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WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, THE: MEREDITH WILLSON'S THE MUSIC MAN (TV)

Summary

One of this series of Disney movies presented under the umbrella title “The Wonderful World of Disney.” This made-for-television production is an adaptation of Meredith Willson's “The Music Man,” a musical about a con man who finds unexpected love while plotting a scam on the residents of a mid-western town.

The narrative begins in the early twentieth century as a group of traveling salesmen head by train toward River City, Iowa. While leaving the Illinois town of “Rock Island,” the men grouse in unison about stores allowing customers to purchase items on credit, and question if such modernization will put them out of business. Charlie Cowell then relates the tale of infamous con man Harold Hill, and how he moves around the country, selling musical instruments and skipping town without teaching anyone to play. One man, saying that he's been inspired to give River City a try, gets off the train. As he leaves, the name on his suitcase reveals him to be Harold Hill. Charlie vows revenge, saying that he won’t forget Harold's face.

Harold soon meets the less-than-friendly residents, who sing about their “Iowa Stubborn” nature. Nevertheless, they encourage Harold to “give Iowa a try.” Checking into a hotel, Harold runs into his old friend Marcellus Washburn, a retired con man, who knows Harold from his days as "Greg." Harold reveals his plan to gain the citizen’s trust by selling instruments and promising to put together a boys’ band. Marcellus says the residents can't be bamboozled, particularly the prim piano teacher and librarian, Marian Paroo. Harold counters that he’ll create a problem for River City that can only be solved by a marching band's creation.

When Harold learns that a new billiards hall has opened, he warns the townspeople that it will lead to the moral downfall of their children, informing them that “Ya Got Trouble.” After making the parents suitably worried, Harold spies Marian and follows her home -- trying in vain to win her over. Once inside her mother's home, Marian shouts instructions to Amaryllis, a young girl practicing on the piano in the parlor, while simultaneously telling the incurably romantic Mrs. Paroo about Harold in song: “Piano Lesson/If You Don’t Mind My Saying So.” Marian’s eight-year-old brother Winthrop arrives home and Amaryllis, enamored of the boy, invites him to her birthday party; he shyly declines and runs off when she giggles at his lisp. Marian consoles Amaryllis and tells her that she'll find love at the right time, privately admitting to loneliness while singing “Goodnight, My Someone.”

The next day, at Flag Day exercises, the mayor’s eccentric wife, Eulalie, performs a patriotic number for the crowd. The performance is disrupted when "town ruffian" Tommy Djilas sets off firecrackers onstage, and the blustering Mayor Shinn reproaches him. The influence of the pool table is blamed for the bad behavior. Harold subsequently arrives and offers to make the children part of a marching band, describing the excitement of hearing “Seventy-Six Trombones.” The children are quickly won over, but Mayor Shinn has doubts and tells his staffers to track down Harold’s credentials.

Soon, nearly every kid in town orders instruments, gladly handing their money over to Harold. Ignoring the youths' enthusiasm, Mayor Shinn puts the spotlight back on Tommy, demanding that Tommy stay away from his oldest daughter, Zaneeta. Harold defuses the situation by commissioning Tommy to make a wire contraption to hold musical scores for piccolos, then sends him off for ice cream with a pretty girl. Harold's self-satisfaction with his solution is quick-lived: He learns that the girl he chose to accompany Tommy was Zaneeta, and that the mayor owns the demonized pool hall. Just then, Harold is stopped by four members of the school board, all of whom ask for his references. He distracts them by turning the men into an impromptu barbershop quartet, with the group subsequently harmonizing on “Sincere.” Harold escapes and moves on to his goal for the evening: engaging Marian. However, the librarian rebuffs Harold's charms, threatening to find out about his past.

That night, Marcellus compliments Harold's talent for fooling the townspeople, but is surprised when his old pal says that he plans to stay until the July Fourth celebrations. Marcellus notes that people will expect him to teach music, but Harold says that he can convince them to use the non-existent “think method” -- learning music through simple imagination and visualization. Dismissing Marcellus's offer for a date with a Sunday school teacher, Harold says he prefers a woman with a touch of sin, “The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl.” Walking home, Harold is shanghaied into the millinery shop by a group of women. There, he flatters the reluctant Eulalie into leading a dance number on the Fourth of July. He asks the women about Marian; they gossip that she has “dirty books” and recall a "relationship" she once had with a rich older man who left her the library when he died, singing “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little.” The school board arrives with more questions for Harold, but he prompts them into singing “Goodnight, Ladies” and slips away.

