musicals. I saw it performed at a local college when I was like 5 or 6 and it had a profound impact on me. Saw West Side story a million times when grade school age also. Loved King and I and Annie and Peter Pan and Sound of Music and so many others.
I'm almost 62, and I grew up with this movie as it was one of my parents' favorites. I watch it whenever I can and never get tired of it - if no one's around, I love to sing along. The most recent movie that I can recall whose ending can evoke a similar visceral response is the end of "Jersey Boys." Same exuberance and joy.
Crying tears of joy, and for a sadness that we no longer have these positive movies on our screen. I am so glad I grew up surrounded by these wonderful moview!
I was just thinking & feeling the same way! I'm 62 & I was remembering when I was in the Bluebirds (pre-girl-scouts) in the small town where I grew up & we marched in the Memorial Day parade that ended at the church cemetery & we all placed our little flags on the graves, what a sense of pride & community we shared. The loss of innocence makes me want to ball my eyes out for the children living through these evil days.
For me Robert Preston should have won the best actor Oscar in 1962 for the Music Man. Shameful that he wasn't even nominated. He was certainly more lively, emotional and entertaining than the winner that year, Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird. Although that film itself was wonderful, I've always found Gregory Peck to be a limited, boring, unexciting, monotonous, dull type of actor without much emotional depth. He didn't deserve to win for this, though I loved the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The only other guy with a chance that year was Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia.
Little known fact: the producer and director both wanted to reshoot the scene with the winners of the Music Man Band competition! That winner was the Lockport Township High School Music Man Band, of which my brother was a trumpet player. The p/d were so taken with the ability of the band to march in straight lines going up/down, from the side and crosswise! In other words everyone was perfectly situated! I remember so well the band practicing for the competition so this movie is my favorite love, the music, actors all made it the best ever produced!
This film is one of the definitive, uplifting creations of the men and women of our Greatest Generation. Absolutely a Gem and a Golden Moment of Hollywood.
I watched this movie a lot as a kid, this was one of my family's favorite movies because we are a band family. My dad plays brass, my mom plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and some trumpet. My sister and one of my brothers plays clarinet, two of my brothers play trumpet, the last one plays percussion. I play flute. And my dad is a professor at a college, our last name is Hill, so we have the whole band and professor Hill.
The look of sheer joy on Susan Luckey's face when the two drummer boys, the drum major and her all transform into those glorious scarlet outfits will never cease to make me smile. She sells it so well.
@@KittyStarlight Forget the uniforms, how did they come up with several hundred extras for the band? There weren''t that many kids in the entire school.
I saw this movie in 1962 at a matinee in downtown Toronto with my grandma when I was eleven. The Technicolor was amazing and the songs fantastic. And talk about a powerhouse finale!
Idk why but I'm obsessed with the short bit of Shirley Jones running towards the camera, and then her & Robert Preston together. I will forever ship them. My favorite movie musical!
Cary Grant was RIGHT! I can't imagine anyone else playing that part. For Cary to give up that role to Mr. Preston was a great sign of respect and made the movie all the greater.
My dad (a former elementary school music teacher) loved this movie too. He died a couple of years ago, and I'll always remember him whenever I listen to these songs.
I think about when I was a kid, I couldn't understand how my mom and sisters loved this and other musicals. They're gone now. This music pops into my head and I'll march along miming a trombone.
@@ViolettaD1485 he did. and for the magnitude of the part, he did good, but part of Robert Preston's charm in that role and even in like Last Starfighter when he was quite a bit older , was that he had tons of energy, and for me, the newer wasn't just lacking a bit, it was lots. They may have even been better off getting a little weaker singer who had the energy. Otherwise I liked it. He's quite handsome :)
@@SymphonicEllen The moment Robert Preston first appeared in The Last Starfighter it was like Robert Preston playing Harold Hill playing Centauri. What a talented actor!
The Music Man was the culmination of decades of know how accumulated by American stage musicals and Hollywood productions. All that learning of their craft led to the Music Man . It is hard to see how the future will yield something like this again.
@@alexkije Marty? Ummm... Okay, for an old movie with a _really_ powerful ending, try Fail Safe. ua-cam.com/video/VUZUGTcMRpE/v-deo.html (Warning: not a happy one)
A tie= endings of.. THE SIXTH SENSE.. BLAZING SADDLES.. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES.. THE USUAL SUSPECTS.. THE BIG COUNTRY.. E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL .... and THE PLANET OF THE APES('68)..
I was ten years old when this movie came out in 1962 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Me and my best friend and my sister and his sister walked up town to the Galion Theater to watch it...great memories!
Some good things about this version. Its primary focus is on the marching band (which is a really really *good* marching band). But also at the same time there is a lot of concentration on all of the main characters and supporting characters *and* their names are up on the screen in front of them. Great/terrific *enthusiasm* from everyone in it. From the main characters to people that are just watching on the sidelines, everyone seems to be really *enjoying* this, both as actors and as characters. Wow. Have appreciated this for years/decades but perhaps did not quite appreciate it *enough* until now.
Yes and Sara seegar (that's my linus ! play to me son!) Absolutely kills me every time. Oh and of course Hermione Gingold!!!!! I wish there were another movie with Mary, Sara and Hermione only!!!!
Kevin, my grandmother used to tell me a story about Bob. She would call him for dinner when he was a kid and he wouldn’t come for the longest time and when he finally did come in she’d ask him why it took him so long. He’d tell her “my name isn’t Bob, its Mickey Mack McMichael”. I used to laugh and adored that story. I got to thinking about it when I got older and wondered….he played Mack Sennett in a play and he was Michael in I Do I Do but I never knew if he was ever a Mickey. They weren’t there to ask by the time I started wondering 😢 they were the best family a person could have! Ps I loved your comment ♥️
Thanks to Radio Classics on Sirius/XM radio, I came to appreciate the composer, Meredith Willson, who wrote the music and lyrics for The Music Man. Mr. Willson played the comedic foil on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program and occasionally his musical talents are permitted to shine through; "There were bells on the hill but I never heard them ringing, no I never heard them at all 'til there was you". Since my wife and fiancée have both passed away that lyric pierces my heart like a dagger made of ice.
