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ABOVE: A current picture of Debbie Turner. Show business hasn't been a major part of her life in recent years.
LEFT: A young Debbie Turner, who played the role of Marta von Trapp in the 1965 movie, 'The Sound of Music.' |
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Debbie Turner was having such a jolly time on the 20th Century-Fox sound stage back in 1964 that she started mouthing a song she wasn't supposed to know.
Purists of "The Sound of Music" (and there are many) like to point out that endearing little flub in the scene where the seven von Trapp children, including Marta (played by Turner), were cavorting with Julie Andrews in her bedroom, singing about "My Favorite Things."
Watch really carefully and you'll see Marta simultaneously mouth a couple of syllables with Maria (played by Andrews), even though at that point Maria is supposed to be teaching the children the lyrics.
Think that's picky? Forty-one years after the release of "The Sound of Music," legions of fans still focus on every microsecond of its screen time, along with the lives of its stars and crew members.
Last week, I wrote about my personal affinity for the film, formed when I was 17 (going on 18).
It turns out I'm not alone. Indeed, the Lake of the Woods Players in Orange County open their stage version of "The Sound of Music" tomorrow in the new Community Center in Sweetbriar Park. The auditions attracted so much local talent that the director was able to have two casts of children for the von Trapp family.
Today, in the context of that ardent interest, I offer the first (and, I hope, not the last) interview with the people who brought to life the most beloved film of all time. I begin with the actress who played Marta, the next-to-youngest von Trapp daughter, who included pink parasols among her favorite things.
As a toddler, Debbie Turner had appeared in a number of TV shows and commercials before landing the role of Marta. But show business has not been a big part of her life in recent years.
For the past two decades, Turner has lived in the suburbs of Minneapolis with her husband, an aircraft mechanical engineer. They have four daughters.
She has become a successful floral designer, as well as a designer of collectible Santa Clauses.
Here are some excerpts from my recent e-mail interview with her:
QWhen did you begin to realize that "The Sound of Music" would be cherished by so many generations of fans ?
AProbably as I have gotten older and more generations of fans keep sending me fan mail.
QYou've mentioned your time on the set with Richard Haydn (Uncle Max), who was friendly and fun. Was he your favorite adult cast member?
AHe was certainly one of them. All of the adults were so nice, as I remember, but Richard was exceptionally funny, too. He got such a kick out of my false teeth--or lack of them.
QHave you ever been tempted to pick up the phone and call someone like Eleanor Parker (the baroness) to reminisce?
AI actually sent Eleanor Parker a note about a year ago, along with a cute photo of Duane (Chase, who played Kurt), Eleanor and me.
QHow closely have you stayed in touch with the other "child actors" from the film?
AWe are and have remained very close. We all e-mail each other pretty often. Heather's and my families vacation together, or Heather and I go skiing in Utah when we can. (Heather Menzies played Louisa in the film.) Angela (Cartwright, who played Brigitta) designs my Web page and keeps me involved in "art" things. The rest of the gang is just like an extended family.
QWhat's your favorite moment in the film?
AWhen Friedrich lies about berry picking and I laugh and get caught by Dad.
QI understand you may have plans to publish a book about your experiences with the movie. What's the latest on that?
AIt's a work in progress. These things take so much longer than you anticipate.
QThe characters from the film have become "real" to a great many fans. What's your reaction to that? Is there any downside?
ANot really a downside to me, anyway. But when I get fan mail from 9- and 10-year-old little boys from around the world, it's a bit of a letdown for them to learn I am not 7 anymore.
QIf you could magically travel back in time, and land in the shoes of director Robert Wise and screenwriter Ernest Lehman, what (if anything) would you change in the film?
ANot a thing.
QDo you feel a burden in being so closely identified with a film that fans remember as innocent and pristine? I guess what I'm asking is: Has it crimped your style?
ANo, I'm pretty much innocent and pristine. (Hee, hee.)
QWhat's your memory from the very first day of shooting?
AI remember we did the "thunderstorm in the bedroom" scene--raindrops on roses. It was so much fun and Julie Andrews was so nice.
QHow about the last day of shooting?
AThe last shot on the last day was the scene where we were in the parlor just after falling out of the boat (wet hair, sailor uniforms). Moments before he rolled the camera, Robert Wise (the director) told us that this was the last scene of the movie and then we were done. Of course, we all got teary-eyed for real, which was the effect Bob was going for. He was a genius.
ON THE NET: For more on Turner, go to debbieturneroriginals.com. Her Santa Claus dolls will be featured in the winter issue of "Art Doll Quarterly." So will Angela Cartwright's doll ornaments.
For more about Charmian Carr, who played Liesl, the eldest daughter, visit charmiancarr.com. Among other things there, you'll find a link to a message board, where fans discuss everything from how to visit the Austrian sites where the movie was made, to the latest news about its stars.
ED JONES is editor of The Free Lance-Star. He can be reached at 540/374-5401 or at edjones@
