NewsBite

Still one of the world’s favourite movies, The Sound of Music has hit its 60th anniversary. Released on March 2, 1965 in the US (April 17, 1965 in Australia), the film became the highest grossing of the year, making $US159 million dollars worldwide.
1/48Still one of the world’s favourite movies, The Sound of Music has hit its 60th anniversary. Released on March 2, 1965 in the US (April 17, 1965 in Australia), the film became the highest grossing of the year, making $US159 million dollars worldwide.
Corrected for inflation, it would be the third highest grossing film of all-time, behind only Gone with the Wind and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. It was the highest grossing film of all-time for five years between 1966 and 1971 and broke box office records in 29 countries.
2/48Corrected for inflation, it would be the third highest grossing film of all-time, behind only Gone with the Wind and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. It was the highest grossing film of all-time for five years between 1966 and 1971 and broke box office records in 29 countries.
The film is set in the shadow of World War II in Austria, following Maria (Julia Andrews) who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain Georg von Trapp who has seven children before they escape during the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. The film is based on the 1949 memoir of the real Maria von Trapp, who escaped Austria for the US.
3/48The film is set in the shadow of World War II in Austria, following Maria (Julia Andrews) who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain Georg von Trapp who has seven children before they escape during the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. The film is based on the 1949 memoir of the real Maria von Trapp, who escaped Austria for the US.
The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise, who wasn't even on hand to accept the award), as well as Best Film Editing, Best Scoring of Music and Best Sound.
4/48The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director (Robert Wise, who wasn't even on hand to accept the award), as well as Best Film Editing, Best Scoring of Music and Best Sound.
Incredibly, the film didn’t win either of the acting awards for which it was nominated. Julie Andrews lost to Julie Christie’s portrayal of Diana Scott in Darling for best actress. Peggy Wood lost the best supporting actress award to Shelley Winters for Rose-Ann D’Arcey in A Patch of Blue. However, Julie Andrews accepted the award for best director on Wise’s behalf. Photo: YouTube
5/48Incredibly, the film didn’t win either of the acting awards for which it was nominated. Julie Andrews lost to Julie Christie’s portrayal of Diana Scott in Darling for best actress. Peggy Wood lost the best supporting actress award to Shelley Winters for Rose-Ann D’Arcey in A Patch of Blue. However, Julie Andrews accepted the award for best director on Wise’s behalf. Photo: YouTube
60 years on from the release of the movie, Julia Andrews, 89, is still going strong. While Andrews already had an Oscar for Mary Poppins from the 1964 Oscars, she was also nominated a third time for her role in Victor/Victoria. She is pictured ahead of receiving her AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2022. Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP
6/4860 years on from the release of the movie, Julia Andrews, 89, is still going strong. While Andrews already had an Oscar for Mary Poppins from the 1964 Oscars, she was also nominated a third time for her role in Victor/Victoria. She is pictured ahead of receiving her AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2022. Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP
Andrews starred as Maria von Trapp in the film, who was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
7/48Andrews starred as Maria von Trapp in the film, who was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
Andrews later claimed she was “ashamed” after finding the film “rather saccharine” before she was cast. However, she later described it as her favourite film. Julie Andrews received her Oscar for Mary Poppins from the legendary Sidney Poitier. Photo: YouTube
8/48Andrews later claimed she was “ashamed” after finding the film “rather saccharine” before she was cast. However, she later described it as her favourite film. Julie Andrews received her Oscar for Mary Poppins from the legendary Sidney Poitier. Photo: YouTube
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer played Georg von Trapp, the patriarch of the family. The legendary actor’s career included winning an Oscar, two Tony’s and two Emmys. He fell just short of an EGOT, having been nominated for a Grammy. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
9/48Canadian actor Christopher Plummer played Georg von Trapp, the patriarch of the family. The legendary actor’s career included winning an Oscar, two Tony’s and two Emmys. He fell just short of an EGOT, having been nominated for a Grammy. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Plummer and Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music.
10/48Plummer and Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music.