@Arthur Crunden - It will be interesting to see how Hugh Jackman pulls off the Harold Hill character in the upcoming Broadway revival of this iconic show.
just scene this wonderful spectacular and it still make e smile and cheers me up no end. the cast was inspired. Shirley Jones was a brilliant Marian and no-one else could play Harold hill like Robert Preston. it was pure magic!
This just popped up on my feed! I haven’t seen this movie in ages and ages. Next month would have been my husband’s 76th birthday 🎉. What a tribute to him🤩
It takes me back to when I played the sax in the band in public schools. My parents attended every concert, one place where their pride, love, and collaboration as parents came into full bloom. Definitely brought a tear to my eye. At the age of 82, I still play and perform on the sax, and feel the pride of my mom and dad.
I always thought of it as a story about how easy it is to rile up people who see things at face value and don't critically think, and how dumb people can be, with redemption only being the theme for the main character. Neither the librarian nor the boy needed redemption. The boy was depressed his father died and ashamed of his lisp, something he was mocked for. The librarian was the subject of ridicule because people thought she was a gold digger because, to the town, there's no other way she could have gotten ownership over all the books in the library when the previous owner, her uncle, died.
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I disagree, the music Man wasn't redeemed because he was not punished. It was brushed aside with the librarian vouching for him. It felt very open ended. Still a nice movie, catchy tunes.
@@kateneonne6757 , Perhaps The Music Man is redeemed because he is forgiven and he decides to stop sinning. That sounds like the plan of salvation that God offers each one of us.
One of the few roles where it feels like the role was written for him and there could never be anyone else who could play it. This is a brilliant musical on every level but it’s Ideal for Prestons only. One of the greatest characters written for the stage or screen and one of the best performances. I’ll never tire of it and every time I see it the main scenes are every bit as enjoyable as the 1st time I saw it
I agree wholeheartedly. As much as I enjoyed Matthew Broderick in "The Producers" (he and Nathan Lane make an amazing team), he could not pull off the role of Professor Harold Hill. As you so correctly point out, the role is ideal, but only for Preston.
IIRC Meredith Wilson, or some higher-up, agreed to make the movie only if Preston was cast in the title role. Wasn't he the original Broadway "Music Man"?
Definitely one of the classic endings from a classic and amazing musical. When Hollywood gets it right, and they did with this musical, the result is truly MAGICAL. The Music Man never fails to puts a smile on your face, along with a few tears.
Right you are Jon -- and thank goodness the late great Meredith Willson (the writer and the composer of the music in this movie) stood his ground against Warner Bros. brass who initially wanted to cast Frank Sinatra in the title role. Willson emphatically gave them this ultimatum: "NO ROBERT PRESTON, NO MOVIE!" ;-)
Every year we would watch this perfect movie. My mom would make fudge right in time with the fudge scene in the movie. Funny, but it was a surprise and a treat every time to smell the chocolate wafting through the house and realize she was making it! Us littles got to scrape the pot! Oh yes - Trickle, trickle, trickle!
One of my absolute favorites! Robert Preston is nothing short of a legend in this. I also always thought The Buffalo Bills were up there as well & perhaps never got the credit they deserved for being one of the best Barbershop groups of all time.
Actually, they did. The Buffalo Bills won first place in the International Barbershop Harmony Society Championship in 1950. That organization is still going strong today and the most prestigious award a Barbershop quartet can receive comes from that group. Literally thousands of quartets compete each year in lesser contests (district and state), and a couple of hundred winners of those advance to compete in the three day final.
@@charliedobihal3136and I can't argue with that, I'm 77 and live in the UK, but our dad loved this, he was always whistling 76 trombones around the house, sadly no longer with us
@@davidfletcher452 But his whistling legacy lives on. And if you should ever hear someone whistling "76 Trombones" in the middle of the night on an otherwise calm, still night...well, you will know that it's probably him. ^___^
Meredith Willson was born in Mason City, Iowa in 1902. This was his loving musical memory of growing up in a small Iowa town in a time long past. It was also an expression of his love for American band music. MW played flute and piccolo for John Phillip Sousa from 1921 to 1924. He wrote the book (the story or script), the music and the lyrics. Willson’s 2nd musical was The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Another of his many songs was “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”. "Till There Was You" from The Music Man was a favorite of the Beatles and they performed the song during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Thank you. I did not know very much of that before. This is good information. ^___^ (I was almost going to say "good trivia" only it is not very trivial.) UA-cam is the new IMDb. That's a *good* thing by the way. ^____^
I was born and raised in Mason City. The movie premier was held there and I remember sitting on the curb watching the parade with the movie's stars go by (I was about 6). I don't live there now, but will visit occasionally. A visit to the library (Willson's house is across the street), the footbridge, central park, etc, is always on the scheduie.
that's true and i guess inspired about iowa river city and amused when he created the music man as a summer on the fourth of july broadway classic musical to the broadway new york stage.
As for a love of great music in all genres, my parents raised me to have a great appreciation for well made movies in all genres as well. Two of my favorites, this one and Singing in the Rain. Actually was laid up in bed with strep throat for about 2 weeks when cable first came out back in the early 80's and watched both of them. Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Gene Kelly and all the others in these movies. Such wonderful pieces of film, but I couldn't imagine the logistical nightmare for the film crews.
