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.
Directed by Morton DaCosta
hustler
iowa
con man
piano lessons
musical
based on play or musical
marching band
parade
midwest
trombones
traveling salesman
moral reformation
moral transformation
librarian
1910s
barbershop quartet
seducer
long con
woman falls in love
small town america
older sister younger brother
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Robert Preston
Harold Hill
Shirley Jones
Marian Paroo
Buddy Hackett
Marcellus Washburn
Ron Howard
Winthrop Paroo
Hermione Gingold
Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn
Paul Ford
Mayor George Shinn
Pert Kelton
Mrs. Paroo
Timmy Everett
Tommy Djilas
Susan Luckey
Zaneeta Shinn
Harry Hickox
Charlie Cowell
Jesslyn Fax
Avis Grubb
Mary Wickes
Mrs. Squires
Crew
Morton DaCosta
Director
Morton DaCosta
Producer
Dorothy Jeakins
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
156 reviews
Emo Philips
9.0★ · 06/21/26
Mind your phraseology!
Such a light-hearted, cozy movie. I love the songs, I love the look, the costumes are lovely, and the whole ensemble is so fun. I've seen (and been in) the musical, but the ending always gets me - it's no different from seeing your kid play a tree in the school play, you're so proud even though he's mostly just standing there. The whole concept of this film being about the power of manifestation is delightful, from Tommy Djilas (my fellow Lithuanian!), to Marion's mother, to the disagreeable school board turned barbershop quartet.
There's a few scenes that do feel a little static, and the choreography in the library dance feels like it didn't translate well to film, and I wish we had seen a little more of the internal thought from Harold (it goes more unspoken vs a more visible internal conflict), but this is absolutely a classic, and endlessly rewatchable.
Mind your phraseology!
Such a light-hearted, cozy movie. I love the songs, I love the look, the costumes are lovely, and the whole ensemble is so fun. I've seen (and been in) the musical, but the ending always gets me - it's no different from seeing your kid play a tree in the school play, you're so proud even though he's mostly just standing there. The whole concept of this film being about the power of manifestation is delightful, from Tommy Djilas (my fellow Lithuanian!), to Marion's mother, to the disagreeable school board turned barbershop quartet.
There's a few scenes that do feel a little static, and the choreography in the library dance feels like it didn't translate well to film, and I wish we had seen a little more of the internal thought from Harold (it goes more unspoken vs a more visible internal conflict), but this is absolutely a classic, and endlessly rewatchable.
McFly
10.0★ · 05/31/26
once again, banger after banger 🎶
once again, banger after banger 🎶
maria
6.0★ · 04/16/26
i was forced to watch this for drama and i expected it to be worse so im not mad
i was forced to watch this for drama and i expected it to be worse so im not mad
oPRO
7.0★ · 04/15/26
talk talk talk talk bicker bicker bicker
talk talk talk talk bicker bicker bicker
Georgia
7.0★ · 04/13/26
movie musicals used to be a respected and beloved art form and i think we are missing that in today’s society.
movie musicals used to be a respected and beloved art form and i think we are missing that in today’s society.
