The Sound of Music (1965)

One of my favorites, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer had great chemistry and a lifelong friendship.

Plummer, a notorious grump on set, never said anything negative about Julie.

It IS The Sound of Music!

I love their dance

The Sound of Money.

Plummer and Andrews discussing the film, how posh

Team Baroness!

Baroness team.

Eleanor Parker was one of the most beautiful women who ever lived

[quote]Plummer, a notorious grump on set, never said anything negative about Julie.

Didn't he say that working with Julie was like getting hit over the head with a Valentine card?

This is a pretty good documentary from the 1990s about the making of the film to commemorate its then 30th anniversary.

You cunt face.

The Sound of Music was one of the first grown-up films I remember seeing (yes - I'm an Elder Gay...) I don't think I saw it when it first came out (I would have been 5) but maybe a few years after. I do, though, remember feeling all tingly "down there" when Christopher Plummer was on the screen. I was a HOMO from early on...

R12, I reacted that way to Rolf and Frederich.

R13: I agree with you

Peggy Wood hit me in the head with a fondue pot.

It's a perfect film

A letter from the Baroness...

Probably the best musical film ever made

It's one of the best film adaptations, even improving on the original stage show, which is a bit of a snooze.

All of the changes that screenwriter Ernest Lehman made were for the better.

The scenery and cinematography also help a lot; you can't recreate that in a theater.

How don’t understand how Maria became so calm and responsible, basically a different person, after she was repeatedly fucked on her honeymoon. Was that all that was needed to solve a problem like Maria?

“How” = “I”

We’re all Capt von Trapp “in a world that’s dying” if we don’t vote Biden in spite of his age and other imperfections. We have no escape to Switzerland-NATO will crumble if Trump gets back in WH.

R22, you’re like the Gauleiter Hans Zeller, injecting politics when everyone is trying to have a good time.

“You flatter me, Captain.”

“How clumsy of me. I meant to accuse you.”

R22 Tomorrow belongs to me!

The movie cut out two entertaining, clever, and catchy songs from the stage show - There's No Way to Stop It and How Can Love Survive - and added a piece of total schmaltzy drek so undistinctive and unoriginal you can sing along with it the first time you even hear it - Something Good.

I'm a a Julie Andrews fan. I'll watch the movie for her and Christopher Plummer, but I'll listen to the original Broadway soundtrack.

I like actually seeing Marni Nixon.

Sorry, r26, you lost us at:

[quote]but I'll listen to the original Broadway soundtrack.

"Something Good" is a huge improvement over the horrible song the Broadway score had in that place, "An Ordinary Couple," which is basically a dirge.

R28 it's a good recording.

It is such a timeless love story! The man chooses the Fräulein over the Frau.

Let me pack my little bag and go back to Vienna where I belong.

The Baroness was cheap!

Who gives someone a fountain pen as a wedding present?

Especially to your husband.

Don’t forget your harmonica, Baroness!

Darling, Haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called boarding school?

I went to a small Catholic school back in the days (early 70's) when nuns still wore habits - some were old school with the full black long dress, etc. but others were transitioning to just the headpiece and a simple dress. We occasionally had movie day in the auditorium and SOM was one in regular rotation and I think a lot of the nuns were putting themselves in Maria's shoes. We also got The Trouble with Angels a lot.

I still can't believe Luisa bagged Robert Ulrich. Lucky minx, except for the widowhood part. And then she died too.

R37 I can't believe that two of the Von Trapp kids all of the adult leads (except for Julie Andrews) are already dead!

Meanwhile, Bonnie & Clyde came out only two years later and Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman, and Estelle Parsons are still with us.

Hackman and Parsons are even in their nineties, with Parsons pushing 100.

For whatever reason, I've never seen it.

It's one of a number of otherwise classic must-see films which haven't grabbed me. GWTW was another one of those, until perhaps two years ago, when my best friend and I finally took it in.

TCM helps me make up for lost time; I simply put the films missing from my viewing curriculum on the DVR, and then watch them at my leisure.

But I'm not sure I've ever noticed 'The Sound of Music' airing on TCM.

We don’t care what films you haven’t seen

I was surprised but the obc is very wonderful except for that truly horrible An Ordinary Couple. Liked it when I heard it many years ago and put it on recently. And yes as wonderful as I remember. Of course my sisters and I grew up with the movie and the movie soundtrack album and a sister of mine said she thinks the obc is better.

It's great hearing the two cut songs. They are very good. But they were right to have cut them from the movie though How Can Love Survive is used as a waltz at the party. And there are actually people who prefer An Ordinary Couple to Something Good. But Something Good is so beautiful as it underscores the opening credits.

1965 was quite a year for Richard Rodgers. Waltz for him was a total nightmare and SOM turns out to be the biggest film hit ever. I would have been drinking like a fish too having to deal with Laurents, Sondheim, and Dexter ganging up on him.