Two of the greatest pieces of music in American history and I would say in all human musical history: Stars & Stripes Forever and 76 Trombones. And the lyrics to 76 Trombones live up to the music. Every time I listen to it, I cry. I think it hits a certain chakra point... either that or it seems to hit the only optimistic bone left in my body.
@@Jasper7182009I can agree Stars and Stripes forever is an extremely well written song, as it is John Philip Sousa, but it is not one of the two greatest pieces of music in American history, not even close to all human history. So many of the very old classical songs just blow it out of the water, and then if you go beyond orchestra, again many times over there are better songs. Hell, it isn’t even his best March: Washington Post March, every single one of each branch of the military marches, The Thunderer, The Loyal Legion, The Fairest of the Fair
When the kids were playing "Awful" and the parents jumped up with shouts of delight,, "That's my boy!! Every body that's MY BOY!!" That's encouragement that EVERY Parent should give to EVERY child!!
This was my reason for doing Marching band in high school. My parents still to this day does not know my reasons, even with a screwed up ankle I just HAD to join! And I hope when I have kids they will love this musical as much as me
Great comment. I love when people express themselves as you did. I loved the movie too but I was 15 when i saw it. Too late for me to join band but it did give me an immediate interest in band music.
Agreed - one of the loveliest moments in any musical, in my book. The way her sweet voice soars over their harmony is just perfect - and how the two separate songs blend into one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
YES! It's a lovely moment in a wonderful movie. But then, it's full of wonderful moments. There's the moment when "Harold", at the footbridge dreaming of his band, snaps the stick as he thinks of his lost dream. Then, just before this clip begins, Marian snaps the pointer and hands his dream back to him. It's so simple and so powerful.
I was six years old in 1962, and we got the vinyl soundtrack. I played it for years, plus got to see the movie at the theatre. Big treat! I read Meredith Wilson's write up on the album, about growing up in Iowa and the memories from his childhood. But my own redemption came when I was about fourteen, watching the movie on July 4th. It occurred to me that a number of the men in this movie were gay. I had enjoyed this movie for so many years, and appreciated the talents all the actors shared with the world. So from then on, I told myself let people live their own lives, and be grateful for a free society that enables everybody to achieve their potential. Seems to have worked out ever since. And I still have the original vinyl, complete with album jacket.
So THAT'S what 76 trombones look like in the Big Parade. I play a King 2B(trombone of 1947 vintage)in a community band in Lake Charles, LA. We're people all ages - some high school, some retired(many music educators too), some active members of the community that get together and play music that appeals to the public like Broadway and Movie themes etc. We have a good time and put on around 6 concerts per year. One for the Fourth of July and one for Christmas or course with appropriate music. It's a blast!
I've got 2 of Kings also, one with a sterling silver bell. They play great, but I still like the slide action on my Bach Strads better. They don't sound better than the Kings, but the slide action in incredible.
Musicals are one of the greatest things ever to come from the U.S.A.!!! It started with Gilbert & Sullivan and then came here - all the greats of Broadway and then in Hollywood . Wonderful songs and wonderful shows. Forty Second Street, Miss Liberty, Call me Madam, Porgy & Bess, Carousel, Paint Your Wagon, CanCan (the last two my Dad was in and is on both records :), Pippin, Marat/Sade, and so many more.
Best musical of all time for my money. One memorable song after another. Incredible choreography. Hilariously funny. Great story. And all with the amazing energy of Robert Preston in the lead role. Thanks for posting!
The band is actually the Spirit of Troy, the marching band of the University of Southern California, with additional members of local high school marching bands.
Robert Preston looks like he is having a ball doing this.
You must catch him in Victor/Victoria, then. 😊 He stated in an interview once that these were the two movies he enjoyed making the most!
I met Mr. Preston in Knoxville as I was there on business in 1963..in a bar, we talked everything but movies and my business...as I left and said good bye, he remarked "Billy me boy, when I am gone and from time to time and now and then would ye raise an elbow for poor old Bobby Preston?"I said surely and though I no longer drink alcohol I have kept that promise for nearly 50 years...
What a great story!❤
I gotcha covered tonight on the booze front. Here’s to ya, Mr Preston!
@@charliejdk That's awesome! Drink one for me, too!😄
@@charliejdk heard and understood...Heres to Bobby!
Reading the comments on here I see a lot of people talking about tears.. I really think the reason for all the tears is because this movie being 60 years old really hearkens back to our childhood. The days of innocence and relative peace in our lives.
Absolutely. Also the period of the movie, 1910? Projecting a better time. Very moving for me
Out of a ripoff carrier man idea came... generosity, beauty, magic
When Meredith Wilson had lost all memory from Alheimers...he still remembered every note from the music that he wrote...memorable musical in every way...
A bit ot trivia. Preston served as a intelligence officer in the same bomber group as my father 1943-45. Occasionally Preston would perform in a show in the midwest & send tickets to my parents & take them out for drinks after the show. He also attended some of the unit reunions.
I don't associate with people who don't love this musical. No one needs that kind of negativity in their life.🎼🎶❤🎶
Piece of trivia: In an episode of the TV series Happy Days (1974), Howard and Marion Cunningham are coming out of a movie theater; they pause in the lobby and look at the poster for "The Music Man". Marion comments how much the little boy in the movie (Winthrop) "looks so much like Richie did when he was little". Both Winthrop and Richie were played by Ron Howard.
That's a great little inside joke. I caught it at the time, but I wonder how many people didn't get the connection.
I've always loved it when TV shows give a little wink like that. One of my favourites is early in the original Stargate series when Dr Samantha Carter marvels at how compact the alien device to activate the Stargate is, when it took them three supercomputers to "Macgyver" a jury rigged solution for Earth's gate. When she says this Col. Jack O'Neal (Richard Dean Anderson, who originally played Macgyver) gives her a look.
