Con man Harold hill travels to the small town of River City, Iowa to earn his fortune. He decides to convince the town that they need a boys' band and then plans to run away once the boys have paid for instruments and uniforms. He even claims to be a professor of music. His scheme is moving along perfectly until Harold falls in love with the town piano teacher, Marian. Even though she knows that he's a con man, she still loves him for the hope that he brought to the town. Harold, on the other hand, is inspired by Marian's goodness, reveals his secrets to the town and becomes an honest man.