Key Takeaways:
- The Sound of Music movie, based on the true story of the von Trapp family, was released 60 years ago.
- Although 20th Century Fox had acquired the film rights in 1959, The Sound of Music almost wasn’t made after the studio spent a huge sum on 1963’s Cleopatra.
- The Sound of Music remains one of the highest-grossing movies of all-time but required some production magic to become the classic we know today.
The movie version of The Sound of Music remains as beloved as ever thanks to TV broadcasts and at-home singalongs. Naturally, the film’s 60th anniversary is getting a big celebration.
The musical has returned to theaters for a limited release through Wednesday as part of Fathom Entertainment’s Big Screen Classics Series. The new version is restored and remastered in 4K, promising “pristine picture and sound” from the fictionalized von Trapp family.
When Robert Wise’s screen adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit Broadway musical was initially released on March 2, 1965, most of the participants weren’t dreaming of the extraordinary staying power the movie has exhibited. They were merely concerned about it making back its $8 million cost and keeping the creditors from beleaguered 20th Century Fox’s door. Meanwhile, star Julie Andrews was probably most worried that portraying another wholesome nanny after Mary Poppins would shackle her image and career.
The Sound of Music did become a defining project for Andrews but not a limiting one. Meanwhile, the movie has the third-highest lifetime gross—more than $1.3 billion—of any movie when adjusted for 2022 ticket prices. Here are 10 other facts about the classic movie musical you might not know.
Maria von Trapp sold the rights to her life story for very little
After The Story of the Trapp Family Singers was published in 1949, there was interest from various quarters in buying the film rights to Maria von Trapp’s book. But it wasn’t until 1955 when the von Trapp family was strapped for money that Maria sold the rights to German movie producer Wolfgang Reinhardt for a flat $9,000.
She and her family received no royalties from the two subsequent German films based on the von Trapps’ adventures. They also didn’t profit from the Broadway production of The Sound of Music, which ran for more than three years, or the movie version.
Another blockbuster almost doomed the movie’s production
When the Broadway show opened in 1959 and proved to be such a smash hit, the studio bought film rights to The Sound of Music for $1.25 million. Then came the Elizabeth Taylor–led Cleopatra (1963), the $40 million drain on studio resources that temporarily shut Fox down and made any new expensive undertaking an iffy proposition. It was only when Richard Zanuck took over Fox’s production reins that The Sound of Music was revived.
The original director had a different vision for the movie
William Wyler, a Swiss-German Jew who had won three Best Director Oscars, was originally assigned to direct the movie. He envisioned a lot more Nazis, swastikas, and cheering Austrian crowds to greet the Anschluss that takes up The Sound of Music’s final stretch. Eventually, Wyler decided to direct the disturbing psychological thriller The Collector instead, and Robert Wise, who had guided the film version of West Side Story to 10 Oscars, came onboard.
Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer had competition for their roles
Doris Day was seriously considered for the role of Maria, along with Leslie Caron, Anne Bancroft, and even Grace Kelly. Luckily, footage of Andrews in Mary Poppins was available to the filmmakers and she became the top choice.
As for the role of Captain von Trapp, Walter Matthau was tested for the part and Yul Brynner’s and Bing Crosby’s names were floated. Eventually, Christopher Plummer was selected for the dash of danger he could bring to the Captain.
Andrews had a hair malfunction shortly before filming
An attempt to give the star’s natural dark brown locks a few blond highlights resulted in something closer to orange. To get her presentable for “My Favorite Things,” the first number to be filmed at Fox Studios, Andrews’s hair was bleached to Maria’s familiar golden color.
Plummer’s singing voice was dubbed
Plummer’s performance also required some movie magic. Singer Bill Lee provided the singing voice for Captain von Trapp. Also dubbed in the movie is the singing voice of Mother Abbess, played by Peggy Woods.
The actor who played Liesl was a bit older than “16 going on 17”
Charmian Carr was actually 21 going on 22, when she portrayed the eldest von Trapp sibling, Liesel. Nonetheless, she beat out competitors like Lesley Ann Warren, Teri Garr, Sharon Tate, and Mia Farrow for the role.
Andrews fell while shooting the opening twirl
The helicopter that captured this famous moment during the opening of the movie also caused a downdraft that not even Andrews could withstand. Luckily, the problem only occurred after the helicopter had passed, so no footage of Andrews taking a pratfall made it on camera.
Shooting “Do-Re-Mi” was not as easy as ABC
The Salzburg, Austria, filming location that served The Sound of Music so well provided a nearly constant battle against the elements, since it was a very wet and chilly spring in the von Trapps’ hometown. Waiting for the sun extended location shooting from eight to 11 weeks, and the “Do-Re-Mi” number, which occupies about nine minutes of screen time, took almost two months to complete.
Andrews and Plummer were shot in silhouette during “Something Good” to cover up a fit of giggles
Back in Hollywood, during one of the last scenes filmed, Andrews and Plummer were getting punchy. The arc lights hung over the gazebo set kept producing, in Andrews’s own words, “a raspberry sound.” Nothing could stem the tide of hilarity sweeping over the love scene, so cinematographer Ted McCord cast his romantic leads in shadow.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