The real Georg von Trapp was a submarine commander during World War 1 but after his first wife Agathe died of scarlet fever in 1922, he married Maria in 1927 after hiring her to tutor his children. However, he lost most of his wealth during the Great Depression before fleeing with his family to the US before his death in 1947. Photo: AP Photo/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
11/48The real Georg von Trapp was a submarine commander during World War 1 but after his first wife Agathe died of scarlet fever in 1922, he married Maria in 1927 after hiring her to tutor his children. However, he lost most of his wealth during the Great Depression before fleeing with his family to the US before his death in 1947. Photo: AP Photo/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Plummer died in 2021. Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP
12/48Plummer died in 2021. Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP
Peggy Wood played the Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music, getting nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award. Wood, who was born in 1892, died in 1978 at the age of 86. She was an acting giant, having been the title character in the CBS TV show Mama between 1949 and 1957. The Sound of Music was her final screen performance.
13/48Peggy Wood played the Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music, getting nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award. Wood, who was born in 1892, died in 1978 at the age of 86. She was an acting giant, having been the title character in the CBS TV show Mama between 1949 and 1957. The Sound of Music was her final screen performance.
The Mother Abbess (far right) was based on the real life Virgilia Lutz, who was the reigning abbess of Noonberg in Salzburg between 1921 and 1949. She is a key character in the film, serving as the head of the Abbey where Maria resides. She offers support to Maria and encourages her to find her true calling.
14/48The Mother Abbess (far right) was based on the real life Virgilia Lutz, who was the reigning abbess of Noonberg in Salzburg between 1921 and 1949. She is a key character in the film, serving as the head of the Abbey where Maria resides. She offers support to Maria and encourages her to find her true calling.
But what happened to the actors who played the children?
15/48But what happened to the actors who played the children?
Charmian Carr played the eldest von Trapp child Leisl. And you know just how old she is because she “is 16 going on 17” in the film. Her arc is about her transition from her childhood to adulthood and her storyline begins with her romance with Rolf who winds up joining the Nazis.
16/48Charmian Carr played the eldest von Trapp child Leisl. And you know just how old she is because she “is 16 going on 17” in the film. Her arc is about her transition from her childhood to adulthood and her storyline begins with her romance with Rolf who winds up joining the Nazis.
The Sound of Music is the only film Carr has on her filmography, as well as an episode on the 1966 show Evening Primrose. Pictured with former co-star Nicholas Hammond.
17/48The Sound of Music is the only film Carr has on her filmography, as well as an episode on the 1966 show Evening Primrose. Pictured with former co-star Nicholas Hammond.
After she was married to dentist Jay Brent in 1967, she decided to leave Hollywood, raising her two daughters and starting an interior design business called Charmian Carr Designs in California.
18/48After she was married to dentist Jay Brent in 1967, she decided to leave Hollywood, raising her two daughters and starting an interior design business called Charmian Carr Designs in California.
Unfortunately Carr died in 2016 at the age of 73 due to complications related to frontotemporal dementia. Photo: AP Photo/courtesy of the Carr family
19/48Unfortunately Carr died in 2016 at the age of 73 due to complications related to frontotemporal dementia. Photo: AP Photo/courtesy of the Carr family
Nicholas Hammond played the eldest son, 14-year-old Freidrich, in the film. He is portrayed as a responsible and caring sibling who looks up to his father.
20/48Nicholas Hammond played the eldest son, 14-year-old Freidrich, in the film. He is portrayed as a responsible and caring sibling who looks up to his father.
Hammond was born in America but became an Australian citizen after acting in the 1986 miniseries The Challenge, about the 1983 America’s Cup win. Hammond also played Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the 1970s TV series The Amazing Spider-Man. Picture: Supplied
21/48Hammond was born in America but became an Australian citizen after acting in the 1986 miniseries The Challenge, about the 1983 America’s Cup win. Hammond also played Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the 1970s TV series The Amazing Spider-Man. Picture: Supplied
Hammond was a child actor, making his debut as Robin Rhodes in Broadway play The Complaisant Lover in 1961. He was also in The Lord of the Flies, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Mao’s Last Dancer and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where Hammond played Sam Wanamaker.
22/48Hammond was a child actor, making his debut as Robin Rhodes in Broadway play The Complaisant Lover in 1961. He was also in The Lord of the Flies, Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles, Mao’s Last Dancer and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where Hammond played Sam Wanamaker.
Hammond won the role up against 3000 other child actors, telling The UK’s Telegraph: “I had no training as a singer or dancer, but I was the first one they cast.” Alongside actor Charmian Carr.
23/48Hammond won the role up against 3000 other child actors, telling The UK’s Telegraph: “I had no training as a singer or dancer, but I was the first one they cast.” Alongside actor Charmian Carr.
