Music Man (1962)

Here we are on a slight break from Oscar nominated movies.  Which has been a way of life these last two months.  Two weekends ago I saw two full length movies and seven nominated shorts.  It has been emotionally intense in a lot of ways, so this was a "and now for something completely different".
The movie takes place in the early 20th century in River City, Iowa (supposedly Cedar Rapids), which is an unusually gifted town musically.  Then a con man, Harold Hill, moves to town. His scam is that he sells people musical instruments and the promise of lessons, and once he gets his money, he skips town.  This time however he becomes entangled with a woman who desperately wants to believe in him, to the point where what he says will happen does.  The town's band, with new instruments and uniforms, is able to sound like they have been practicing together for years.  Hill allows them to believe in themselves, and somehow they live up to their best potential.  It is kind of silly at heart, but a real feel good movie as well.  76 trombones in the big parade.....