The Sound of Music

When The Sound of Music was released in 1965, it took the world by storm, capturing five Oscars (including Best Picture) and holding the number-one spot box-office record for five years. For millions of viewers, the film is a rare combination of a powerful and moving story, superb music, and breathtaking scenery. The Sound of Music: The Making of Americas Favorite Movie is not only an unequalled tribute to this beloved movie musical but also the most complete behind-the-scenes account of the creation of this Hollywood classic. Through exclusive, in-depth interviews with Robert Wise, Ernest Lehman, Saul Chaplin, Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Kym Karath, Johannes von Trapp, Richard Zanuck, and dozens of other cast and crew members; over 200 stills from the movies most memorable scenes; rare snapshots from personal scrapbooks; and papers from the Fox Studio archives, Julia Antopol Hirsch has re-created the magic that is The Sound of Music: Julie Andrewss first kiss with Christopher Plummer, she recalls, was crazy, because neither of them could stop laughing. Plummers after hours festivities with the nuns around the piano often went on way into the night. When she rushed up the mountain for the famous opening scene, Julie Andrews kept getting knocked to the ground by the downdraft from the cameramans helicopter. Yul Brynner, Walter Matthau, and Sean Connery were all considered for the role of the Captain. Mia Farrow, Sharon Tate, and Richard Dreyfuss auditioned for juvenile roles. Director Robert Wise, under pressure from Foxs Richard Zanuck for being over budget, almost didnt finish the location shoot in Austria because it simply wouldnt stop raining. Now completely updated and in full color throughout, this engaging volume is both an insiders guide to and a delightful celebration of the happiest sound in all the world!