Trouble in River City Trivia Quiz

Answer: River City, Iowa

River City is modeled after Mason City, Iowa, the hometown of the original creator of "The Music Man". The movie was filmed on an elaborate Hollywood set that painstakingly recreated Mason City in all of its turn-of-the-century charm. The film even premiered in Mason City in 1962.

Answer: Meredith Willson

Meredith Willson originally wrote "The Music Man" as a Broadway Musical, but was very involved in the production of the movie version. Producers of the film wanted Frank Sinatra or Cary Grant to star as Harold Hill, but Willson insisted that Broadway star Robert Preston reprise his role as Harold Hill for the movie.

Answer: Ron Howard

Ron Howard plays the role of Winthrop Paroo, Marian's younger brother. Winthrop is a quiet child due to his father's death and his own lisp. He bonds with Professor Hill, however, and gradually comes out of his shell. Ron Howard went on to star in "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days".

Answer: Piano

Marian gives piano lessons to Amaryllis, a young girl who has a crush on Marian's brother Winthrop. When Winthrop doesn't respond to Amaryllis' crush, Marian teaches her to sing to the night sky.

Answer: Gary Conservatory of Music

"Gary Conservatory of Music, Class of '05" specifically, according to Hill. Mayor Shinn orders the school board to check up on Hill's credentials, but it is Marian who orders the Indiana State Educational Journal and realizes that Hill is lying. She hides this information though, after she realizes she is falling in love with the Professor.

Answer: The Think System

Professor Hill teaches the River City boys that the only way to learn an instrument is to use the "think system." This involves thinking about a song over and over again without ever touching an instrument. Somehow, using this method will teach a boy to play.

Answer: Marcellus Washburn

Shortly after arriving in River City, Professor Hill meets up with his old friend, Marcellus Washburn. Marcellus lives in the local boardinghouse and takes care of the local horses. He has his eye on one of the River City ladies, Ethel Toffelmier.

Answer: False

Professor Hill is about to leave town when an angry salesman arrives and exposes Hill's con game to town residents. An angry mob does chase Hill and take him to a town meeting, but Hill is saved by the arrival of the boys' band. Professor Hill decides to stay in town with Marian to run the boys' band full time.

Answer: False

Marian explains to Professor Hill that Mizer Madison was her father's best friend. He left Marian the library job to make sure that Marian, Winthrop and their mother would be taken care of.

Answer: 76

From perhaps the movie's most famous song:

" Seventy six trombones led the big parade
With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand
They were followed by rows and rows of the finest virtuosos;
the cream of every famous band."


"The Music Man" ends with Professor Hill leading the boys' band through the streets of River City while singing this song.