Image Credit: Harpo ProductionsGrowing up, a visit to my grandparents house typically consisted of repeatedly watching Singin’ in the Rain or The Sound of Music. (Those were two of the three VHS tapes they owned; the third was Pretty Woman.) There’s a special place in my heart for the sounds of Captain Von Trapp’s “Edelweiss” (how do you not cry?), and I may have reenacted “So Long, Farewell,” on more than one occasion, so it was great to hear that the Von Trapp family would be reuniting on Oprah for the first time since the filming of their iconic movie musical.
It’s been 45 years, but the Von Trapp family looked good! Oprah repeatedly declared the Von Trapp’s “the best family in cinematic history,” and shared clips of fans explaining why the movie means so much to them: Andrews’ Maria inspired one woman to become a nun, while a displaced Vietnam soldier watched the film 127 times while serving overseas. Rosie O’Donnell shared memories of wishing Maria would come to her home as a child, and fall in love with her father after her mother had passed away. Oprah spent the most time with the films’ stars, Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (who looks as dapper as ever at 80 years old), but brought all seven children onstage after Plummer recreated their memorable introduction scene. During a group discussion, a great deal of dirt was dug up from the cast:
- True to his character, Plummer admitted to being a little grouchy during the initial filming. He was a party boy, whose three-week benders throughout the Austrian countryside during filming forced costume designers to repeatedly let out his duds. (Director Robert Wise said he was “fatter than Orson Welles.”) An especially candid Plummer also revealed his crush on Andrews prior to filming (which derived from her performance in My Fair Lady), and explained that her showing up to set with her newborn baby (daughter Emma) was “an awful tease.”
- Liesl (Charmian Carr) wasn’t 16 going on 17, as many film buffs know, but actually 21 years old at the time of filming, which made her old enough to drink with her on-screen father back at the hotel. Carr also explained that she had a huge crush on Plummer at the time. “He was so perfect!” she gushed. Awkward, and kind of EWWWWWWWWWW.com, it’s like the cast of Gossip Girl!
- Her younger sister Louisa (Heather Menzies) attempted to shed her good-girl-in-a-traveling-family-band image by posing for Playboy (!) after the film. Such middle child syndrome.
Since cast reunions are a few of your favorite things, did you happen to catch Julie Andrews and the cast of The Sound of Music on Oprah today? Are the Von Trapps really the best family in cinematic history? What’s your favorite song from the film? And is it possible that Christopher Plummer is actually more badass now than he was in the ’60s?
Is there anywhere to watch this online? I had no idea it was happening and I’m so sad I missed it.
ABC reairs Oprah around 1am, Eastern Time (after Jimmy Kimmel), so perhaps you can set your DVR to catch it then?
Not in my area.
Some areas repeat Oprah but not all. Here in the Tampa area they used to but not any more. I have found that if I miss Oprah it is impossible to find the whole show repeated online.
Thanks so much Monica for informing me that Oprah is on again late at night. I wanted to watch this show and forgot. My DVR will be recording it now.
Thank you Monica! Just set my DVR
You can probably catch it on youtube sometime soon
Friedrich all the way!!!! I played him in my old high school’s production of the musical…and now I’m dating the girl who played Liesl, hahaha…
yes i missed it too!! and i’m a huge fan of this movie
Don’t worry people, I’m sure you’ll be able to catch reruns for years to come.
I watched it on youtube. And proceeded to cry and cry and cry.
(particularly at [spoiler!] the deaf girl who the first thing she heard after an implant was ‘the hills are alive)
I am trying to find the part about the deaf girl with the Cochlear Implant on You tube and cannot find it..HELP!!!!
Not an Oprah fan but had to watch. The movie really is one of my favorite things.
I prefer the Pontipee boys from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
I love that movie! It is so under appreciated. But The Sound of Music still the best.
Huge crush on Russ Tamblyn because of that movie.
I adore Howard Keel and never more so than in that movie. Seven Brides is definitely in my top ten but Sound of Music will also be my favourite film of all time. I had a picture of Julie Andrews on the wall and I would (according to my mum) sing myself to sleep with How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria (I was 5). Only the SoM could entice me to sit through an episode of Oprah!
Oh… I adore that movie!!!
I LOVED it! (that goes for both the movie and the Oprah episode)
One of my favourite (things) childhood memories is that it was the one movie my parents would let me stay up and watch with them around Christmas – and it always ran until around midnight. Exciting stuff for a 6 year old in the seventies!!!
I don’t normally watch Oprah, but there was no way I was going to miss this reunion. The Sound of Music was the first movie I ever saw in a theater, and my first musical. It was wonderful to see everyone. I promised myself I wouldn’t be moved to tears, but I was, especially listening to the segments where people talked about what the movie means to them. Everyone looked great and it was a treat to hear the Von Trapps sing; I kept thinking that the cast would join them onstage, like in the movie! My favorite song is Something Good because the scene was so romantic in the movie. Thank you, Oprah!