There's also a famous prank outtake in the first season where Sam and Jack are trapped in an ice cave and Amanda Tapping (Carter) starts going off at Anderson "You spent 7 years on Macgyver and you can't figure this out? You're MacUseless"
@@neils5539 missed it
That's great :) By any chance, did the Cunninghams ever catch any Andy Griffith episodes?
This was the very first movie we saw at a drive in theater. We piled in the station wagon car already in our pajamas with homemade popcorn and puffy blankets and one little speaker attached to the front window. What a magical night and a magical movie.
No one could have played this role but Robert Preston. ❤
Even though Robert Preston originated the role on Broadway, when it came time to make the film the studio wanted Cary Grant. Grant had seen Preston in the role on Broadway, so when the producers approached Cary Grant about the role he said: “Not only will I NOT do it, but if you don’t cast Robert Preston in the lead, I won’t even come and see it.”
Actually, the WB studio initially wanted Frank Sinatra who was already under contract with Warner Brothers. Cary Grant was with Paramount, so he wouldn't have been seriously considered. This has been confirmed by others linked to the film, including Shirley Jones.
@@darkwood777 Not according to Cary Grant who says he was offered the role. Are you calling Cary a liar?!
@@darkwood777 0
I had heard the same story about Cary Grant when he was offered the role of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady instead of Rex Harrison. He said if they didn't give the role to Harrison he wouldn't even see it. Absolutely love the Music Man though. Robert Preston was perfect for it.
@@michaelverbakel7632 How many musicals has Hollywood ruined by going for star quality rather than the talented person who made it famous on Broadway? Off the top of my head: My Fair Lady-casting Audrey Hepburn who couldn’t sing instead of Julie Andrews who certainly could (although Julie Andrews had the last laugh winning Best Actress for Sound of Music); Phantom of the Opera-casting Gerard Butler instead of Michael Crawford; A Chorus Line casting the non-singing Michael Douglas; Russel Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter, Les Miserables; Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (again) in Sweeney Todd; Marlon Brando, Guys and Dolls; Sophia Loren and Peter O’Toole, Man of La Mancha and Pierce Brosnan in Mama Mia come to mind.
I'm in my 30s and the Music Man is still to this day one of my favorite musicals. I saw it performed at a local college when I was like 5 or 6 and it had a profound impact on me. Saw West Side story a million times when grade school age also. Loved King and I and Annie and Peter Pan and Sound of Music and so many others.
I'm almost 62, and I grew up with this movie as it was one of my parents' favorites. I watch it whenever I can and never get tired of it - if no one's around, I love to sing along. The most recent movie that I can recall whose ending can evoke a similar visceral response is the end of "Jersey Boys." Same exuberance and joy.
Crying tears of joy, and for a sadness that we no longer have these positive movies on our screen. I am so glad I grew up surrounded by these wonderful moview!
So very well said.
So much computer generated crap along with
sex and violence now-a-days.
I was just thinking & feeling the same way! I'm 62 & I was remembering when I was in the Bluebirds (pre-girl-scouts) in the small town where I grew up & we marched in the Memorial Day parade that ended at the church cemetery & we all placed our little flags on the graves, what a sense of pride & community we shared. The loss of innocence makes me want to ball my eyes out for the children living through these evil days.
Robert Preston should have won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance.
For me Robert Preston should have won the best actor Oscar in 1962 for the Music Man. Shameful that he wasn't even nominated. He was certainly more lively, emotional and entertaining than the winner that year, Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird. Although that film itself was wonderful, I've always found Gregory Peck to be a limited, boring, unexciting, monotonous, dull type of actor without much emotional depth. He didn't deserve to win for this, though I loved the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The only other guy with a chance that year was Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia.
Robert Preston was THE Music Man. One of the best endings in movie/musical history in my opinion. I never get tired of it.
20 years later, Preston best performance with Julie Andrews & James Garner in Victor/Victoria
His performance of "The Shady Dame from Seville" is the definitive version.
THE GOAT star of the GOAT Musical.
But he doesn't know the territory!
Agreed 💯👍
You hear Seventy-Six Trombones once and it plays on in your mind forever!
Oh yeah. ^___^
I play it at least twice a week for the past 5 years, and I still don't have all the words memorized!
This film features Shirley Jones in one of her finest cinematic performances.
I watch The Music Man and Yankee Doodle Dandy anytime it is aired !
Good for your soul and heart .
We went to the theatre to see this movie in 1962 and I was 13 years old - this scene was so wonderful that it nearly blew us out of our seats!!!!
Little known fact: the producer and director both wanted to reshoot the scene with the winners of the Music Man Band competition! That winner was the Lockport Township High School Music Man Band, of which my brother was a trumpet player. The p/d were so taken with the ability of the band to march in straight lines going up/down, from the side and crosswise! In other words everyone was perfectly situated! I remember so well the band practicing for the competition so this movie is my favorite love, the music, actors all made it the best ever produced!
This film is one of the definitive, uplifting creations of the men and women of our Greatest Generation. Absolutely a Gem and a Golden Moment of Hollywood.
Hollywood projecting a wholesome virtuous image of White America. Compare with the depravity of today.
My high school was so small, our marching band resembles a comma
Warner's back lot never looked better. Just a gorgeous setting.
I watched this movie a lot as a kid, this was one of my family's favorite movies because we are a band family. My dad plays brass, my mom plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and some trumpet. My sister and one of my brothers plays clarinet, two of my brothers play trumpet, the last one plays percussion. I play flute. And my dad is a professor at a college, our last name is Hill, so we have the whole band and professor Hill.
Robert Preston....sheer force of personality !! great role....RIP Robert
The world wasn’t as messed up. No alphabet mafia rampaging on our streets and the like.
Yes! It's hard to think of anyone else who oozes as much charisma as he did.