The next day, Harold stops by Mayor Shinn’s house and attempts to smooth-talk him into buying an instrument. The mayor recoils and demands that Harold bring his references to City Hall that afternoon. Harold then goes to the library and tries to win over “Marian the Librarian” in song. She briefly imagines them in a glamorous dance, but turns him down again. He subsequently goes to her home and charms her mother, assuring her that Winthrop would make an excellent cornet player. However, Winthrop seems more interested by the idea of a snazzy band uniform.

Mrs. Paroo then asks about Harold’s beginnings, and he explains in song that he is from “Gary, Indiana.” Marian arrives home and is unamused to find Harold there, explaining that Winthrop is in pain over his father’s recent death and tells Harold not to badger him. When he leaves, Marian’s mother chides her for passing up another eligible man. Marian says she wants someone “straightforward and honest,” tunefully describing "My White Knight.”

The next day at the library, Tommy continues to court Zaneeta. Marian is too distracted by her new book, an Indiana educational journal, to notice. Elsewhere, the townspeople sing of their excitement at the approach of the “Wells Fargo Wagon,” all hoping to receive an exciting package from the postmaster. Later, Marian attempts to tell Mayor Shinn that she has uncovered Harold’s background from the educational journal. He ignores her as the Wells Fargo Wagon pulls onto Main Street, with Harold in tow. Harold distributes the instruments to the excited children, and Marian suddenly sees Harold in a new light. When the mayor later asks for Marian's book, she tears out the incriminating page.

At the gym, rehearsals are under way for the July Fourth gala, and the school committee sings “It’s You” as Marian and Harold share a dance. Everyone joins in, but the moment is ruined by Mayor Shinn. Angered at catching Tommy and Zaneeta together, he tries to throw the boy out. Harold sticks up for Tommy, but the mayor dismisses him and tells Marian that the book she gave him reveals nothing. At the ice cream parlor, Marian expresses her appreciation of Harold’s defense of Tommy, but asks why she has never heard her brother playing his instrument. Harold starts to explain about “the think method,” when Eulalie and her friends enter. They accept Marian for the first time, noting her flirtation with Harold, and reprise “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little.”

The school board quartet, newly deputized by Mayor Shinn, corner Harold anew to ask for his credentials, but he diverts them by leading a chorus of “Lida Rose.” Walking home after closing the library, Marian struggles with her feelings for Harold, singing “Will I Ever Tell You?” Marian’s mother pushes her to confront Harold, helping Marian realize the positive affect he has had on the town. Further evidence arrives via Winthrop’s happy disposition, which he displays in a reprise of “Gary, Indiana.”

The reverie is broken as Charlie arrives on Marian's doorstep. He tells her that Harold is a fraud and that he can prove it, pointing out that no one has ever heard any music from him. Marian tries desperately to stop Charlie from revealing the truth about Harold to Mayor Shinn, but is distraught when hearing that Harold regularly charms the town music teacher as part of his con. Charlie then races off to make his train. When Harold shows up unexpectedly, Marian tries to find out the truth. Instead, she opts to trust him. To her mother's joy, Marian agrees to meet him in an hour at the town's most romantic spot, the footbridge.

Arriving there early, Harold reflects on his actions and regrets swindling Winthrop and the other children. He is distracted by Zaneeta, who brings him to Marcellus’s performance of Chicago's latest dance craze, the “Shipoopi.” Harold spots Marian as all the locals, including Mayor Shinn and his wife, join the dancing. Marian and Harold sneak off for a private moment at the bridge and acknowledge their feelings while singing “Till There Was You.” Marcellus briefly calls Harold away to deliver the money collected from the just-arrived band uniforms. Afterward, Marian tells Harold that she’s known all along that his claims are bogus. Saying that she doesn't care, Marian gives him the page she ripped from the Indiana journal and the two share a kiss before parting. As he reprises “Seventy-Six Trombones,” Harold fleetingly believes his scheme has worked. He then realizes that he cannot betray Marian as each reprises “Goodnight, My Someone.”

The next day, the mayor interrupts dance rehearsals to bring Charlie onstage. He tells the townspeople that they are all being conned. The locals grow angry and demand their money back. Marcellus races to warn Harold, and a distressed Winthrop witnesses Harold sneaking out his hotel window. Harold turns up at Marian’s house and admits that he lied, but Marian focuses on his positive effects on the town. Rather than flee, Harold explains his actions to Winthrop, then embraces Marian, reprising "Till There Was You."

Harold surrenders to the angry mob and is taken to the gym to face retribution; there, the mayor derides him as a criminal, encouraging the people to punish him. Marian steps forward and tells how Harold brought happiness to River City. Everyone from Mrs. Paroo to Eulalie subsequently vote for Harold's release. Mayor Shinn angrily demands to see the band that Harold promised, and Marcellus brings in the children, dressed in their fancy band uniforms. At a loss, Harold encourages the children to “think” and they all begin to play — badly. However, the parents are so pleased by the children’s efforts that no one seems to mind.