True story (as recounted by the NY Times):

[quote]ON the afternoon before the opening of the Group of 7 summit meeting in 1983, James Baker, the White House chief of staff, dropped in on Ronald Reagan to deliver a briefing book. The United States was the host of the conference, the only one held on American soil during the Reagan presidency; the administration had pre-emptively billed the meeting as a triumph; and Baker, worried about his boss's lack of preparation and aware that "Reaganomics" wasn't universally popular, had taken a lot of trouble compiling the briefings, which were both concise and comprehensive. On returning the next morning, Baker was furious to discover that the book lay exactly where he had left it -- and confronted his boss with his failure to do his prep. Reagan's unflustered reply: "Well, Jim, 'The Sound of Music' was on last night."

Alternate ending.

ITA, R26.

I grew up listening to the OC recording of this and Camelot. Julie Andrews was Guinevere… she just is NOT Maria. As for Eleanor Parker… ugh. A few years later, she sounded like Lucille Ball.

So are you saying Mary Martin should have done the film?

I love this movie. Capt. Von Trapp so handsome. The puppet show. Julie Andrew's great tits and waist in her soaked governess outfit. It is really a perfect film.

In her last year, my 91-year-old mother enjoyed watching the SoM wedding scene over and over. She just loved Christopher Plummer!

[quote] Let's discuss the film that continues to win the worldwide affection of millions since it's premier almost 60 years ago.

Oh dear. Double.

Correct: its premiere, not it's premier.

[quote]I still can't believe Luisa bagged Robert Ulrich

Oh, dear.

[quote]Correct: its premiere, not it's premier.

Hide in the cemetery, it's the Grammar Nazis.

When is the 4K restoration of this film coming?!

Remember when Julie and Christopher did On Golden Pond live?

Should Maria have been a contralto like Mary Martin instead of a sterling silver soprano like Julie Andrews?

Friedrich was outspokenly anti-Trump on Twitter. Marta was the opposite, big time MAGA.

How would Sound of Music have been if Shirley Jones had played Maria?

R55 Well, Friedrich married an Aussie in the '80s and has been residing Down Under ever since.

The rest remained in the USA, save for Louisa, who went back to her native Canada.

[quote]Should Maria have been a contralto like Mary Martin instead of a sterling silver soprano like Julie Andrews?

The actual Maria von Trapp sounded like Millie Jackson.

My taint is alive with the sound of music

The actual Maria was a pain in the ass at the convent. They were happy to get rid of her, apparently.

The ending is rather confusing, as the family flees the Nazis but head over The Alps in the direction of Germany.

In real life, the von Trapps took the less strenuous option of simply boarding a train bound for Italy.

Agree with the above posters who miss “How Can Love Survive?” It’s a great song. I do like “No Way to Stop It” also but think it would have slowed momentum in the film. And lord knows, when the Captain and Maria profess their love and then get married and then come back from the honeymoon, the movie has slowed down enough.

I love How can love Survive? and No Way to Stop It, but it made sense to have cut all the Baroness's songs. The fact that Maria sings and coaxes first the children into singing and the Captain into singing again works very well thematically--it makes it clear how much she belongs with him and his family. That would not work as well if the Baroness also sang.

R51 actually it’s spelling, not grammar. Not that you’ll know the difference.

Give it a rest, R64. You were being obnoxious and you were called out for it. Now shut up and stop derailing the thread in a cry for attention.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters was their best song.

[quote] Bridge Over Troubled Waters was their best song.

Another inane comment by the “oh look, another trump thread” troll

Figure out how to check a book out of the library yet, asshole?

As it happened, it wasn’t me, R65.

r64 is correct. r65 is whining.

[quote] Another inane comment by the “oh look, another trump thread” troll Figure out how to check a book out of the library yet, asshole?

R67, will you marry me? I need your energy in my life.

I used to constantly sing all the songs from SoM on karaoke as a child. I’m sure I drove my parents crazy.

I loved the lilac dress that Liesl wore in the gazebo scene

The baroness was always my favorite character and I still aspire to be her to this day

"Why georg, had I known your children were so musical, I'd have brought my harmonica!"

Perfectly delivered by Eleanor Parker. Her performance is so funny because it's on the subtler side.

Do you think the Baroness would have married?

The baroness (Eleanor Parker) in the movie was absolutely beautiful. Reminds me of Tippi Hedren.

Eyebrows look too harsh in this photo.

Loved Eleanor in Caged (1950) Lizzie (1957) Eye of the Cat (1969) and An American Dream (1966) aka See You in Hell, Darling

[quote]The actual Maria was a pain in the ass at the convent. They were happy to get rid of her, apparently.

So was the film Maria. There’s a whole song about it.

[quote] "Why georg, had I known your children were so musical, I'd have brought my harmonica!"

That’s not the line, and it’s directed at Max

Baroness: Why didn’t you tell me?

Max: What?

Baroness: To bring along my harmonica

[quote] So was the film Maria. There’s a whole song about it.

I think it was different, though. The character in TSOM was lovable. Apparently, the real Maria was kind of unpleasant and cantankerous.

The film's details are largely false.

Liebste Mama!

