THE SOUND OF MUSIC 🤩 

I was a junior in high school when THE SOUND OF MUSIC first premiered in 1965. I remember as if it was yesterday. I saw it at the Palms Theater with some Thespian friends. It was a huge, anticipated event and it did not disappoint. Believe it or not, we sat in front of a group of Nuns. It was such a coincidence. From the first mountaintop view of the Alps swirling before my eyes, I was mesmerized and hooked. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. Every scene uplifted and inspired me. I laughed…I cried…i quietly sang along with the Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s music. I sat holding my friend’s hands hoping the von Trapp family would not be discovered hidden behind cemetery headstones.

The film meant everything to me at the time. I saved the theater ticket and the Kleenex I used to wipe away my tears of joy within my scrapbook that I still have to this day. I dreamed of performing the songs. I knew every single one by heart and sang them a full voice when my mother was at work and I was alone in our house. I secretly dreamed of being Liesl and dancing in a gazebo during a rainstorm. What can I say? I was a very dramatic teenager. THE SOUND OF MUSIC is ageless, still relevant, and absolutely stunning.  

THE SOUND OF MUSIC was nominated for ten Oscars and won a mere five which included Best Picture, Best Director for Robert Wise, Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Musical Score. Not a bad night!  Several of the leading roles had their singing voices dubbed. Captain Von Trap (Christopher Plummer) did not like his solo song EDELWEISS. This was good to know since he was one of the lip-synced voices in the film. The Mother Abbess was played by Peggy Wood was the other. She said she was too old to sing CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN as it should be performed. Also, the high note Kurt sings in SO LONG, FAREWELL was sung by Liesl’s real-life sister. 

What I loved about THE SOUND OF MUSIC was not only the music and cinematography but also the message it delivered to the world. We don’t always know where our paths will lead us in life. It is our job to be open to whatever “gifts” come our way. I also believe the film stated loud and clear to stand up for what you believe. These are important concepts to learn and practice especially today within our divided society. 

Dame Julie Andrews was brilliant in her role as Maria. She brought a sweet innocence and naïveté to her character. Her positivity, radiant smile, intense stares, and amazing singing voice could melt anyone’s heartstrings. She was at the core of the success of this film, yet Christopher Plummer was annoyed with her MARY POPPINS saccharine spirit. He changed his mind after months of being together, and the two of them found their way to a lifelong friendship. Christopher was not happy about accepting the role of the Captain. He thought the movie would flop. He used to call it The Sound of Mucus or even S&M. Thanks to his acting chops, you would never know how he really felt. 

The children were adorable. Even though most of them were American, audiences accepted and believed in their “Austrian” backgrounds. Several more professional singers were added to the mix when they were singing together to make a richer sound. Liesl who was 22, “not 16 going on 17,” had a mutual crush on the Captain, who played her dad. 

An interesting tidbit about the choices of this genius film was the family did not hike over the Alps to safety. They boarded a train to Italy the day before Hitler closed the German borders. If the family had walked across those treacherous mountains, they would have ended up closer to Germany…not Switzerland, but the dramatic ending Robert Wise filmed was spectacular and very Hollywood. Secondly, Julie Andrews wore her hair in that short hairstyle because the hair person “fried” her hair just before filming began, and they had to cut off their mistakes. It begs the question of why a wig was not used instead, but the production team decided to go with her new “look” that became Julie’s trademark. 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC was a musical rom/com classic delight. It had it all…intrigue, grief, comedy, drama, child actors, puppetry, extraordinary locations, opulent set designs, huge musical numbers, romance, and love. It was family entertainment that opened many necessary discussions concerning World War II. It made people think and dream. It will always be a part of our culture as it is rebroadcasted every year. THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a treasure of all time. I look forward every year “to start at the very beginning” and relive cherished childhood memories.