The look of sheer joy on Susan Luckey's face when the two drummer boys, the drum major and her all transform into those glorious scarlet outfits will never cease to make me smile. She sells it so well.
Ye gods
And little fishes. 🐟 🐟 🐟 🐟
They transformed into the outfits? Literally? Wow, I never really quite saw it like *that* before. 😉🤔🤨
Just kidding.
@@bchertsgaard You watch your phraseology
@@KittyStarlight Forget the uniforms, how did they come up with several hundred extras for the band? There weren''t that many kids in the entire school.
Musicals from the 50s and 60s were just amazing. Happy 60th anniversary to the music man
RONNY HOWARD!!!? Wow! I've never seen the film, and that was a surprise! The boy has had quite a career.
Ahhhh, the glorious Shirley Jones!! Perfection.
Not only a great performance, but Shirley Jones was an absolute goddess. Even as Mama Partridge, she was hot.
This was the Magic of old Hollywood. Colorful, músic, happiness and people exited the movie theater whistling or singing. Wonderful time of músicals.
Agreed!
One word what ever it means WOKE
Need cheering up? This is it. A singular blessing from Hollywood. THX.
This movie is a blessing ,I've watched this since I was a little kid
now
AMEN!!!
Love it! But what a sorry decline for Gary Indiana. From being a good place to live to a city that's just a huge cemetery of dead hopes and dreams.
I agree.
True!!
I'm 64 years old and I NEVER get tired of watching this musical. ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!
I'm 57 and I still love it! When I need a good dose of inspiration and pride, I pull it up! Gets me every time!
Thats cause we understand what the hell they are singing about!!!
@@markbass9402 LOL. That's true!
Well I'm not 64 but I definitely agree an absolute classic
I'm 78 and love this musical ! Watched it many times!
When Preston does the number "Trouble in River City", it is both cinematic history and cinematic excellence. The stuff of legend.
... and "with a gilt-edged guarantee"!
@@tracer740 "and a keen eye!"
Preston was a remarkable talent.
Growing up I did that scene in high school and tried to do him honor.
@@brianschwatka3655 Cool.
I’m soooo glad my parents had us watch these wonderful movies growing up! What class they were!❤️
This sheer, unabashed joy never fails to make me smile.
I saw this movie in 1962 at a matinee in downtown Toronto with my grandma when I was eleven. The Technicolor was amazing and the songs fantastic. And talk about a powerhouse finale!
Idk why but I'm obsessed with the short bit of Shirley Jones running towards the camera, and then her & Robert Preston together. I will forever ship them. My favorite movie musical!
"Not just a slice of Americana, but the whole pie"..I took that line from a movie review book..
You said it BUDDY!...wish things were still like this today!
For whom is this Americana, and aren't you the problem?
@@TheSamm1979 No Sam. Assh@les like you are the problem.
@@tokenjoy No people with your sentence structure are the problem. Also people with your rather straight family tree, it is supposed to branch off.
@@TheSamm1979 HA Ha Ha. You know you are over the target by the amount of incoming flak. Bullseye Sammy De Roach. Bullseye.
This was my father's favorite movie. I also loved it. I'm 66 yo and have watched it all my life and will continue to watch it.
It never gets old.
Cary Grant was RIGHT! I can't imagine anyone else playing that part. For Cary to give up that role to Mr. Preston was a great sign of respect and made the movie all the greater.
My dad (a former elementary school music teacher) loved this movie too. He died a couple of years ago, and I'll always remember him whenever I listen to these songs.
Today would have been my Dad’s Birthday. Watching this- sobbing - smiling and laughing. Miss ya Dad. 🍎💋❤️🎼🥁🥃🍺🌿
Same! Dad used to traumatised and entertain us in equal measure with his public rendition of this!!!!! Loved you Dad.
I think about when I was a kid, I couldn't understand how my mom and sisters loved this and other musicals. They're gone now. This music pops into my head and I'll march along miming a trombone.
One of the greatest musicals in the world. Robert Preston nails it as Harold Higgins. No one can ever play it again
Um, Harold Hill....
Matthew Broderick tried...😟
@@ViolettaD1485 he did. and for the magnitude of the part, he did good, but part of Robert Preston's charm in that role and even in like Last Starfighter when he was quite a bit older , was that he had tons of energy, and for me, the newer wasn't just lacking a bit, it was lots. They may have even been better off getting a little weaker singer who had the energy. Otherwise I liked it. He's quite handsome :)
Harold Higgins was a different musical character he played, and I agree he was irreplaceable in both roles.
@@SymphonicEllen The moment Robert Preston first appeared in The Last Starfighter it was like Robert Preston playing Harold Hill playing Centauri. What a talented actor!
always tears of pleasure at this scene its so happily cheerful,
Saw this on big screen as a kid..
Still moves my spirit!
My favorite musical of all time. There is only one Harold Hill, and it's Robert Preston. My goodness, Shirley Jones is hot.
Tell me about it; she was such a babe.
The Music Man was the culmination of decades of know how accumulated by American stage musicals and Hollywood productions. All that learning of their craft led to the Music Man . It is hard to see how the future will yield something like this again.
This takes me back to a different time...a wonderful time!🤗❤
Robert Preston , Is , Was and Will Always Be the Music Man !
Still one of the best endings in film history.
Ending to MARTY beats them all.
That's what the town always seen. The marching band
No doubt about it!💯🎶🎶❗❗
@@alexkije Marty? Ummm...
Okay, for an old movie with a _really_ powerful ending, try Fail Safe.
ua-cam.com/video/VUZUGTcMRpE/v-deo.html
(Warning: not a happy one)
A tie= endings of..
THE SIXTH SENSE..
BLAZING SADDLES..
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES..
THE USUAL SUSPECTS..