The gang - Debbie Turner, Angela Cartwright, honoree Julie Andrews, Nicholas Hammond, Kym Karath, and Duane Chase attend the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Julie Andrews at Dolby Theatre on June 09, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI)
24/48The gang - Debbie Turner, Angela Cartwright, honoree Julie Andrews, Nicholas Hammond, Kym Karath, and Duane Chase attend the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Julie Andrews at Dolby Theatre on June 09, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI)
Heather Menzies played the third oldest von Trapp child, the 14-year-old Louisa. She sings “So Long, Farewell” and “The Lonely Goatherd” and is initially sceptical about Maria but ultimately comes around to her stepmother.
25/48Heather Menzies played the third oldest von Trapp child, the 14-year-old Louisa. She sings “So Long, Farewell” and “The Lonely Goatherd” and is initially sceptical about Maria but ultimately comes around to her stepmother.
Menzies also had a successful career in acting, going on to appear in the likes of TV shows Logan’s Run, TJ Hooker and The Bob Newhart Show. Menzies is on the right with a fringe and hat
26/48Menzies also had a successful career in acting, going on to appear in the likes of TV shows Logan’s Run, TJ Hooker and The Bob Newhart Show. Menzies is on the right with a fringe and hat
She married actor Robert Urich in 1975 and the pair had three children. Urich died in 2002. Photo by Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images
27/48She married actor Robert Urich in 1975 and the pair had three children. Urich died in 2002. Photo by Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images
Unfortunately Menzies also died at the age of 68 in Canada after a battle with terminal brain cancer in November 2017, a year after the death of Carr. Her son Ryan Urich said: “She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest. She was not in any pain but, nearly four weeks after her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, she had enough and took her last breath on this earth at 7:22pm”. Photo: AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / DAVID BUCHAN
28/48Unfortunately Menzies also died at the age of 68 in Canada after a battle with terminal brain cancer in November 2017, a year after the death of Carr. Her son Ryan Urich said: “She was an actress, a ballerina and loved living her life to the fullest. She was not in any pain but, nearly four weeks after her diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, she had enough and took her last breath on this earth at 7:22pm”. Photo: AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / DAVID BUCHAN
Angela Cartwright played Brigitta von Trapp. Brigitta is known for her intelligence and honesty in the movie and is largely the voice of reason in the film. Her role was to provide insight and commentary on the events around her and identifies the budding relationship between Maria and Georg.
29/48Angela Cartwright played Brigitta von Trapp. Brigitta is known for her intelligence and honesty in the movie and is largely the voice of reason in the film. Her role was to provide insight and commentary on the events around her and identifies the budding relationship between Maria and Georg.
Cartwright had a successful career as an actress. She played Penny Robinson in Lost in Space and tallied several film and television credits.
30/48Cartwright had a successful career as an actress. She played Penny Robinson in Lost in Space and tallied several film and television credits.
However, she walked away from Hollywood after she was married to Steve Gullion in 1976. The pair share two children. “I got married, had a couple of kids and left show business so I could be a mum,” she told The Telegraph.
31/48However, she walked away from Hollywood after she was married to Steve Gullion in 1976. The pair share two children. “I got married, had a couple of kids and left show business so I could be a mum,” she told The Telegraph.
The 72-year-old Cartwright has been a photographer for the past 30 years, with her works displayed in Los Angeles. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI
32/48The 72-year-old Cartwright has been a photographer for the past 30 years, with her works displayed in Los Angeles. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI
Duane Chase played the 13-year-old Kurt von Trapp. Kurt is the heart, warmth and humour of the film, quickly warming to Maria.
33/48Duane Chase played the 13-year-old Kurt von Trapp. Kurt is the heart, warmth and humour of the film, quickly warming to Maria.
After The Sound of Music, Chase took on a small role on the film Follow Me, Boys! and a single episode as Danny Matthews on The Big Valley. After high school, Chase quit Hollywood as well, joining the US Forest Service before getting a masters degree in geology before working for an oil company and in the tech industry. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI
34/48After The Sound of Music, Chase took on a small role on the film Follow Me, Boys! and a single episode as Danny Matthews on The Big Valley. After high school, Chase quit Hollywood as well, joining the US Forest Service before getting a masters degree in geology before working for an oil company and in the tech industry. Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for AFI
Asked by The Telegraph if he regretted walking away from the screen, Chase said: “I think if I was a good enough actor, I may have stayed a little longer, but I have absolutely no regrets.”
