Professor Harold Hill is the main protagonist of the 1962 film The Music Man. He posed as a bandleader in order to steal money meant to pay for uniforms and instruments.
Appearance[]
In the film, Harold Hill travels on a train to River City, Iowa, among other salesmen who are talking about him and his tricks. Upon arriving, he reveals himself to the salesmen before getting off the train quickly. The people in River City show Harold their stubborn attitude when he arrives in the small town. He eventually runs into an old friend, Marcellus Washburn, who tells him about a piano teacher and librarian named Marian Paroo. Harold then looks for a way to stir up a need for a band in River City, and after learning that the town recently purchased a new pool table, he warns the townspeople about the trouble that it brings to the youth there.
He spots Marian in the crowd of people and attempts to follow her home, but is ignored by being met with stubbornness. The next day, during the Independence Day activities held in the Madison Gymnasium, Harold stirs up the crowd once again about the new pool table. He then uses this opportunity to tell them about his "business" and describes the glory that having a boys' band in town would bring. He also attempts to gain trust by sending Tommy Djilas, a troublemaking boy, off with Zaneeta Shinn, the mayor's daughter.
The school board approaches Harold in order to get his credentials, but he forms them into a barbershop quartet and manages to distract them. Marian continues to ignore Harold, despite his attempts to get her attention. He then inquires some of the town's most avid gossipers about her and hears a false rumor that Marian had an affair with Miser Madison, who gave the town its library. Harold again distracts the school board from their attempt to get his credentials by helping them start singing. Harold then travels to the library and tries to get Marian's attention but when he tries to kiss her she almost slaps him.
Tommy helps Harold spread his business all over town, and soon everyone is talking about it. When the Wells Fargo Wagon delivers the instruments, Harold gives Winthrop Paroo his cornet and he begins to open up more. Harold then grabs Marian and they begin to dance together when Marcellus begins a dance in the gymnasium. Afterward, Marian asks about the music lessons promised by Harold, who knows nothing about music, and Harold responds, telling her about his new "think system".
They arrange that Harold can come by her house soon enough to discuss it. The school board continues to try and get Harold's credentials, but he again leads them into song. Harold stops by Marian's house later, where they eventually begin discussing how their rumors about each other were probably lies. They agree to meet at the footbridge in fifteen minutes and Harold leaves for the bridge while thinking about everything that's happened.
When they both arrive, Marian tells Harold how much she loves him as a result of what he's done for her and this town. Harold plays along, but as he does he realizes that he loves her as well. They are interrupted by Marcellus, who tells him about Charlie Cowell, the salesman who's been spreading rumors about him all over town. Harold promises him that he'll flee as soon as possible.
Marian reveals to Harold that she'd known all along that his business selling instruments was a sham, but she'd kept it a secret. She then tells him that she expects to see him at the sociable. As a result, Harold is left wondering what he's going to do about all of this, especially with his newfound love for Marian. Harold Hill, exposed by Charlie Cowell to the entire town, walks to the sociable while trying to avoid the groups of angry townspeople searching for him. When he runs into Marian and Winthrop, Winthrop calls Harold "a big liar" and tries to run away, but Marian tells him that she was glad that Harold had come to River City.
The two tell Harold to run away, but he replies that he can't. Harold is arrested and brought before the townspeople, but Marian defends Harold and slowly brings the rest of the town to his side. Finally, the boys in the town, in full uniform and band instruments in hand, come marching in. Marian tells Harold to direct the band, which he does, and he stays in River City for good.
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