ALONG COMES MARY

While it is hard to me to imagine that The Sound of Music is celebrating its 50th anniversary since being released in theatres, I must stop & think, how must my parents & grandparents feel?! Both my parents have told me of their fond memories of seeing one of the most legendary films ever, back when it was all brand new in 1965.

Each year, The Turner Classic Movies Film Festival selects a film celebrating a milestone anniversary, to be the honored picture to kick off their festivities for their opening night. It seemed inevitable The Sound of Music would be that party starter & they pulled out all the stops for it this past Thursday evening.

Telling the somewhat true tale of Maria Von Trapp & her journey from being a nun in the hills if Salzburg,Austria, to becoming the nanny & later wife to Captain Von Trapp & Mom to his 7 children, The Von Trapps famously had to flee their country when Hitler invaded, & wanted Mr. Von Trapp on his team, then they became the singing sensation family of the 1940’s & 50’s. The music-filled adaptation of the Broadway smash, it has some of the most memorable songs in musical theatre history, written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. Whether its Do Ri Me, Edelweiss or my favorite, My Favorite Things, everyone around the globe knows these songs, & many have personal attachment to them.

Like many before me, I was introduced to The Sound of Music when I was very, very young. It easily could be the movie that triggered my love for musicals & music in general (although The Wizard of Oz might tie it!). What is it about this film? “Its corny, so cheesy”, “Oh, anything but that!” are some phrases you might hear when you name drop it to someone, yet its timeless tale of true love & family has inspired & warmed the hearts of millions. Including, me 😉

Countless celebrities, notable Hollywood names & stars Julie Andrews & Christopher Plummer all walked the red carpet for TCMFF’s IMAX showing of the movie. In addition, Plummer also was given the honor of being inducted to the roster of legends’ hand & foot prints forever cemented in front of The Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, on Friday morning.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Andrews before; back at one of the very first ‘assignments’ I set out to do for this blog, 3 years ago: With no affiliations with the festival or an exact idea what I would write about, I set out early to The 2012 LA Times Festival of Books so I could secure a front row seat to see Andrews discuss & read her children’s book. It, to this day, is still one of my favorite blogging memories (& after Julie, I saw Betty White then a wonderful sci-fi panel on nerds!).

To get your own copy of the newly released Sound of Music: 50th Anniversary Edition, complete with countless hours of new footage, click on my Amazon link below to order now!

(*Disclosure: While I am covering The TCMFF as Press/Media, I am not affiliated with 20th Century Fox &/or their release of The Sound of Music. All opinions & reccomendations are my own.)