THE BIG COUNTRY..
E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL ....
and
THE PLANET OF THE APES('68)..
I was ten years old when this movie came out in 1962 and I remember it like it was yesterday. Me and my best friend and my sister and his sister walked up town to the Galion Theater to watch it...great memories!
Sure must have been something to see on the big screen. I've only ever seen it on TV.
Back in old River City? Never see those good old days again. This is the new world! Sucks dont it?
A magical ending to a superb musical! Sterling cast! The role of a lifetime for Preston.
Jun 16, 1922-2022...
Dad would be 100 years old today!
And that makes 76 on the anniversary count!
Happy June 16th everyone!
PAUL FINLEY
One of my mystery adventures
LOVE this movie 🍿
PAUL FINLEY
PAMmE 2022
Some good things about this version.
Its primary focus is on the marching band (which is a really really *good* marching band).
But also at the same time there is a lot of concentration on all of the main characters and supporting characters *and* their names are up on the screen in front of them.
Great/terrific *enthusiasm* from everyone in it. From the main characters to people that are just watching on the sidelines, everyone seems to be really *enjoying* this, both as actors and as characters.
Wow.
Have appreciated this for years/decades but perhaps did not quite appreciate it *enough* until now.
Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, and Mary Wickes = perfection.
Yes and Sara seegar (that's my linus ! play to me son!) Absolutely kills me every time. Oh and of course Hermione Gingold!!!!! I wish there were another movie with Mary, Sara and Hermione only!!!!
And Buddy Hackett!
Beautiful..You don't great movie musicals like this anymore..and you don't get truly talented people like Ms.Jones Or Bob Preston.
I disagree that we don't get movie musicals like this, but they are definitely few and far between.
Kevin, my grandmother used to tell me a story about Bob. She would call him for dinner when he was a kid and he wouldn’t come for the longest time and when he finally did come in she’d ask him why it took him so long. He’d tell her “my name isn’t Bob, its Mickey Mack McMichael”. I used to laugh and adored that story. I got to thinking about it when I got older and wondered….he played Mack Sennett in a play and he was Michael in I Do I Do but I never knew if he was ever a Mickey. They weren’t there to ask by the time I started wondering 😢 they were the best family a person could have! Ps I loved your comment ♥️
This musical was genius.
Thanks to Radio Classics on Sirius/XM radio, I came to appreciate the composer, Meredith Willson, who wrote the music and lyrics for The Music Man. Mr. Willson played the comedic foil on the George Burns and Gracie Allen radio program and occasionally his musical talents are permitted to shine through; "There were bells on the hill but I never heard them ringing, no I never heard them at all 'til there was you". Since my wife and fiancée have both passed away that lyric pierces my heart like a dagger made of ice.
To this day Robert Preston is and only is the only real music man
Yes, because Matthew Broderick was boring as the music man. Unlike Preston with his high energy, Broderick is like a battery needing recharging.
Absolutly
He was the one and only.
@Arthur Crunden - It will be interesting to see how Hugh Jackman pulls off the Harold Hill character in the upcoming Broadway revival of this iconic show.
Agreed, but the newer Disney version didn't suck. Mathew isn't Robert, but ...
Magical, musical, uplifting in every way...may it last forever!!!
just scene this wonderful spectacular and it still make e smile and cheers me up no end. the cast was inspired. Shirley Jones was a brilliant Marian and no-one else could play Harold hill like Robert Preston. it was pure magic!
Yes it was magical..
Robert Preston IS The Music Man.. no one else ..
Copy that! However, Bert Parks made a good runner-up on Broadway.
Auditions are this fall, I hope to get Harold hill, or the bass in the quartet
sunnykat11 absolutely
Absolutely!
Look up Hugh Jackman. He does a pretty good train scene!
It’s hard to beat an ending like that!
What an amazing musical!
The only Oscar this wonderful film won was for its fantastic musical score or soundtrack.
Shoud have won best picture imo :) @@michaelverbakel7632 and best actor for Robert Preston
Great to see a parade and no one getting in the way filming with their phones
...this was my dad's favorite musical (next to My Fair Lady)...saw this in 7th grade 61 years ago!!!
I love the ending and watching Robert Preston leading the gang. He gets so into it, i could watch it over and over. ❤
This just popped up on my feed! I haven’t seen this movie in ages and ages. Next month would have been my husband’s 76th birthday 🎉. What a tribute to him🤩
One of the best movies ever, one of the greatest actors ever (Robert Preston), and a great ending to this movie!😊
Robert Preston was in Victor/Victoria and as far as I'm concerned he was the best reason for watching that movie. A tour de force. Hysterical ending.
@@samsam1720 And apparently, you never noticed the lovely and talented Julie Andrews, who sounds better than ever in this movie? What a shame.😒
I have noticed her. I love her and Garner. But Preston stole the show. Imo
Shirley Jones was HOT!
This is how great movies used to be made! Still brings tears to my eyes too!
ok boomer
Themòvieswasverygood
Metal Gear Solid 3: Ass Eater name anything in the last ten years that comes close!
@@abehambino jack and jill (2011) starring adam sandler dumass
Metal Gear Solid 3: Ass Eater ok mellenial.
I was 16 years old and this music was my first real exposure to something other than rock,,,,,, it was wonderful!
Wonderful cast. Watch ‘The Music Man’, ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ & ‘1776’ on TCM each Fourth of July.
Thank the Lord for the Robert Prestons of this world. They carry us off to a new stratosphere.
When Tommy and the two drummers transform... all I can say is "yegads!"
MKIVWWI I am Tommy in my schools play
YE GODS
MKIVWWI You watch your phraseology!
@@anone.mousse674 Paul Ford Forever..
Did you know he did chevy commercials?