I thought Leisl's dress was light pink in the gazebo scene. I love how it moves with the dancing. She was gorgeous and a beautiful voice too.

Who was the lesbian in this?

The housekeeper

[quote] The housekeeper

R60 no shit? Tell me more about that.

The obvious lesbian was Sister Berthe, of course.

She was even a mechanic who sabotaged the Nazis' car engines at the end.

All the nuns were lesbians, naturally.

My pussy won’t be denied

As a knoll, I find the lyrics of the title track triggering and problematic. It reflects a colonial mentality to assert —inaccurately — that the hills are alive. This is cultural appropriation and instills in me a sense of violation and danger. Please educate yourself.

This was always my favorite song

[quote]I loved the lilac dress that Liesl wore in the gazebo scene

And I'm sure you stitched up a copy for yourself from a Butterick pattern on Mom's Singer.

[quote]Do you think the Baroness would have married?

Bitch, please. She was a fag hag.

She would have married just to keep all that lovely money in the family

I've always just assumed the Baroness would become the mistress of one of the high-ranking Nazis, like Captain Zeller.

the Pratt Family Singers

Butt Crusher

I'm just here to say that the annual SOM Sing-a-long at The Hollywood Bowl (hosted by the always hilarious Melissa Peterman) is a BLAST! If you're ever in L.A. in late-September, you should go. When 17,000 people start singing Edelweiss, it'll give you goosebumps.

If you look at the marriage, now, Von Trapp married someone who would take care of 7 children, for free.

I see a woman who wanted to be the OG Real Housewife of Auschwitz.

It was a massive hit with audiences, no surprise it won Best Picture.

The hills are alive with the sound of farting

R53, 2001 isn't remembered but for one event.

R102 which event?

The theatrical premiere of “How High,” Rose!

R104 I was thinking that movie where they dirty danced.... what is the name again?

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". And when they dirty danced, it was filthy.

You know how disappointed I was to find out Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical?

I'm brown paper packages tied up with string.

If you watch The Sound of Music backwards...

R97 I am actually going to be in LA that night! Have you been? Can you take a picnic and booze?

Cool, R110, you should go! I have been a few times, and yes, you can take in food & beer/wine. Go early for the costume parade/contest -- so much fun!

^^ signed, R97

Plummer wasn’t much of a fan of the movie.

I liked the title song as sung by Andrews more than the original by Martin. It’s such a great opening and much more powerful.

I just remembered that I have a DVD of the Carrie Underwood version. Has anyone watched that recently and did it maybe get better with age?

Thanks r97 😘

[quote] Plummer wasn’t much of a fan of the movie.

Later in life he recanted his dislike for the movie. He said he adored working with Julie Andrews, whom he had expected not to like, and that he came to understand how much the movie meant to people, and so he was glad he had done it.

Underwood’s singing was good and strong. Her acting sure wasn’t.

R117 Plummer has said he was in awe of her class and professionalism on set.

Andrews said the film need Plummer to bring the film down to Earth.

Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in 2000

R120 high brow vs. low brow

R26, one of those songs (I THINK it’s “Survibe”) is played as incidental music by the orchestra at the Von Trap manse during the party scene.

I like both songs you mention. A lot, actually. But the film didn’t need them. Those songs are brutal, making the Baroness and Max even more unsympathetic. I think removing the songs was a terrific, bold choice by the filmmakers. The film really does improve upon the stage show.

R20, I don’t know about you. But once I started getting regularly plowed by the son of my building’s super, I was able to balance my checkbook, get through grad school, master “Rhapsody in Blue” on the piano, AND leave therapy. It’s really remarkable what good cock will do.

How do you solve a problem like Maria? You fuck her.

In the show, My Favorite Thibgs is a duet between Maria and Mother Superior. Stupid. Much better with the kids — and it so subtly starts in the film, it’s glorious.

[quote]In the show, My Favorite Thibgs is a duet between Maria and Mother Superior.

Even though the nuns just sang a song bitching about Maria singing in the abbey.

I never understood that.

[quote] "Something Good" is a huge improvement over the horrible song the Broadway score had in that place, "An Ordinary Couple," which is basically a dirge.

Like a broken arm is better than a broken leg.

The best critique I ever heard of this film was made by a child sitting behind me. When "INTERMISSION" flashed on the screen, she said: "You mean there's MORE?!?!"

She said it, not me.

It is actually 2 films, isn’t it? - A romance about a nun who cheats on Christ by shacking up with a sexy widower, and then a war picture about a family escaping from the nazis, the twist in the tail being that they have no orienteering skills and therefore embark on a hike into the heart of the Reich.

I’m waiting for the sequel, in which the von Trapps plan their escape from Colditz, with the Captain in a really cool leather jacket and poor Friedrich having to be left behind after he goes blind while forging Swiss passports.

[quote] I'll listen to the original Broadway soundtrack.

Oh, dear....!

[quote]since it's premier

Oh je.

Christopher Plummer was famously quoted back in the day calling it "The Sound of Mucus."