It's a movie that has taken on a life of it's own. One that is still popular decades after it was filmed. Audiences loved it (still do), critics hated hit (many still do) .... and what was intended to be a one time event (the sing-along) has morphed into events held world wide. How did it happen? How were cast and crew selected? How was it filmed? What happened after that? I learned all this and more in The Sound of Music Story: How a Beguiling Young Novice, a Handsome Austrian Captain, and Ten Singing Children Inspired the Most Beloved Film of All Time, by Tom Santopietro, afterwhich I watched the movie. All in all a most enjoyable experience. If you like the move, this is just a wonderful read!

I have read stories about the real Von Trapps, such as The Trapp Family Singers: the Famous True Story on Which The Sound of Music is Based, by Maria Von Trapp. As one would expect, it differs from the movie. I have the utmost admiration for them and recommend finding a biography, or history of them, perhaps one from one of their kids found in above book.

There is a nice forward from Andrew Lloyd Webber in The Sound of Music Companion by Laurence Maslon. Seems he wrote a fan letter to Richard Rodgers, who answered back and sent tickets for The Sound of Music. Later on, Webber would go on to produce a production, using a Maria of the right age. There is a nice blend of stories about the stage play, the Von Trapp family, and the movie in this book. Also some delightful pictures of fans who dress up for the sing alongs ... check out Ray (a drop of golden sun)!

At some point in my teens I was thrilled to discover that librettos were available and promptly read every one on the library shelf: Camelot, Brigadoon, Man of La Mancha, and so forth. Years later I found 6 Plays by Rodgers and Hammerstein in a used book sale and added it to my shelf. It predates The Sound of Music, but I can follow along with Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I, and South Pacific. Two lesser known plays, Allegro and Me and Juliet are also included. I love seeing so many familiar (and now very) old names on the original cast lists!

Another book on The Sound of Music is due out in September. I look forward to reading it. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog