THE SOUND OF …
Posted by anthonynorth on August 11, 2007
Okay I’ve got a confession to make …
… hold on, wait for it!
They say life imitates art. And in my case this is certainly true.
So, I’ve got a confession to make.
I don’t know how it came about. Maybe it was because it was ‘in vogue’ when I was a kid. Whatever, I can’t quite grasp the time when it gripped me. But …
… it’s coming …
My favourite film is ‘The Sound of Music.’
Now stop laughing.
It’s a great film. It has everything. It has romance (and music). It has adventure (and music). It has comedy (and music). And it has – what is it? – oh yes, music. But more than this, like old von Trapp, I was in the forces. And eventually I met my Maria.
Her name’s Yvonne. Now, she didn’t look like a Maria type when I met her – she was from the big city. But eventually it turned out that she was exceptionally spiritual by nature. So okay, life’s beginning to imitate art already.
We’ve been married 30 years now, and also like ‘The Sound of Music’, we’ve made a few escapes. Infact, we’ve moved around so much that life just gets dizzy. But in the last few years we’ve settled down in a nice place in the country, close to where I was born.
It’s a little house.
We don’t need a big one anymore. But this country living seems to be agreeing with her – apart from the regular shopping jaunts to the nearby city of course. And even in this, life seems to imitate art.
You see, her favourite programme ever was ‘The Waltons.’ And as I said …
… life imitates art.
So what happens when ‘The Sound of Music’ meets ‘The Waltons’? I suppose you’ve got to work out what they have in common.
You’ll never guess how many kids we had.
© Anthony North, August 2007
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observantbystander said
OK Mister – NOW you’re blogging! When I first met the love of my life, Ken, he confessed to me that his favorite movie of all time is…..The Sound of Music. In fact, when it first came out he was about 14 years old and it moved him so much he went back to see it 3 or 4 times that year. Of course I fell in love with him right away after that confession. We’ve been together 8 years now – the happiest 8 years of my life.
And how funny that both of your favorite “families” were literally packed with children! Sounds like a match made in heaven, for sure.
anthonynorth said
Hi OB,
I’m trying.
At first we joked about having 7 kids. It seems life imitates comedy, too. They’re all grown up and flown the nest now, except two. One’s off to university in a month – and then there’ll be one.
The house gets quieter and quieter. A new phase of life approaches.
As for ‘The Sound of Music’, I must have seen it over 50 times. The family once said they’d buy it on DVD. I said, no. If it comes up on TV I’ll watch it, but if I’ve got it, I’ll most likely not bother ‘cos it’s there.
Strange thing, life.
diamondsandrust said
My Mother probably took the record,she saw the film 11 times and the musical 3. I of course had to sit through it with her,and my children too on the occasions that we were together. We didn’t find it difficult.
Switzerland isn’t Austria but Julie Andrews likes it here as well.
diamondsandrust said
Have just seen that you beat her by a long way.I’m sure she would have liked to have met you.
observantbystander said
Seven??? That is amazing! What a full and wonderful life you and Yvonne must have (and I tip my hat to your wife, as I’m sure she’s shouldered quite a load with mothering 7 children). Is the growing silence deafening, or a new treat?
So true how purchased movies tend to just sit in the cabinet and are rarely actually watched. Someone should do a study of why that is.
anthonynorth said
Hi D & R,
Hope it’s alright to abbreviate. I suppose there must be a Sound of Music fan club somewhere. I think it’s a generational thing. When they were young, the kids didn’t really like it – they said (after all, Dad did). But I bet they do now.
Last year the BBC in the UK had a talent contest for a new Maria to star in the new stage version. It brought it to a whole new generation.
By the way, I remember you were the very first person to send me a comment on North’s Review, before Beyond the Blog. Thanks for that, and I hope we’ve both improved our computer skills.
Hi OB,
The silence is a nice change. Life used to be very hectic, but enjoyable. The grown up ones don’t live local, so we don’t see them enough. With moving around the UK as much as we did, we seemed to drop one off at each place, and a couple settled in the towns they went to university at.
The day they all decide to descend, I’ll have to put up a couple of tents in the garden.
Anita Marie said
One of my favorite movies is ” Letter To Three Wives “- no one believes it but TOUGH.
And I know the Sound of Music score by heart and nobody believes THAT either.
Hey Tony, you’ve turned into quite the host here…it’s cool.
anita marie
anthonynorth said
Hi Anita Marie,
Now that I’ve taken the plunge, I’m quite enjoying it. Times being quieter now, it’s just what I need.
Personally, I think everyone knows the score to the Sound of Music. Even those who claim to hate it.
RubyShooZ said
I went and saw it 11 times at the theater when I was younger and still, when I happen to find it on the telly, I have to watch it again. Great movie, great music and good feelings.
Quite times? Something to be treasured for sure. I love my kids deeply but I’m so very glad they have their own places to live.
Again,
Peace, love and understanding.
RubyShooZ said
********SPELLING CORRECTION**************
Quiet!!
anthonynorth said
I echo the sentiments about the kids. I’m living with the mantra ‘good things come in small doses’ nowadays.
I’m pleased so many liked the film. It seems the blogs are alive with the Sound of …
Oh dear, it’s getting to me …