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Poster for The Music Man

The Music Man

Seen it?

1962 | 151 min | Comedy, Family, Music, Romance

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics, anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved Mary Poppins or Amadeus, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Light and funny, romantic.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 31 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 2 hr 31 min.
  • Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Traveling con artist Harold Hill targets the naïve residents of a small town in 1910s Iowa by posing as a boys' bandleader to raise money before he can skip town.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Musical Score (Adaptation or Treatment). Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Written Musical. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 4 more Golden Globes and 1 DGA Award.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $15 million worldwide on a $4 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 158K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Morton DaCosta

  • Robert PrestonHarold Hill
  • Shirley JonesMarian Paroo
  • Buddy HackettMarcellus Washburn
  • Ron HowardWinthrop Paroo
  • Hermione GingoldEulalie Mackechnie Shinn
  • Paul FordMayor George Shinn
  • Pert KeltonMrs. Paroo
  • Timmy EverettTommy Djilas
  • Susan LuckeyZaneeta Shinn
  • Peggy MondoEthel