watching The Music Man (1962) for 1st time and Robert Preston is fantastic

[LessAspin]

4. Frank Sinatra

I recall reading where the movie studios offered the part to Frank Sinatra and a few other big name stars.

To their credit they all insisted that Robert Preston should get the role. Having seen Preston play the part on Broadway they knew he was born to play Harold Hill.

Despite Robert Preston's Tony-award winning performance in the Broadway production, Warner Bros. executives wanted a bankable star in the lead role of Professor Harold Hill for the movie. According to Shirley Jones, Frank Sinatra was offered the part, but Meredith Willson insisted on Preston and threatened to pull the movie rights.

Cary Grant was also approached, but told the Warner Bros. executives, "Not only will I not star in it, if Robert Preston doesn't star in it, I will not see it." Preston got the part, and the movie was a big success, despite Warner Bros' misgivings.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056262/