Mx. Chara Aznable (they/them) of Pnictogen on Nostr: Because *The Music Man* was publicized for *years*, flogged round both as a hit ...

Because *The Music Man* was publicized for *years*, flogged round both as a hit Broadway show and then as a roadshow movie, with who knows how many albums sales and cover versions of the music and the songs, Trouble (right here in River City) attained a virtually immortal status, remembered as an item unto itself long after the context has been mostly forgotten.

So did Robert Preston, who originated the Broadway role of "Doctor" Harold Hill (Harry Hill? Hank Hill? uh never mind) and who was lucky to get the film role, because he was a minor actor who'd never headlined a blockbuster movie before. Preston's fame was cemented by his *Music Man* performance. He's the fast-talking salesman who tempts Lance Guest into becoming the pilot of *The Last Starfighter*—Preston's last role, which was clearly a bit of a homage to his breakout performance.