The Music Man1962The Music Man
1962
Fast-talking salesman Harold Hill rolls into River City, Iowa, promising to form a boys' band and planning to skip town with the money. But the town's prim librarian sees through him, and the people he meant to swindle begin to change him instead.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A con man who came to fleece a town is won over by its people and by a good woman, and chooses to stay and face the consequences. It is a joyous slice of small-town America with a score children will sing for weeks.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Harold Hill is a con man who lies to the whole town for most of the film; his deceit catches up with him, and love moves him to stop running and face the consequences. Teens sneak out to court and there's mild flirting, so it's worth talking about why Marian forgives him and how he changes.
The Music Man (1962)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Was Harold Hill a good man or a bad one? Did that change? When?
- Why do you think Marian kept his secret?
- Which song would you most like to sing again?
- What did Winthrop learn from Harold, and what did Harold learn from him?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: a con man threatened with tar and feathers; mild language ("heck," "hell"); flirting and kissing.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Music Man Blu-ray
Blu-ray · February 2, 2010
4K UHD announced for 2026-11-24
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.