The Music Man

The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, a traveling salesman who poses as a "Boys' Band Organizer and Leader" which allows him to sell band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash.

Harold Hill

 * You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you're left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering.


 * A man can't turn tail and run just because a little personal risk is involved. What did Shakespeare say? 'Cowards die a thousand deaths, the brave man... only 500'?


 * It means, that America has finally produced a genius who can play the minute waltz in 50 seconds!


 * Never allow the demands of tomorrow to interfere with the pleasure and excitement of today.

Others

 * Zaneeta Shinn: 'It's Capulets like you that make blood in the market place!' Ye Gawds!


 * Mayor Shinn: You watch your phraseology!


 * Mayor Shinn: I can't believe I almost missed this opportunity!" [Short Pause] Wait a minute... I haven't got any son!

Dialogue

 * Harold: Gentlemen you intrigue me. I think I'll have to give Iowa a try.
 * Charlie: Don't believe I caught your name.
 * Harold: (Holds up suitcase with "Prof H. Hill" printed on it) I don't believe I dropped it.


 * Harold: Fine looking animal.
 * Townsman 1: For a horse, yeah.
 * Harold: [Walks off to try again] Good morning neighbor. Could you kindly direct me which way is the center of town?
 * Townsman 2: [Looks at him] Runs right down the middle of the street, away from town.
 * Harold: [Tips hat towards Townsman 2 and turns around] Excuse me friend. Where would I find a good hotel?
 * Townsman 3: Try the Palmer house in Chicago.
 * Harold: [Walks away again] Good morning neighbor. I'm a stranger in your town, what do you folks do around here for excitement?
 * Undertaker: Mind our business.


 * Marsellus: The billiard parlor's just put in a new pool table.
 * Harold: They never had a pool table before?
 * Marsellus: No, only Billiards.


 * Marian: No, please, not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
 * Harold: Oh, my dear little librarian. You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering.
 * Marian: Oh, so would I.

Rock Island

 * Charlie Sings: "Ever meet a fella by the name of Hill?" [In Rhythm, Each a different person]: "Hill?" "Hill?" "Hill?" "Hill? "Hill?" "Hill?" "Hill?" "Hill?" (All but Charlie, Shouted): "NO!"

Iowa Stubborn

 * "But what the heck? You're welcome! Join us at the picnic, you can have your fill of all the food you bring yourself. You really ought to give Iowa a try" Bass Solo: "Provided you are contrary."

My White Knight

 * (Staring out window): "All I want is a plain man All I want is a modest man A quiet man, a gentle man A straightforward and honest man To sit with me in a cottage Somewhere in the state of Iowa And I would like him to be More interested in me Than he is in himself And more interested in us Than in me."

Ya got Trouble

 * (Spoken): "Well, ya got trouble, my friend, right here," (Begins to sing): "I say, trouble, right here in River City Why sure, I'm a billiard player, certainly, I'm mighty proud to say it, always mighty proud to say it! I consider the hours that I spend with a cue in my hand are golden! It helps you cultivate a horse sense; A cool head, and a keen eye. Now folks, let me tell you what I mean; You got 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 pockets on a table! Pockets that mark the difference between a gentleman and a bum! That's a capital B That rhymes with P that stands for pool!"

Seventy-Six Trombones

 * "Seventy-six trombones led the big parade. With a hundred and ten cornets close at had. They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos, The cream of ev'ry famous band."
 * "Seventy six trombones caught the morning sun, With a hundred and ten cornets right behind. There were more than a thousand reeds springing up like weeds, there were horns of ev'ry shape and kind."
 * "There were copper bottom tympani in horse platoons, thundering, thundering, all along the way. Double bell euphoniums and big bassoons, each bassoon having his big fat say."
 * "There were fifty mounted cannon in the battery, thundering, thundering, louder than before. Clarinets of eve'ry size and trumpeters who'd improvise a full octave higher than the score. "
 * "Seventy six trombones led the big parade, when the order to march rang out loud and clear. Starting off with a big bang bong on a Chinese gong, by a big bang bonger at the rear."
 * "Seventy six trombones hit the counter point, while a hundred and ten cornets played the air. Then I modestly took my place as the one and only bass, and I oompahed up and down the square."

