Director Issues
The producers initially had a different director in mind before they went with Robert Wise. In fact, a director named William Wyler actually already began working on it but quit to work on other projects. Rumor had it that this director had a much darker vision for the film and wanted to focus more on the war story.
Ultimately the execs were happier with Wise, who, as the master of musicals at the time, gave it a much sunnier spin. Another issues is that Wyler was a little deaf. That might be less helpful when directing a musical. Well, any type of film for that matter.
An Unexpected TV Star
Kym Karath who played young Gretl went on to star in quite a few television hits. Karath played in shows such as The Brady Bunch, All My Children, and even in an episode of Lost In Space. Fellow Sound of Music co -star, Angela Cartwright even appeared in the same show later on.
Karath who at five years old auditioned with the song "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" felt very grown up doing that.
You Can Spot the Real Maria
In the film, during the scene where Andrews sings, "I Have Confidence", you can see the real Maria step on to do a cameo appearance. Maria walks past a stone archway during the song, making it a really heartfelt moment.
Sadly that was the only input Maria really had in the film. Aside from not drastically changing her life story, they didn't even have a seat for her at the premier of the film.
Julie Andrews Was Considered "Too Gentle"
The real Maria von Trapp had some real issues with Julie Andrew. Maria, who was a rather burly and strong Austrian woman, felt that Julie Andrews was too sweet and soft, saying that her and the rest of the female cast were too "too gentle-like girls out of Bryn Mawr."
Bryn Mawr is an elite Liberal Art college in Pennsylvania. It must have been a reference to the refined and delicate women who came out of a college like that. Ouch!
A Big Winner
The Sound of Music was certainly the film of 1965. It took home a series of Oscars, all in all, five. The film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Film Editing and Best Music (scoring, adaptation or treatment).
The film also nominated Julie Andrews for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Peggy Wood for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Ted D. McCord for Best Cinematography, Boris Leven,Walter M. S and Ruby R. Levitt for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Dorothy Jeakins for Best Costume Design, Color.