The Sound of Music is a timeless classic that has captured the hearts of audiences for decades. From its stunning cinematography to its unforgettable songs, this beloved musical continues to be a favorite across generations. In this article, we’ll dive deep into some lesser-known facts that will change the way you view this cinematic masterpiece.

1. Julie Andrews’ Struggled During the Iconic Mountain Scene

The opening scene of The Sound of Music, where Julie Andrews spins joyfully on a mountaintop, looks effortless—but it was far from it. The weather conditions were harsh, with rain and cold winds making it difficult to film. But that wasn’t all. A helicopter was involved in capturing the scene, and the down draft from its blades kept knocking Andrews over. She recalls, “Every time the helicopter circled around me, the down draft just flattened me into the grass. And I mean flattened!” Even though it was frustrating, the actress powered through and made the scene iconic.

2. The Final Rodgers and Hammerstein Musical

The Sound of Music holds the distinction of being the last musical created by the legendary songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical was based on a memoir by Maria von Trapp, the real-life matriarch of the von Trapp family. The show premiered on Broadway in 1959, but it wasn’t met with great critical acclaim at first. In fact, it was Richard Rodgers’ final collaboration with Hammerstein, who passed away in 1960. The last song Hammerstein wrote was the iconic “Edelweiss.”

3. Julie Andrews Had Already Spoofed the Musical

Two years before The Sound of Music hit the big screen, Julie Andrews was already involved in a humorous parody of it. In a 1962 TV special called Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall, Andrews and Carol Burnett performed a skit where they spoofed the beloved musical. This playful take on The Sound of Music was a hit and gave audiences a taste of Andrews’ comedic chops.

4. Andrews Was Almost Not Cast as Maria

Julie Andrews’ journey to playing Maria von Trapp wasn’t as straightforward as it seems. Initially, Richard Rodgers believed she was perfect for the role after seeing her perform in one of his musicals in 1956. However, Andrews starred in My Fair Lady instead. Hollywood didn’t think Andrews would translate well to film—especially in color. It wasn’t until Walt Disney saw her in Mary Poppins that he was convinced she was the perfect choice for the role. Although The Sound of Music wasn’t her first film, it solidified her place in cinematic history.

5. The Boat Scene Left Gretl Traumatized

In one of the most dramatic moments of The Sound of Music, Maria and the von Trapp children fall into a lake when their rowboat overturns. For Kym Karath, who played 5-year-old Gretl, this scene was particularly traumatic. Karath couldn’t swim, and Andrews was supposed to catch her as the boat capsized. But things didn’t go as planned. Andrews fell backward, and Karath went underwater, swallowing water in the process. The young actress later said, “I swallowed a lot of water, which I then vomited all over Heather.”

6. Christopher Plummer Disliked the Movie

Christopher Plummer, who portrayed Captain von Trapp, famously referred to the film as “The Sound of Mucus” because of its overly sentimental and syrupy tone. He didn’t hide his dislike for the movie, often expressing frustration about the difficulty of injecting any humor into his role. In fact, Plummer admitted he was drunk during the filming of the music festival scene. The actor even confessed that the film made him gain weight due to his indulgence in food and drink while filming in Salzburg.

7. Julie Andrews Couldn’t Keep a Straight Face During the Love Scene

One of the most memorable moments in the film is when Maria and Captain von Trapp declare their love in the gazebo. While shooting the romantic scene, Andrews couldn’t stop giggling. The reason? The lights above the actors were making funny, embarrassing noises. “Christopher would be looking into my eyes and saying ‘Oh Maria I love you,’ and there’d be this awful raspberry coming from the lights above us,” she recalled. To get through the scene, director Robert Wise decided to turn off the lights and film it in silhouette.

8. Mia Farrow Almost Played Liesl

While Charmian Carr eventually took on the role of Liesl von Trapp, the film’s oldest child, Mia Farrow was one of the many actresses who auditioned for the part. Although Farrow didn’t land the role, she was close, making it a fun bit of Hollywood trivia for fans of The Sound of Music.

9. Charmian Carr Was Injured During “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”

The unforgettable song “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was a pivotal moment in The Sound of Music, but filming it wasn’t without its challenges. Charmian Carr, who played Liesl, fell through the gazebo glass while shooting the scene and injured her ankle. The injury required her to wear a bandage that was cleverly concealed with makeup during filming.

10. Friedrich Grew Six Inches During Filming

Nicholas Hammond, who portrayed Friedrich von Trapp, experienced a major growth spurt during the six months of shooting. He grew a staggering six inches, from 5-ft. 3-in. to 5-ft. 9-in. This created a continuity issue, as Friedrich was supposed to be taller than Louisa but shorter than Liesl. Hammond had to wear shoe lifts in the early scenes, and by the end of filming, Charmian Carr had to stand on a box to maintain the height balance.

11. Julie Andrews and Maria von Trapp Yodeled Together

When the real Maria von Trapp appeared on The Julie Andrews Hour, she praised Andrews’ portrayal of her but humorously pointed out that the actress’ yodeling skills weren’t quite up to par. This led to a delightful duet between the two, showcasing their shared love for the music of the von Trapp family.

12. The Von Trapp Family Didn’t Flee Over the Mountains

In The Sound of Music, the von Trapp family escapes the Nazis by hiking over the mountains to Switzerland. However, in real life, the von Trapps took a train to Italy, not through the mountains. The filmmakers took creative liberties to add drama to the escape scene, as the real route would have taken the family closer to Germany, near Hitler’s mountain retreat.

13. The Movie Is Historically Inaccurate

While The Sound of Music is based on real events, it takes significant liberties with the facts. For example, the von Trapp family had 10 children, not seven. Maria von Trapp didn’t arrive as a governess to all the children but rather to tutor one child. She and Captain von Trapp were married years before the Nazis took control of Austria, and he was considered a kind man, not the stern disciplinarian depicted in the film. Maria even admitted in her memoir that she didn’t love Captain von Trapp when they first married—she married him for the children.

14. The Sound of Music Saved 20th Century Fox

The Sound of Music became a box office phenomenon, saving 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy after the financial disaster of Cleopatra. The film surpassed Gone with the Wind to become the highest-grossing film of all time at that point and won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Today, adjusted for inflation, it remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time and is considered the most successful musical ever made.

Conclusion

From Julie Andrews’ struggles with helicopters to Christopher Plummer’s disdain for the film, The Sound of Music has a rich history filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. While the film may have taken creative liberties with the real-life von Trapp family’s story, its enduring popularity is undeniable. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the movie, these 14 facts will make you appreciate The Sound of Music even more.