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Parents' Guide to

The Music Man

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Glorious production with gorgeous music, dancing.

Movie NR 1962 151 minutes
The Music Man Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Rachel B.
Rachel B. Parent of 6, 7 and 8-year-old
April 10, 2022
age 16+

Sexual harrassment made me uncomfortable

I grew up with the songs from the Music Man, but I regret watching the movie with my 6-year-old. Professor Harold Hill's courting of Marian amounts to sexual harrasment. The movie makes light of this harrassing behavior in the song "Marian the Librarian." Marian is called an "old maid." Then there is the song, Shipoopi. Shipoopi Lyrics: "Well, a woman who'll kiss on the very first date Is usually a hussy And a woman who'll kiss on the second time out Is anything but fussy But a woman who'll wait till the third time around Head in the clouds, feet on the ground She's the girl you're glad you found She's your shipoopi" I feel so uncomfortable as I watch, viscerally remembering times I have been sexually harrassed. This movie is part of a culture in which a man's role is to pursue, regardless of a woman's wishes, and a woman's role is to protect her virtue by rejecting a man's advances. Ick. Yuck. Also, there is a brief scene of a 4th of July pageant in which townsfolk dress in Native American costume and speak in gibberish. Wish I hadn't watched -- maybe by leaving this review I can make a small difference for another family.
charlescharles
charlescharles Adult
May 3, 2022
age 10+
Doesn't hold up to modern rewatching; Casual racism against native americans, harassing women after being told "no", calling women "hussies" if they kiss on the first date? Not something I'd wanna share with kids. And "Shipoopi" is a terrible ******* song.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE MUSIC MAN, trouble comes to a small Iowa town when con man "Professor" Harold Hill (Robert Preston) arrives, posing as a salesman of band instruments and uniforms. Hill happens upon an old friend, Marcellus Washburn (Buddy Hackett), and is ready to run his favorite scam on the folks of River City. He plans to sell the town on the idea of a boys' band, with himself as leader, get them to order instruments and uniforms, then skip town with the money. But first he must convince the skeptical citizens, including reserved librarian and music teacher Marian (Shirley Jones), who lives with her widowed mother (Pert Kelton) and her shy little brother Winthrop (Ronny Howard). Hill is able to dazzle the town, even Marian. Despite evidence that he does not have the credentials he claims and her certainty that he is not what he pretends to be, she finds herself softening toward him and protecting him. Because of her, he stays too long, and he is arrested. But somehow, the boys force a few sounds out of the instruments, enough for their proud parents. And Harold stays on -- it turns out that all along, deep inside, what he really wanted was to lead a band.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (12 ):

Robert Preston brought his award-winning performance as Harold Hill on Broadway to the screen in this impeccable film, perfect in every detail. In addition to the glorious production, with some of the most gorgeous music and dancing ever filmed, there is a fine story with appealing characters in The Music Man. Marian learns about the importance of dreams from Harold, and he learns about the importance of responsibility from her.

Marian is eventually able to see through Hill's fake exterior and recognizes the positive effect he has on people such as Winthrop and herself. When Harold realizes Marian can love him in spite of his past, for the first time he's able to move on from the notion of himself as a thief and a liar. Each finds the core of the other, allowing both of them to heal and take the risk necessary to make their dreams come true. And, because this is a musical, they live happily ever after.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Music Man was originally a hit Broadway musical. What do you see as being the challenges in taking a Broadway production and translating it onto the screen? Listen to the songs "76 Trombones" and "Goodnight, My Someone" again. They are very much alike, as you can tell when they are sung together. What did the composer want to tell you about the people who sing them?

  • Why do you think Winthrop is so shy at first. What makes him change?

  • How are the values of a typical Midwestern town of the early 20th century conveyed in this movie? Why were the parents worried about their children playing pool? What do parents worry about today?

  • How do the characters in The Music Man demonstrate compassion and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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