It takes me back to when I played the sax in the band in public schools. My parents attended every concert, one place where their pride, love, and collaboration as parents came into full bloom. Definitely brought a tear to my eye. At the age of 82, I still play and perform on the sax, and feel the pride of my mom and dad.
This movie works because it is a story of redemption. The music man, the librarian, the little boy, the whole town.
I always thought of it as a story about how easy it is to rile up people who see things at face value and don't critically think, and how dumb people can be, with redemption only being the theme for the main character. Neither the librarian nor the boy needed redemption. The boy was depressed his father died and ashamed of his lisp, something he was mocked for. The librarian was the subject of ridicule because people thought she was a gold digger because, to the town, there's no other way she could have gotten ownership over all the books in the library when the previous owner, her uncle, died.
I agree with your assessment of those individuals being uplifted. I added my own sense of redemption earlier in the comments section.
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I disagree, the music Man wasn't redeemed because he was not punished. It was brushed aside with the librarian vouching for him. It felt very open ended. Still a nice movie, catchy tunes.
@@kateneonne6757 ,
Perhaps The Music Man is redeemed because he is forgiven and he decides to stop sinning. That sounds like the plan of salvation that God offers each one of us.
One of the few roles where it feels like the role was written for him and there could never be anyone else who could play it. This is a brilliant musical on every level but it’s Ideal for Prestons only. One of the greatest characters written for the stage or screen and one of the best performances. I’ll never tire of it and every time I see it the main scenes are every bit as enjoyable as the 1st time I saw it
I agree wholeheartedly. As much as I enjoyed Matthew Broderick in "The Producers" (he and Nathan Lane make an amazing team), he could not pull off the role of Professor Harold Hill. As you so correctly point out, the role is ideal, but only for Preston.
IIRC Meredith Wilson, or some higher-up, agreed to make the movie only if Preston was cast in the title role. Wasn't he the original Broadway "Music Man"?
And to think, Frank Sinatra, was considered briefly for the role
@@yooneeque1 He was indeed.
Former Hollywood Squares host John Davidson once played Harold Hill in an off-Broadway tour. However, nobody can do it better than Preston.
Definitely one of the classic endings from a classic and amazing musical. When Hollywood gets it right, and they did with this musical, the result is truly MAGICAL. The Music Man never fails to puts a smile on your face, along with a few tears.
Magical is the word, well said.
Right you are Jon -- and thank goodness the late great Meredith Willson (the writer and the composer of the music in this movie) stood his ground against Warner Bros. brass who initially wanted to cast Frank Sinatra in the title role. Willson emphatically gave them this ultimatum:
"NO ROBERT PRESTON, NO MOVIE!"
;-)
@@richardsantalone9380 Thank you for that information. As others have said, Robert Preston was THE Music Man.
@@saturninojosesuarezquintan7476 £Rwanda
ME TOO!!!
Every year we would watch this perfect movie. My mom would make fudge right in time with the fudge scene in the movie. Funny, but it was a surprise and a treat every time to smell the chocolate wafting through the house and realize she was making it! Us littles got to scrape the pot!
Oh yes - Trickle, trickle, trickle!
One of my absolute favorites! Robert Preston is nothing short of a legend in this. I also always thought The Buffalo Bills were up there as well & perhaps never got the credit they deserved for being one of the best Barbershop groups of all time.
I agree
I'm saddened that the Buffalo Bills didn't get to sing It's You in the movie like the Broadway production. So Good!
Actually, they did. The Buffalo Bills won first place in the International Barbershop Harmony Society Championship in 1950. That organization is still going strong today and the most prestigious award a Barbershop quartet can receive comes from that group. Literally thousands of quartets compete each year in lesser contests (district and state), and a couple of hundred winners of those advance to compete in the three day final.
@@charliedobihal3136and I can't argue with that, I'm 77 and live in the UK, but our dad loved this, he was always whistling 76 trombones around the house, sadly no longer with us
@@davidfletcher452 But his whistling legacy lives on.
And if you should ever hear someone whistling "76 Trombones" in the middle of the night on an otherwise calm, still night...well, you will know that it's probably him. ^___^
Meredith Willson was born in Mason City, Iowa in 1902. This was his loving musical memory of growing up in a small Iowa town in a time long past. It was also an expression of his love for American band music. MW played flute and piccolo for John Phillip Sousa from 1921 to 1924. He wrote the book (the story or script), the music and the lyrics. Willson’s 2nd musical was The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Another of his many songs was “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”.
"Till There Was You" from The Music Man was a favorite of the Beatles and they performed the song during their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Thank you. I did not know very much of that before. This is good information. ^___^
(I was almost going to say "good trivia" only it is not very trivial.)
UA-cam is the new IMDb.
That's a *good* thing by the way. ^____^
I was born and raised in Mason City. The movie premier was held there and I remember sitting on the curb watching the parade with the movie's stars go by (I was about 6). I don't live there now, but will visit occasionally. A visit to the library (Willson's house is across the street), the footbridge, central park, etc, is always on the scheduie.
@@lindaedwards6683 Ah, where Marion, Madame Librarian worked!
He helped write the music for Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator.
that's true and i guess inspired about iowa river city and amused when he created the music man as a summer on the fourth of july broadway classic musical to the broadway new york stage.
As for a love of great music in all genres, my parents raised me to have a great appreciation for well made movies in all genres as well. Two of my favorites, this one and Singing in the Rain. Actually was laid up in bed with strep throat for about 2 weeks when cable first came out back in the early 80's and watched both of them. Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Gene Kelly and all the others in these movies. Such wonderful pieces of film, but I couldn't imagine the logistical nightmare for the film crews.
Yeah.Gene Kelly could dance and sing.This is right up there with this musical." Showboat" is good too."Old Man River", is a classic show tune.