It was wonderful to watch! The Sound of Music has and always will be, one of my favorite movies. Whenever my mood is down, I can put on this movie and by the end, my mood is so much better. Great to see the cast all grown up and also to know that they all remain close, almost like a real family.
I was recently reacquainted with the film when my daughter wanted to watch it. I love it more now than I did when I was a child. Was there ever a more beautiful wedding scene? I too cry like a baby when the Captain sings “Edelweiss” at the end of the film.
I just need to think about the Captain singing Edelweiss and I start crying like a baby. Needless to say I was weepy watching the real Von Trapp singers singing a very so-so version on Oprah (with clips of the movie in the background).
It was great to see all of them but I wanted more, more, more! More anecdotes and time with the kids. I guess will have to wait for their book which they said is coming out next year. Everyone looked great!
Actually, on the DVD the children all sit down and have a discussion about their time filming the movie. It was really interesting.
How can we get a copy of today’s Oprah show of Sound of Music?
I can make you a copy from my TIVO recording…Can you pay me for postage and CD?
I would like a copy to….and will pay for postage and CD….can you hook me up and provide details on payment (do you use paypal?)
Ditto! If you would accept Paypal?
Same for me!
email me if you can send a copy,thanks
I really would like a copy too! Please let me know if you can send me one and if Paypal is okay!
Thanks!
I guess I am not the only one who missed this show. “I would like to have a copy as well” if you except Paypal. I would really apprecite it if you could contact me. Thank you
I would love a copy…..Let me know the cost and preferred payment. Thank you.
I would love a copy for my daughter.
Let me know how much.Thanks
I am also interested in obtaining a copy of Oprah’s 45th reunion special with the Sound of Music cast! Please email me with details!
can u record me a copy and ill pay for postage acd as well please
Can I still get a copy of this, as I thought it was to be on on 10/29 not 10/28 so I missed it completly.
If you are still willing, I would be so grateful to get a copy too. I was trying to record it on a VHS tape for a friend, but didn’t realize I had the TV on the HD channel and the VHS player did not accept the signal. So I didn’t get it recored for her. Let me know the cost and preferred payment. Thank you in advance.
I would also love to get a copy? Would that be possible? How much would it cost? I would be most grateful if that were possible.
I know quite a few people asked you for copies. My wife missed the show and would love a copy if you have the time. Let me know and I’ll Paypal to cover the costs and send you my mailing info. Thank you very much!
The Sound of Music is one of the all-time best movies ever. I watched it countless times growing up. Truly a classic, in every way. Julie Andrew’s voice in that film is just utterly exquisite! LOVE it all!
The most important part of a musical is the music and The Sound of Music’s music was incredible. The scenery was breathtaking, and the actors were perfectly cast. I absolutely loved this movie as a child, and adore it even more as an adult. It makes me happy whenever I watch it.
I once went on “The Sound of Music” tour when I was in Salzburg.
It was a fantastic way to spend a day. We learned very interesting facts about the film, got to see the actual filming locations and, of course, clips from the movie. That was about 25 years ago; wonder if the tour is still running? It was 99% Americans on the tour bus. No surprise…..
It is. A friend of mine went on it last year. They did the bike tour as well.
It is! I went on it last month. Was a wonderful afternoon. If you go to Salzburg it’s a must!
It just doesn’t get any better than “The Sound of Music,” in my opinion. The music, performances, costumes and story remain timeless. The reunion was so sweet. “The Lonely Goatherd” is my fave!!
I was moved to tears as well when people were talking about what it meant to them. There is truly something magical about this movie. I’m now a music teacher because of seeing this movie so much as a child, and now I share this movie every year with my students. It has stood the test of time. They really don’t make movies like they used to – clean, wholesome, happy, inspiring, etc. I don’t care what you say about Oprah – she really does make dreams come true!
I laughed out loud at the “fatter than Orson Welles” comment
Thank you Oprah for doing this. Honestly there are so many movies I’d love to see reunions of, but this is #1. My favorite movie of all time (I’m 27).. singing these songs as I grew up inspired me to sing in choirs and let music into my heart. I agree with others that “Edelweiss” is the most beautiful song, made moreso by Christopher Plummer’s gorgeous, soothing voice.
Only two things bothered me:
1) They didn’t show any clips of the wedding scene, and kept showing the “hills” scene over and over
2) Too much about Oprah herself (coming out w/ the hill behind hr and the audience applauds for 30 seconds? Talking about her “Favorite things”? It’s not about you Oprah.. but what else is new. I am thankful she decided to have this reunion though.
I totally agree. I was surprised by how much time was spent on Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Not that I don’t love them, but it was only about 10 minutes of them all together. It should have just been the group of them together the whole time telling stories. I didn’t need to hear how the movie affected people, I wanted to hear stories from their time on set.
You’re delusional. And just looking for a reason to knock Oprah. I thought she was entirely appropriate and I didn’t find her indulgent in the least.