THE SOUND OF MUSIC

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is one of the greatest movies of all time. Released in 1965, it helped save 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy. The last musical created by Rodgers and Hammerstein, it was a monumental financial success.

The movie features Julie Andrews in a signature role. She was brilliant as Maria, a troublesome Austrian postulate sent by the Abby to serve as the governess for the seven children of Captain Von Trapp, a wealthy, retired Austrian naval officer.

The movie contrasts Maria’s sincere desire to serve God with her rebellious nature. In the Abby the nuns sing, “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?” When she’s sent to serve as governess she exhibits a clear unwillingness to obey her employer. She wins over a rebellious group of children by taking their side against their father who treats them like a ship’s crew rather than his own children. While short on submission Maria is loaded with charm and talent. While the children finally get the opportunity to play and be children, they also get training as a singing group.

Upon returning from a trip to visit with his fiancée in Vienna the Captain fires Maria for insubordination but quickly asks her to stay after hearing the children sing. The relationship between Maria and the Captain blossoms into more than Maria is prepared to deal with. At intermission she returns to the Abby to try to understand God’s will for her life.

As Maria, Julie Andrews creates a character so likable you want to see the movie over and over (millions of people have). The music by Rodgers and Hammerstein is so good you’ll want to sing it yourself. The setting, in Austria is breathtakingly beautiful. There has never been a musical to top THE SOUND OF MUSIC. In fact, it’s such a hard act to follow the entire genre has gone dormant.

After more than 40 years there are some moments that come across as hokey, but they are easily excused in exchange for the tremendous entertainment value provided — drama, suspense, humor, romance and strong moral values. THE SOUND OF MUSIC has everything good and very little bad. There is no bad language, sex, nudity or violence – period. The movie stands as a testament to the incredible box office potential of clean, wholesome movies.

Sadly, the movie stands as a virtual turning point in the history of Hollywood. Released in 1965 it came out at the end of the era of the Motion Picture Code. Before the decade ended Hollywood had a rating system as was putting out nasty movies like BONNIE AND CLYDE and MIDNIGHT COWBOY.

Hollywood missed the lesson. While the original James Bond movies, from the same time period, resulted in many sequels, no one has ever been able to produce another SOUND OF MUSIC.