theclassicmoviemuse It is always fun discovering new Christmas films to add to your line up of holiday viewing, but there’s always something special about coming back to the movies that you’ve been watching every year since you were a youngster. Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas is one of those for me. It was videotaped by my parents and became one that we watched as a family until the tape was lost or had broken…I can’t remember which! Thanks to YouTube, I was able to rediscover this television special all over again and restore it to it’s rightful place as one of my holiday traditions. I’m so glad to be sharing it with you today.
One of the most exciting aspects of The Sound of Christmas is that the production team returned to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and the city of Salzburg richly steeped in musical history, capturing Julie once again singing with the glorious hills all around her. You guessed it…this is where 20th Century Fox filmed The Sound of Music (1965).
The comical acapella group, The King’s Singers, country singer John Denver, and the operatic tenor Placido Domingo join Julie in this musical extravaganza giving the special a wide-ranging menu and appeal. The score is peppered with the carols that we all know and love, but there are also songs by musical theater greats including the Gershwins, Lerner and Loewe, and Rodgers & Hammerstein.
From an enchanting Christmas ball, to a skiing John Denver, to a grand concert in a cathedral, this special has something for everyone. My favorite scene is the Christmas ball when Domingo and Denver are suitors vying for Julie’s hand. (At the moment, Domingo is winning.)
I hope that you can tell from the pictures (despite the fuzziness) how beautifully filmed this special is. The cinematography is so well done and fully takes advantage of the frosty Austrian landscape and surroundings, becoming a part of the action that takes place, just as in The Sound of Music.
The special climaxes with a grand concert inside of St. Michael’s Church in Mondsee where Julie as Maria married Captain von Trapp. From the looks of it, this is a bonafide concert with what appear to be locals filling the seats. The three stars take center stage supported by The King’s Singers and a full choir, providing the ultimate Christmas concert and finale to the program.
In 1988, Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas garnered five Emmy awards and Dwight Hemion, the director, also won a Director’s Guild of America award. Not bad for a Christmas special!
The hills are alive with the sound of Christmas, and so will your heart be this season as you watch Julie in her element spreading her special brand of holiday cheer.
Watch Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas here:
Perfect Pairing: The Sound of Music (1965)
You are viewing Part 1 of my series, Christmas with the Stars: Holiday Specials on YouTube You Won’t Want to Miss. Join me as I uncover holiday gems featuring classic stars each week during the month of December!
To view the introductory post click here.
To view Part 2 of the series click here.
To view Part 3 of the series click here.
To view Part 4 of the series click here.
This post is my contribution to The Happy Holidays Blogathon hosted by the Pure Entertainment Preservation Society. PEPS, thank you for letting me take part in this festive event! You can read the other entries celebrating the joy of the season here.
Thanks for reading and for visiting The Classic Movie Muse!
This looks beautifully done – especially the sets and costumes. Thanks for sharing it on your site. I was able to watch a few minutes, but I’ll come back later to watch the whole thing. 🙂
So glad you like what you’ve seen so far! Please let me know what you think if you get a chance to finish. Isn’t Julie’s gown and fan just stunning? And the scenery…just wow! My pleasure. Thank you for reading!
I am not familiar with this one at all. What an interesting cast! I will certainly check this out – will be following your blog from here on out 🙂
Hello there! It is quite an interesting blend of talent. If you get a chance, please let me know what you think of it. Thanks so much! I’ll be paying you a visit real soon 🙂
Will do!!
A perfect choice for this blogathon. I remember when this special first aired and how it was anticipated, and then enjoyed with awe. It will be lovely to see it again. Thanks for the link. Beautiful music is so special and important this season.
– Caftan Woman
Thanks, Caftan Woman! Oh, what delightful memories, I love that. I couldn’t agree more and Julie is just the right person to provide it! Enjoy 🙂
I’m so glad you brought this to my attention. I’ve never heard of this film, but The Sound of Music was one of the few films I had access to growing up. I love how you highlighted the similarities between the two and I’m very excited to watch it.
Hello there, and thank you for the wonderful comment! It brought a smile to my face 🙂 I hope that you enjoy it! Please let me know your thoughts after you’ve watched it!
Isn’t it amazing how many lives The Sound of Music has touched and continues to touch to this day?
I was researching details about The Sound of Christmas for a concert I am hosting this Friday night and came upon your blog about it. Thanks!! It’s all the info I need. Our musical director is a whiz and he lifted the entire orchestral score of Sleigh Ride from a tape he had of the show. All by ear and he plays it on the piano while we sing it as a choir. I’m singing the Sound of Christmas as the opening solo for the evening and we are doing Sleigh Ride as the finale. It’s a really fun concert with lots of the magic of a sparkly Christmas in Salzburg. Thanks again for the info!
Hello, Angela! Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving this lovely comment. I’m thrilled to hear my post was a help to you. Oh to be a fly on the wall for your concert, it sounds absolutely marvelous! Thank you again for sharing the details of your magical concert. Have a very Happy Easter weekend! 🙂