Musicals Blog

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.