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He really wanted to be in that band! He was a prolific child actor and was terrific in everything he did. 
I've seen the film countless times, was a big fan as a kid. I even saw the show performed live, no idea where since I was quite little, but my parents took us, starred Van Johnson and I remember him marching up and down the aisles wearing a red uniform and carrying a baton. 
And when we were little kids, my cousin (who also loved the movie) and I absolutely loved Shirley Jones! We had the album and would sing with it, knew the words to all the songs, LOL. 
I wish I had some idea where we saw the show live, but I can't ask my parents now and my brother is younger than I am. All I remember was that it was in a big tent - somewhere - and Professor Hill was Van Johnson, still remember him marching up and down the aisles during the "76 Trombones" number. And I still watch the movie whenever it's shown on TV, it's a real "feel good" movie for me! 
We also had Mitch Miller - and I know I'm dating myself - but we listened to those too and knew all the words to all the songs.
When I was a little kid, we lived up north for a few years and our house was on the side of a mountain. We had TV, but because the signal was blocked, we only got one channel! So you watched what was on or not at all, LOL. Can you imagine that today?? So listening to records was entertainment. And it was beautiful country, at the northern end of Lake George.
I always say I will buy myself a cake every year, but I always forget.