A year later, Harold -- in a band leader's uniform -- marches with the musically gifted children in River City's Fourth of July parade. Tommy, now a fireman, openly blows a kiss to Zaneeta on the suffragette's float -- an action that goes unnoticed by the blissfully engaged Mayor Shinn and Eulalie. Marian then runs out of the newly established "Prof. Harold Hill's Musical Emporium" and joins Harold to lead the parade together, arm-in-arm. Also included are comments from Disney president Michael Eisner, who previews the March 9 "Wonderful World of Disney" presentation of the animated feature "Tarzan.” Includes commercials.

(Network varies; this series was also telecast on NBC from 1961 to 1981 and on CBS from 1981 to 1983.)

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: February 16, 2003 7:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 2:55:39
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:77615
• GENRE: Musical
• SUBJECT HEADING: Musical; Comedy; Romance
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2008
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Meredith Willson's The Music Man" soundtrack
  • TV - Commercials - "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Sweet Home Alabama" home video
  • TV - Commercials - AT&T Wireless calling plans
  • TV - Commercials - Advil pain reliever
  • TV - Commercials - Berry Burst Cheerios cereal
  • TV - Commercials - Betty Crocker meals
  • TV - Commercials - Bissell vacuums
  • TV - Commercials - Campbell's soups
  • TV - Commercials - Carnation Good Start baby formula
  • TV - Commercials - Chevy automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
  • TV - Commercials - Cottonelle toilet paper
  • TV - Commercials - Crest toothpaste
  • TV - Commercials - Denavir cold sore medication
  • TV - Commercials - Disney World theme parks
  • TV - Commercials - Dr. Pepper soft drinks
  • TV - Commercials - Eclipse breath strips
  • TV - Commercials - Fancy Feast cat food
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - GE Medical Systems information technology
  • TV - Commercials - Girl Scouts organization
  • TV - Commercials - Glad storage bags
  • TV - Commercials - GoRVing.com recreational vehicle website
  • TV - Commercials - Hershey's Kisses candy
  • TV - Commercials - Jergens lotion
  • TV - Commercials - Johnson & Johnson baby products
  • TV - Commercials - Kia automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Kraft macaroni and cheese
  • TV - Commercials - Kraft salad dressing
  • TV - Commercials - L'Oréal mascara
  • TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Max Factor lipstick
  • TV - Commercials - Maybelline lip gloss
  • TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - National Fatherhood Initiative organization
  • TV - Commercials - Nivea wrinkle cream
  • TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Oreo cookies
  • TV - Commercials - Oxi-Clean stain remover
  • TV - Commercials - Pampers diapers
  • TV - Commercials - Pasta Roni meals
  • TV - Commercials - Payless shoe stores
  • TV - Commercials - PediaSure baby formula
  • TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Prego spaghetti sauce
  • TV - Commercials - ReMax realtors
  • TV - Commercials - Reynolds Wrap foil
  • TV - Commercials - SC Johnson products
  • TV - Commercials - State Farm insurance
  • TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Tropicana orange juice
  • TV - Commercials - Tylenol pain reliever
  • TV - Commercials - Verizon Wireless calling plans
  • TV - Commercials - Vicks NyQuil cold medication
  • TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Volunteers of America organization
  • TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
  • TV - Commercials - Welch's grape juice
  • TV - Commercials - Yoplait Whips! yogurt
  • TV - Commercials - Zyrtec allergy medication
  • TV - Promos - "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter"
  • TV - Promos - "According to Jim"
  • TV - Promos - "Alias"
  • TV - Promos - "Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexist People"
  • TV - Promos - "Dragnet"
  • TV - Promos - "I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!"
  • TV - Promos - "Less Than Perfect"
  • TV - Promos - "Life With Bonnie"
  • TV - Promos - "Living With Michael Jackson"
  • TV - Promos - "My Life Is a Sitcom"
  • TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
  • TV - Promos - "PrimeTime"
  • TV - Promos - "Profiles From the Front Line"
  • TV - Promos - "The Bachelor: Aaron and Helene Tell All"
  • TV - Promos - "The Bachelorette"
  • TV - Promos - "World News Tonight With Peter Jennings"