35/48Asked by The Telegraph if he regretted walking away from the screen, Chase said: “I think if I was a good enough actor, I may have stayed a little longer, but I have absolutely no regrets.”
Debbie Turner played the second youngest von Trapp, Marta. Turner was seven when she played the sweet-natured and innocent Marta.
36/48Debbie Turner played the second youngest von Trapp, Marta. Turner was seven when she played the sweet-natured and innocent Marta.
Turner didn’t last too long in the film industry, walking away to return to school after the movie. While she appeared as a party guest in the 1979 film North Dallas Forty, she hasn’t featured in film or TV since. Photo: AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / DAVID BUCHAN
37/48Turner didn’t last too long in the film industry, walking away to return to school after the movie. While she appeared as a party guest in the 1979 film North Dallas Forty, she hasn’t featured in film or TV since. Photo: AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / DAVID BUCHAN
Turner got married to her husband Rick in 1980 and the pair had four daughters - and she now has nine grandchildren. She also went on to design weddings and gardens for commercial properties as a career.
38/48Turner got married to her husband Rick in 1980 and the pair had four daughters - and she now has nine grandchildren. She also went on to design weddings and gardens for commercial properties as a career.
Kym Karath played the youngest von Trapp, Gretl.
39/48Kym Karath played the youngest von Trapp, Gretl.
Karath was only five years old when she was cast but she was a genuine child star. She had already appeared in films including Doris Day, Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Maureen O’Hara.
40/48Karath was only five years old when she was cast but she was a genuine child star. She had already appeared in films including Doris Day, Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon and Maureen O’Hara.
While Karath appeared in several TV shows after The Sound of Music, she went to college, coming away with a degree in humanities before moving to Paris.
41/48While Karath appeared in several TV shows after The Sound of Music, she went to college, coming away with a degree in humanities before moving to Paris.
She married Philippe L’Equibec in 1985 before having a son in 1991. “I fell in love and got married. I guess that’s what 24-year-olds do in Paris in the springtime,” she told The Telegraph. They later divorced and she married Jeff Apple (pictured) in 2016.
42/48She married Philippe L’Equibec in 1985 before having a son in 1991. “I fell in love and got married. I guess that’s what 24-year-olds do in Paris in the springtime,” she told The Telegraph. They later divorced and she married Jeff Apple (pictured) in 2016.
Karath subsequently started a charity, the Aurelia Foundation, which looks after young adults with disabilities. She is also planning on returning to the film industry.
43/48Karath subsequently started a charity, the Aurelia Foundation, which looks after young adults with disabilities. She is also planning on returning to the film industry.
While not one of the von Trapps, Rolf Gruber is a pivotal character from the movie, played by Daniel Truhitte.
44/48While not one of the von Trapps, Rolf Gruber is a pivotal character from the movie, played by Daniel Truhitte.
Rolf begins as a young telegram delivery boy who becomes romantically involved with Liesl. However, after getting involved with the Nazis, Rolf comes across the von Trapps as they try to flee Austria, giving them away as the Nazis search for the family.
45/48Rolf begins as a young telegram delivery boy who becomes romantically involved with Liesl. However, after getting involved with the Nazis, Rolf comes across the von Trapps as they try to flee Austria, giving them away as the Nazis search for the family.
Truhitte was the last person cast for the film but soon after, he began teaching young performers. He also joined the US Marine Corps reserve.
46/48Truhitte was the last person cast for the film but soon after, he began teaching young performers. He also joined the US Marine Corps reserve.
Truhitte was married three times - first to Charmian Carr's understudy, German actress Gabrielle Hennig in 1966, Mary Miller in 1987 and finally Tarealia Haney in 1992.
47/48Truhitte was married three times - first to Charmian Carr's understudy, German actress Gabrielle Hennig in 1966, Mary Miller in 1987 and finally Tarealia Haney in 1992.
Having played the bad guy in the film, Truhitte said he had to learn to deal with the negative reaction from the public. “I met Darth Vader once at a film convention. I got his autograph, and he said: ‘Dan, just remember every film has to have a baddie’,” he told The Telegraph.
48/48Having played the bad guy in the film, Truhitte said he had to learn to deal with the negative reaction from the public. “I met Darth Vader once at a film convention. I got his autograph, and he said: ‘Dan, just remember every film has to have a baddie’,” he told The Telegraph.
More related stories

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/movies/sad-ends-of-iconic-child-stars/image-gallery/0d546875f4a17c96a75c14cca7d5ddcd