THE SOUND

OF A PROBLEM.

a friendly reminder

from Hunter Jon

“The Sound of Music”, based on the hit stage musical from 1959, was released in 1965 and could not have been more of a success. It rescued 20th Century Fox after the colossal financial disaster of “Cleopatra” two years prior. And it was, in my eyes, the swan song of Old Hollywood (with “Bonnie and Clyde” essentially launching the New Hollywood two years later). It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. If you adjust for inflation, it made over two billion dollars at the box office. Despite facing much criticism (mostly for its sappy tone and historical inaccuracies) it has an undeniably endurable legacy; it’s one of the most celebrated, iconic movies ever made.

It has also become a holiday tradition. Its songs, mainly “My Favourite Things”, have been covered on dozens of Christmas albums. The “… Live!” version from 2013 starring Carrie Underwood aired on December 5th. An entirely separate live performance was broadcast in the UK on December 20th, 2015. In 2019, Disney+ made the original movie available to its subscribers on November 12th, just in time for American Thanksgiving. And the always popular “Sing-Along” screenings that occur all over the world are usually hosted during the holiday season.

… but why?

None of this (very long) movie takes place during Christmastime. The word “Christmas” is never spoken. “The Sound of Music” is not a Christmas movie. Not hard. Not soft. Not in any way - no matter how you look at it. Nor is it a holiday movie of any kind (unless you count Oktoberfest). Yet the few times I’ve pointed this out to people I’m usually met with: “Sure it is.” They think about it for a moment and swear there is at least one Christmas scene. “Doesn’t Maria make the kids Christmas outfits out of the curtains or something?” No. She makes them outfits out of curtains, yes. But not Christmas ones (whatever those would be). Then they point out that “My Favourite Things” is a Christmas song. No, it’s not. Yes, it features the following lyrics:

“…warm woollen mittens…”

“… brown paper packages tied up with strings…”

“… doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles…”

“… snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes…”

“… silver white winters that melt into springs…”

(and “Edelweiss” does feature this one line:

“… blossom of snow may you bloom and grow…”)

… but to say those are Christmas references is a stretch. Why has it been featured on so many Christmas albums, then? I don’t know. Ask Barbra Streisand. I believe she’s mostly responsible for the trend.

Some will go so far as to insist that a Christmas tree is featured somewhere in the movie. They’re absolutely sure of it. But there isn’t a single one - trust me. Plenty of pine trees... but not one is decorated.

To be fair, there are snowy scenes. But you climb every mountain high enough and you’re bound to encounter some snow.

So why do a majority of people think of or flat-out wrongfully remember

“The Sound of Music” as being a Christmas movie?

Here’s what I think happened:

Back in the day, the BBC bought the UK rights to the movie for a record 4.1 million doll hairs and first aired it on December 25th, 1978. As of 2016, they’d aired it fifteen more times, mostly during Christmastime. Across the pond, ABC has aired the movie the Sunday before Christmas for the past nineteen years. I guess the initial thinking was: what’s a lengthy, cheery, cozy, romantic movie that the whole family can enjoy during the holiday season? Y’know, preferably one that isn’t in black & white. And if you go back to 1978 (or even 2002), pickings were slim. There simply wasn’t the vast landscape of Christmas classics that stands before us today. Therefore, the adventures of the von Trapps and their singing governess was a perfect fit… despite having absolutely nothing to do with the season being celebrated.

So combine the fact that when ever shown on television it’s usually during the holidays with its songs being featured on Christmas albums (thanks, Babs) and you get the most beloved Christmas classic that never was.

Now let’s all sing the laziest lyric in the history of musical theatre:

“Sew, a needle pulling thread!

   La, a - uh… note to follow So!”