The Music Man–Part Two

In Part One, we saw how the score and libretto set up the “con.” However, it is one thing to suggest a band, and it is another thing to get the parents to sign up and spend some money to buy the uniforms and instruments. The school board (four men played by the barbershop quartet, The Buffalo Bills) is tasked by the Mayor to find Prof. Hill’s credentials and either authenticate his ability to teach music or to defrock the good professor in public. However, Hill is able to prevent their inquiry throughout his time in River City by diverting them. It is a subtle but interesting plot device to transform four men who don’t like one another and are constantly arguing into a disciplined and tightly knit quartet. While we are not going to provide the first bit of “quartet music” (“Sincere”), we need to note that this is the first “miracle” wrought by Hill.

Hill now devotes himself to winning over the Mayor’s wife and her entourage, known as “The Biddys” in the movie. This group of gossip-hungry matrons proceeds to defame the good name of the librarian, Marian Paroo, by implying that Marian inherited the library books from the town miser by providing him with some of her maidenly “favors.” The song they sing is called “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little” and is presented in a fast, rhythmic manner that resembles and sounds like a bunch of squawking chickens on the loose. Willson then provides a counterpoint melody (“Good Night, Ladies,” which is a folk tune and not one of Willson’s compositions) that is sung by the quartet when the ladies go into their second verse. Here is the movie version.

Of course, Preston must win over Marian, who at first was intent on exposing him as a fraud. However, she is diverted by Hill’s charm, as he tries to seduce her in the middle of the library. We have two versions; the 2000 revival with Bierko and Luker (sorry about the quality of the recording) and a clip from the movie with Preston and Shirley Jones.

Once again the school board tries to obtain Hill’s credentials but instead is tempted into a beautiful rendition of “Lida Rose.” At the same time, Marian is starting to fall for Hill, and sings “Will I Ever Tell You.” Again, in a split screen, both songs are sung in counterpoint to great effect.

Marian has also stopped trying to unfrock Hill as a fraud, because she sees the effect that Hill is having on her ten year old brother, Winthrop. He is overcoming his shyness and his lisp is less noticeable. This is Hill’s second miracle. It is also Hill’s biggest complication, as Marian expresses her appreciation for this one great romance in her life, even as she knows he must move on.

But Hill decides to stay with Marian, even though he will have to face the “music,” so to speak, once the boys fail to play their instruments. While we know that his “Think System” of musical education is a sham, the boys don’t know that and try their best to play the instruments. While the result is not great, it is impressive to the parents. Hill has created a third miracle, providing the confidence to the boys to master the art of musical performance. Hill is applauded, instead of being run out of town on a rail; and Marian and Harold have each other, although one wonders what Prof. Hill will do now that the con is over.

Whatever. Let’s just enjoy the moment and bask in the finale of “76 Trombones.”