The Sound of Music (1965)
by Claire J Rottenberg
"The Sound of Music" was the only Rodgers and
Hammerstein movie musical to win an Academy Award
even though they have had more movies made from their
plays than any other composers. Surprisingly, one of
their best and most-loved musicals, "Oklahoma," did
not win a Tony award or an Academy Award.
The Broadway version of "The Sound of Music" ran for
three and a half years, closing two years before the
movie version was released. None of the original cast
members appeared in the movie, but the lead roles did
go to stage performers (Julie Andrews and Christopher
Plummer).
"The Sound of Music," like "My Fair Lady," won both
the Tony award for Best Musical and the Academy Award
for Best Picture. Overall, it won 5 Tony awards out
of 8 nominations and 5 Oscars out of 10
nominations.
Christopher Plummer's singing was dubbed in the film,
as was Peggy Wood's voice for "Climb Every Mountain."
Two songs, sung by Captain von Trapp, Max and the
Duchess, were eliminated from the movie version of
"The Sound of Music" and one new song, "I Have
Confidence," was added. "Ordinary Couple," sung in
the stage version by the Captain and Maria, was
replaced in the film by the lovely, "Something Good."
In addition to the song replacements, some of the
songs were moved to improve their effect in the film
version.