I remember doing this play in High School back in 1981. I was privileged to be in the Barbershop Quartet. So much fun!
Two of the greatest pieces of music in American history and I would say in all human musical history: Stars & Stripes Forever and 76 Trombones. And the lyrics to 76 Trombones live up to the music. Every time I listen to it, I cry. I think it hits a certain chakra point... either that or it seems to hit the only optimistic bone left in my body.
Dude...you need to listen to a wider range of music! Two of the greatest pieces of music in all human history??????
@@plucas9324 YES!!
@@Jasper7182009I can agree Stars and Stripes forever is an extremely well written song, as it is John Philip Sousa, but it is not one of the two greatest pieces of music in American history, not even close to all human history. So many of the very old classical songs just blow it out of the water, and then if you go beyond orchestra, again many times over there are better songs. Hell, it isn’t even his best March: Washington Post March, every single one of each branch of the military marches, The Thunderer, The Loyal Legion, The Fairest of the Fair
AGREED 😂
AMAZING, SPIRIT LIFTING, WONDERFUL 🎶
When the kids were playing "Awful" and the parents jumped up with shouts of delight,, "That's my boy!! Every body that's MY BOY!!" That's encouragement that EVERY Parent should give to EVERY child!!
This was my reason for doing Marching band in high school. My parents still to this day does not know my reasons, even with a screwed up ankle I just HAD to join! And I hope when I have kids they will love this musical as much as me
Nagi Naoe101, I hope you had as good a time doing marching band as I did doing this show at 8 years old. So fun!
@@buddy3635 you bet it is! Marching was great until my ankle had me sidelined, but I will always enjoy the fun and uniforms
Great comment. I love when people express themselves as you did. I loved the movie too but I was 15 when i saw it. Too late for me to join band but it did give me an immediate interest in band music.
@@matthewabraham5947 actually every high school has marching band.
I loved marching band and played the trombone as well as the bartering horn
Normally I don't like schmaltz. This was good schmaltz. It was the right amount of schmaltz. I always love this final scene.
Love this scene but my favorite is when Shirley sings Lida Rose mixed in with the Buffelo Bills singing. 😍
Agreed - one of the loveliest moments in any musical, in my book. The way her sweet voice soars over their harmony is just perfect - and how the two separate songs blend into one. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
YES! It's a lovely moment in a wonderful movie. But then, it's full of wonderful moments.
There's the moment when "Harold", at the footbridge dreaming of his band, snaps the stick as he thinks of his lost dream. Then, just before this clip begins, Marian snaps the pointer and hands his dream back to him. It's so simple and so powerful.
Robert Preston was absolutely wonderful in this movie. Trouble with a Capital T. Classic. Love this ending too. What a great movie.
I was six years old in 1962, and we got the vinyl soundtrack. I played it for years, plus got to see the movie at the theatre. Big treat! I read Meredith Wilson's write up on the album, about growing up in Iowa and the memories from his childhood. But my own redemption came when I was about fourteen, watching the movie on July 4th. It occurred to me that a number of the men in this movie were gay. I had enjoyed this movie for so many years, and appreciated the talents all the actors shared with the world. So from then on, I told myself let people live their own lives, and be grateful for a free society that enables everybody to achieve their potential. Seems to have worked out ever since. And I still have the original vinyl, complete with album jacket.
Well said.
I'm 76 today - my Trombone anniversary . All donations gratefully received.
A FITTING END TO A MAGICAL MUSICAL. IT WILL LAST FOREVER.
I woke up with this song in my head and had to watch this. I was in a amphitheater production of the Music Man at 16 and loved it
I was in this play at age 5, and in marching band from grade 7 til college. Oh how the tears well up. I love to play the clarianet!!
Well done meredith...Mr.Sousa no doubt is proud of a member of his band.
This video clip didn't make me cry. Your comment did!
So THAT'S what 76 trombones look like in the Big Parade. I play a King 2B(trombone of 1947 vintage)in a community band in Lake Charles, LA. We're people all ages - some high school, some retired(many music educators too), some active members of the community that get together and play music that appeals to the public like Broadway and Movie themes etc. We have a good time and put on around 6 concerts per year. One for the Fourth of July and one for Christmas or course with appropriate music. It's a blast!
I've got 2 of Kings also, one with a sterling silver bell. They play great, but I still like the slide action on my Bach Strads better. They don't sound better than the Kings, but the slide action in incredible.
Musicals are one of the greatest things ever to come from the U.S.A.!!! It started with Gilbert & Sullivan and then came here - all the greats of Broadway and then in Hollywood . Wonderful songs and wonderful shows. Forty Second Street, Miss Liberty, Call me Madam, Porgy & Bess, Carousel, Paint Your Wagon, CanCan (the last two my Dad was in and is on both records :), Pippin, Marat/Sade, and so many more.
An old favourite childhood music memory.
Hollywood was entertaining and full of talented people once.
Best musical of all time for my money. One memorable song after another. Incredible choreography. Hilariously funny. Great story. And all with the amazing energy of Robert Preston in the lead role. Thanks for posting!
I AGREE WITH YOU
permanently etched into my mind. The song and the color. Robert Preston was the BOMB!
Love it! I have loved this since I was 12 years old…..I’m 71 now!
Still goosebumps seeing that band marching so proudly.
The marching band was played by the USC marching band, I believe.
I changed from Trumpet to Trombone so that I could play this in my band ( Army cadet force) 1962 .Stoke on Trent, England.
The band is actually the Spirit of Troy, the marching band of the University of Southern California, with additional members of local high school marching bands.
Thanks for that! I was just googling that exact question
Me too 😀
You are welcome, glad to be of service.
thank you I was to wondering how many bands and was there atleast one collage band
Love so very much!! so very much!!!
Ron Howard is a fabulous actor / director...impressive that he started so young.