The “Sound of Music” Connection

Rodgers and Hammerstein

“The hills are alive with the sound of music.”
- Rodgers and Hammerstein

Oscar Hammerstein II first teamed up with Richard Rodgers in the 1940s. Rodgers was the composer, Hammerstein the lyricist. The pair soon had an impressive list of Broadway musical hits, beginning with “Oklahoma!” in 1943. As with “The Sound of Music,” almost all of their Broadway productions were later turned into successful movie musicals: “State Fair” (1945 and 1962), “Show Boat” (1955), “Carmen Jones” (1954), “Oklahoma!” (1955), “Carousel” (1956), “The King and I” (1956), “South Pacific” (1958) and “Flower Drum Song” (1961).

The Sound of Music
Original Broadway Cast
Audio CD
Also see the Soundtrack CD from the movie.

Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) was the grandson of Berlin-born Oscar Hammerstein I (1847-1919). His better-known songs include “Ol' Man River” (for “Show Boat” in 1927), “The Last Time I Saw Paris” (Lady Be Good) and “It Might As Well Be Spring” (State Fair). He won Academy Awards for the last two songs.

Unfortunately, Hammerstein died in August 1960, just nine months after the play opened and five years before the movie success that would take his lyrics literally around the world. The last song he worked on with Richard Rogers was “Edelweiss,” one of the songs that people most identify with the musical and the movie.

While three songs from the original Broadway production were cut from the film version, two new songs (“Something Good” and “I Have Confidence in Me”) were added by Rodgers at Robert Wise's request.

ALSO SEE:
A "Sound of Music" Sampler
Books | CDs | DVDs | Video

N E X T > Shooting Locations

More “Sound of Music”

Introduction
SOM 1: The Directors
SOM 2: Maria von Trapp
SOM 3: Rodgers and Hammerstein
SOM 4: Shooting Locations
SOM 5: Links
A "Sound of Music" Sampler

Previous | Home| Film People | Film Studios | Next

Visit our Video Shop

Copyright © 1997-2005 Hyde Flippo