The Sound of Music released 50 years ago today

The Sound of Music Released: April 1, 1965 Studio: 20th Century Fox Genre: musical/romance Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 163.21 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 1397.92 Worldwide: 2884.00

Directing: Robert Wise Screenwriting: Ernest Lehman Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Peggy Wood Review: Music, comedy, romance, and drama “are woven perfectly into this beautiful film” VD “adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical,” A7 which, in turn, was based on the true story of the von Trapp family. Maria (Andrews) is a restless nun prone to daydreaming and, as seen in the memorable opening, roaming the hills and belting out the title song. When it becomes clear the Abbey isn’t for her, she’s assigned as the governess to the von Trapp family. The seven children, ages 5 to 16, “have a well-deserved reputation for scaring off caretakers, but Maria wins them over” FS with their shared love of music through songs like “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things,” which became iconic because of the movie. It takes a bit more effort, but she also warms the heart of their stern, widowed father, Captain von Trapp (Plummer). Their blossoming romance, however, is overshadowed by the impending threat of Nazi occupation in their native Austria. Maria and the von Trapps have to find a way to escape before their country is invaded. Sources: A7 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films” VD Video Detective (1997). “Top 100 Films of All Time”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Oscars: Wins: 5 – including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Adapted Score, Best Film Editing Nominations: 10 – including Best Actress (Andrews), Best Supporting Actress (Wood), Best Color Cinematography, Best Color Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Color Costume Design Awards: Other Lists/Honors: First posted 8/25/2019; last updated 5/29/2023.

50 years ago: West Side Story becomes one of the greatest musicals of all time

West Side Story Released: October 18, 1961 Studio: United Artists Genre: musical/romance Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 43.66 Worldwide: ? Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 549.54 Worldwide: ?

Directing: Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise Screenwriting: Ernest Lehman Starring: Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn Review: Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare’s “tale of ill-fated lovers” FS got refashioned in the late ‘50s as a “landmark, highly-honored, ground-breaking Broadway musical.” FS In 1961, it was “transposed to the big screen and set on location in 1950s New York on the Upper West Side.” FS The story centers around two New York gangs rivaling “for turf on the sidewalks and streets of the city.” FS The Puerto Rican Sharks are led by Bernardo (Chakiris) while Riff (Tamblyn) leads the white Jets. Bernardo’s sister, Maria (Wood), falls for Tony (Beymer), a Jet. “His attempts at peace-making during a rumble accidentally lead to the deaths of both gang leaders and further tragic circumstances in a tear-stained scene set on an outdoor basketball court.” FS The “energetically-choreographed musical” FS features “some of the most memorable dance sequences in film history.” A07 It owes much of its success to Jerome Robbins, who directed and choreographed the Broadway production. He initially was the sole director for the movie version, but the studio brought in Robert Wise for the non-musical sequences and eventually fired Robbins for “his painstaking perfectionism” T95 which threatened to double the budget. However, he’d already put his stamp on the opening sequence (“The Jet Song”), “America,” “Cool,” and “I Feel Pretty.” The soundtrack became a blockbuster success on the scale of a Michael Jackson Thriller in the 1960s, thanks to composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. They contributed classics like “Somewhere,” “Tonight,” and “Maria” which have become part of the American musical lexicon. Sources: A98 American Film Institute (1998). “AFI’s 100 Years, 100 Movies” A07 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” T95 Time Out (1995). “Centenary Top One Hundred Films”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 10, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor – George Chakiris, Best Supporting Actress – Rita Moreno, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Musical Score Nominations: 11, including Best Adapted Screenplay Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Leslie Halliwell/John Walker First posted 5/30/2023.