MovieChat Forums > The Music Man (1962) Discussion > Is the Buddy Hackett character a complet...

Is the Buddy Hackett character a complete idiot?

posted 9 years ago by GuyOnTheLeft
8 replies | jump to latest

We've just come from a scene in which Hackett tells Preston that he has settled down with an honest job because of all the narrow escapes from scrapes he got into as Preston's helper. So it's well established that Preston is a con artist, and that Hackett is fully aware of this.

Next time we see Hackett, he's sitting on the most centrally visible park bench in town, just him and Preston discussing how Preston can get an "in" with the locals. Middle of the day, hundreds of townspeople milling about. So...in a few weeks, Hackett expects everyone to feel burned, and Preston will be gone while he's still there, holding the bag? Ummm...ok?

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[–] TheGuyWithTheFeet 9 years ago

And how will they know that he was involved? He's one of the townspeople. If he's helping Hill, all he has to do later is say, "I'm as shocked as you are".

He's not an idiot at all. He's infiltrated the town.

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

You don't think it looks suspicious that they were hanging out on a park bench, talking and surveying the scene, just the two of them? He's not really "one of the townspeople" (I live close to the Iowa border, and in this part of the world, you had better at least be born here, and preferably your parents too, or you are at best a semi-outsider). And unlike the mayor or the music teacher, there's no reason for Hill to be "working" Hackett's character.

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[–] phantom2-2 9 years ago

do you think that in the several weeks of hill's staying in town that marcellus is the only person he talks to besides marian and the mayor?

[–] TheGuyWithTheFeet 9 years ago

OP should check this out:

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2u4kcqixx1qfdwsio1_500.png

And then come to grips with the fact that...IT'S A MUSICAL. IT'S A PIECE OF ESCAPIST ENTERTAINMENT MEANT TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS. Stop analyzing it and just enjoy it.

[–] phantom2-2 9 years ago

yes, seriously!

some movies need careful analysis. some don't.

this one don't.

[–] film-collector 9 years ago

"You don't think it looks suspicious that they were hanging out on a park bench, talking and surveying the scene, just the two of them?"

What an overly critical and idiotic statement from someone infatuated with Buffy The Vampire.
The guy was a DOOR TO DOOR SALESMAN. Why wouldn't he be talking to EVERYONE in the town, alone, at some point? I grew up in Iowa and your assessment is WAY off. They rightfully don't trust ANYONE, family or otherwise with their hard earned cash.
Quit trolling.

In the frozen land of Nador they were forced to eat Robins minstrels. And there was much rejoicing.

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

What an overly critical and idiotic statement from someone infatuated with Buffy The Vampire.

LOL! Buffy is a vampire slayer; and I've only seen maybe three or four episodes of that show, ever--and none at all in the past, oh, five years at least? So your information is just a bit off, bud!

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[–] murph24 9 years ago

Since no one in town is aware of Marcellus' previous history with Harold Hill, he can simply say he was duped by the traveling salesman - just like everyone else. Marcellus can easily feign ignorance of Hill's intentions: "The guy seemed so likable, trustworthy and concerned about the children of River City; he wanted them to respect their parents and have good moral values. How could I have known he was a con man?"

The film makes it clear no one was eavesdropping when Marcellus was listening to Hill plot his next move. Now, if recording devices had been planted in the park, the livery stable and Harold Hill's hotel room, the situation would be different. But this obviously wasn't the case; remember, "The Music Man" takes place in 1912.