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Robert
Preston .... Harold Hill
Monique
Vermont .... Amaryllis
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Directed
by |
Overture |
| In what appears to be a low budget Rankin Bass feature, an animated marching band parades around the screen while the wonderful overture plays. It doesn't feel totally appropriate (Its more "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World") but it does set up the tone of what follows... |
Rock Island |
A trainload of traveling salesmen
talk about innovations in their trade in this oddly titled piece. Wisely, the number
is 'staged' to allow for the brilliant performance and witty banter to suggest the
movement of the train. In the piece we are prepared for the introduction of
Professor Harold Hill, a salesman that the others fear is giving them a bad name...
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Iowa Stubborn |
| Hill attempts to get his foot in the door with the people of River City, Iowa but is thwarted by their stubborn attitude toward strangers. Throughout the number we see most of the residents of the town, especially the hysterically funny Mayor Shinn, Mrs. Shinn and a singing representation of the "American Gothic" painting. By the end of the song, Hill is seated upon his suitcase while the townsfolk sing to him and perform very minimal (maybe even unimpressive) choreography. |
Ya Got Trouble |
Hill feels a new Pool table is the
key to breaking down the towns stubborn exterior. His evangelistic speech is just
the thing to incite his audience with very funny support by his old friend Marcellus
(Buddy Hackett.) Preston's comfort and talent with syncopation and wordy phrases makes
this 'number' a show stopper. Watch for Rance Howard (Ronny's Dad) nodding twice
early in the number.
|
Piano Lesson |
Marian Paroo is giving a piano
lesson to Amaryllis while conversing with her mother. Their converstaion gradually
takes on the melody of the lesson. This is just another example of the creativity
employed in the creation of the musical.
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Goodnight My Someone |
This very simple and pretty song
begins as the last piece... melodically attached to Amaryllis' piano playing.
Eventually, the orchestra picks up and Marian continues to sing to a lone star in the
sky. The scene's direction is very clever and clear. While Marian is singing, we see
her student close-up the piano and get her money to pay, all this is barely visible
through the curtains in the room. As the song comes to an end, Amaryllis comes over and
joins in the last chorus. Finally, as the two ladies sing together all the backlight
disappears leaving them sharply in the foreground. |
Seventy-six |
A brief reprise of "Ya Got
Trouble" takes us into the first HUGE number. Hill, dressed as a band leader,
bewitches the town into seeing the value of a boys band which he can provide for the right
fee. As the excitement grows the teenagers begin some energetic dancing. The
number culminates with the entire town parading down main street.
|
Sincere |
| Hill's 'Pied Piper' has started to get a grasp of his followers. But, he still has detractors. First he tackles the school board. They are insistent on checking Hill's credentials but in the process, Harold introduces them to the wonderful barbershop quartet they never knew they were. The Buffalo Bills bring the quartet to life with beautiful sound, smiles and humor. |
Pick-A-Little |
| Next, Hill has to tackle the
Mayors wife and her cronies. But they prove to be a pushover as well, once Harold
creates the "Ladies Auxiliary for the classic Dance" and appoints Mrs. Shinn
has the chairwoman. Then all he has to do is get them gossiping (like chickens) so
he can make his escape. |
Goodnight, Ladies |
| The "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little" number becomes extremely charming when the school board tracks them down joins in counterpoint singing "Goodnight, Ladies". |
The Sadder but Wiser Girl |
| One of the few standard musical theatre numbers, "The sadder but wiser girl" shows Harold Hill and Marcellus Washburn performing a small vaudeville routine. |
Marian the Librarian |
| And now, Hill tries to tackle his
greatest foil, Marian the librarian. He does this with overtures of love. But,
are they sincere or just a ploy? It's still too early to tell. Now the number
is absolutely brilliant. Filled with great music, lyrics and remarkable acrobatic
choreography... You can watch this over and over again. |
Gary, Indiana |
| Harold did not leave the library
totally confident about Marian so he charms her mother by singing this cute number about
his "Home Town" and "Alma Mater". |
Being in Love |
Marian sings of her dreams of
love, softening up her exterior just long enough for the audience to feel for her.
During the song, her mother listens intently occasionally taking time to put away
the dishes. Otherwise, the number comes across as standard musical theater material.
|
Wells Fargo Wagon |
Oh ho the Wells Fargo wagon is a
coming. Today, when we can do one-click shopping on the internet, its difficult to
appreciate the arrival of an item delivered by wagon. This is a great document of
that excitement. The song has very clever lyrics and fun, easy staging. And greatest
of all is the musical introduction of Ronny Howard (Director of "Apollo 13")
gleefully spitting away his shyness.
|
Lida Rose |
The School Board once again gives
us a pleasant break from the action for a nice barbershop
|
Will I Ever Tell You |
| Marian sings of her new feelings for Professor Hill. Standard fare until the school board sings "Lida Rose" in a tremendous counterpoint. Worth many, many listens. |
Gary, Indiana |
Richie Cunningham... err Opie...
ummm, I mean Winthrop now gets a second chance to show off his musical ability. This
time reprising Hill's Gary, Indiana song with the help of his mom and sister. The
song culminates in Winthrop providing a tap dance. Of course, we only hear the tap
dance.
|
Lida Rose |
| Once again, we have a story transition provided by the school board. |
Shipoopi |
| During this number the plot ... is
totally irrelevant. It's a big spectacle of dancing, singing and costumes. |
Till There was You |
| Marian now confidently offers her
heart to Harold in this beautiful number that actually had a life of its own on the pop
music charts (recorded by the Beatles). The production design is simple and
effective and the constant glimpses of young love frolicking in the background makes for a
sweet 11 O'clock number. |
It's You |
| The School board and the Ladies
Auxiliary for the classical dance are performing for the townsfolk when Cowell, a
salesman with a chip on his shoulder, spills the beans about Professor Hill's credentials,
or lack thereof. |
Seventy-Six Trombones |
| Unaware of the mob out to tar and feather him, Harold sings triumphantly. |
Goodnight My Someone |
| Marian sings this in counterpoint to Harold's Seventy-Six Trombones. Then, as Hill realizes the sacrifice that Marian has made, he takes up the melody of this while Marian finishes Seventy Six Trombones. |
Till There was You |
Harold, unable to leave, sings
this until the mob catches him.
|
Seventy-Six Trombones |
| Finally, everything is wrapped up in a nice little package. The right people are all in love and everyone is happy... Except salesman Cowell who dropped his anvil on his foot. The fantasy band marches the movie off into history... |
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