CREDITS

• Neil Meron … Executive Producer
• Craig Zadan … Executive Producer
• Jeff Bleckner … Co-Executive Producer, Director
• John M. Eckert … Producer
• Meredith Willson … Writer, Based on a story by, Music by, Lyrics
• Franklin Lacey … Based on a story by
• Sally Robinson … Adapted by
• Danny Troob … Music by
• Michael Kosarin … Conductor
• Kathleen Marshall … Choreographer
• Vince J. Pesce … Choreographer
• Matthew Broderick … Cast, Harold Hill
• Kristin Chenoweth … Cast, Marian Paroo
• Debra Monk … Cast, Mrs. Paroo
• David Aaron Baker … Cast, Marcellus Washburn
• Linda Kash … Cast, Alma
• Patrick McKenna … Cast, Charlie Cowell
• Cameron Monaghan … Cast, Winthrop Paroo
• Victor Garber … Cast, Mayor Shinn
• Molly Shannon … Cast, Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn
• Clyde Alves … Cast, Tommy Djilas
• Cameron Adams … Cast, Zaneeta Shinn
• Megan Moniz … Cast, Amaryllis
• Richard Fitzpatrick … Cast, Constable Locke
• Peter Luciano … Cast, Jacey Squires
• Marty Beecroft … Cast, Ewart Dunlop
• Joe Heslip … Cast, Olin Britt
• Glenn Coulson … Cast, Oliver Hix
• Janine Theriault … Cast, Ethel Toffelmier
• Tannis Burnett … Cast, Maud
• Jenni Burke … Cast, Mrs. Squires
• Janet van de Graaff … Cast, Pick-a-Little lady #5
• Sharron Matthews … Cast, Pick-a-Little Lady #6
• Derwin Jordan … Cast, Salesman #1
• Timm Zemanek … Cast, Salesman #2
• Juan Chioran … Cast, Salesman #3
• Jeff Pustil … Cast, Salesman #4
• Cliff Saunders … Cast, Salesman #5
• Gerry Quigley … Cast, Card player #1
• Greg Ellwand … Cast, Card player #2
• Sheri Godfrey … Cast, Sadder but Wiser Girl
• Boyd Banks … Cast, Conductor
• Shawn Byfield … Cast, School Band Member #1
• Jason Wise … Cast, School Band Member #2
• Rod Campbell … Cast, Shopkeeper
• Ron Kennell … Cast, Bar patron
• Duff MacDonald … Cast, Barber
• Ben Hollingsworth … Cast, Honeymooner
• Arlene Duncan … Cast, Town Woman
• Harrison Wayne … Cast, Town Boy #1
• Jeff Dimitriou … Cast, Town Boy #2
• Paul Becker … Cast, Town Boy #3
• Greg Farkas … Cast, Town Boy #4
• Lucas Beaver … Cast, Town Boy #5
• Raquel Cadilha … Cast, Town Girl #1
• Shaunna Hamat … Cast, Town girl #2
• Danielle Benton … Cast, Town Girl #3
• Mark Cardarelli … Cast
• Melissa Cellitti … Cast
• Johnie Chase … Cast
• Roger Clown … Cast
• Phil Cook … Cast
• Grant Cowan … Cast
• Mia di Lena … Cast
• Austin di Iulio … Cast
• Reginald Doresa … Cast
• Sarah Dort … Cast
• Michael Dunston … Cast
• Naomi Emmerson … Cast
• Alex Fallis … Cast
• Ashley Fenster … Cast
• Janet Field-Moose … Cast
• Catherine Fitch … Cast
• Katherine Andrea Flores … Cast
• Jordan Francis … Cast
• Graeme Goodhall … Cast
• Joanna Gordan … Cast
• Corey Gorewicz … Cast
• Philip Douglas Kerr … Cast
• Serge Kushnier … Cast
• Michelle Bianca Lee … Cast
• Ashley Leggat … Cast
• Krista Leis … Cast
• Aaron Libfeld … Cast
• Tabitha Lupien … Cast
• Bill Lynn … Cast
• Scott MacDonald … Cast
• Larry Mannell … Cast
• Stacey Martin … Cast
• Christopher Mayo … Cast
• Katie McCrory … Cast
• Karen McDonald Jules … Cast
• Phillip Nero … Cast
• Paul O'Sullivan … Cast
• Kelly Phillippe … Cast
• Frances Rowe … Cast
• Avery Saltzman … Cast
• Sierra Chin Sawdy … Cast
• Ryan Silvestri … Cast
• Ted Simonett … Cast
• Shane Simpson … Cast
• Melissa Thomson … Cast
• Taylor Thoroski … Cast
• Vincent Tong … Cast
• Geoffrey Tyler … Cast
• John Watson … Cast
• Jesse Weafer … Cast
• Clyde Whitham … Cast
• Christopher Wilson … Cast
• Barrie Wood … Cast
• Ericka Yang … Cast

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