Comfort Movies: The Sound of Music

The closing song for the Elliot in the Morning show on DC101 is a punked up version of “So Long, Farewell.” It makes me chuckle every time I hear it. He even mashes up a bit of Ozzy Ozbourne in toward the end. It’s brilliant. And that’s a testament to the lasting influence of the great Rodgers and Hammerstein songwriting duo of the Broadway golden years. 

When I was in high school, our drama teacher, Ms. Quinn, loved all musicals Rodgers and Hammerstein. We became well versed in the music of Oklahoma, South Pacific, and the like. We never did recreate The Sound of Music, though. It seems that the first time she did the musical at the school, she felt it was the best they could do. We must have watched the tapes of the production at least 20 times during my 3 years of drama classes. And it was very good!

I have loved the movie ever since I was a very young child. In fact, one of the stories my parents love to tell about me is the one time I tried to run away, packing up this ugly, very 1970’s avocado green bag with some clothes, walking down the block, and returning home. I said I was running away to go live with Julie Andrews, only to find that she wasn’t home. I guess I’ve always thought the world created by this movie was hopeful and comforting. 

I looked forward to watching this movie on TV each holiday season, as did my parents. It was their favorite. So, of course it made sense that they would enable my love for it as well. 

When we finally had devices to play movies at home, the VHS tape quickly became a part of my collection. Does anyone else remember when longer movies were issued on two tapes? Later, I upgraded to DVD, and now Blu Ray. I even have the CD for sing-a-longs. 

I wouldn’t call my love for this movie an obsession, but it is among the movies that I classify as comfort movies. You know the ones. The movies you watch when you are feeling anxious or sick, and you just really need a familiar, good, uplifting story to restore your faith in humanity. My blu ray got lots of play time during the height of the pandemic.

My younger daughter just returned from a trip to Hampton for a robotics competition, and she was exhausted. She wanted to watch this movie on her first day home. I completely understood. It seems I’ve created the next generation of The Sound of Music fans.

What could be more badass than a family fighting fascism? Truly. Mixed with a tremendous love story, too. And maybe the songs are cheesy, but who cares? If it’s cool enough for Elliot in the Morning, well, that speaks volumes for its continued cultural significance. This movie brings me comfort and joy. And some days, that’s exactly what we need. 

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This movie is perhaps the reason why I became curious about learning more about World War II and the atrocities of the Holocaust, reading books like The Diary of Anne Frank. On bad days, I will watch this movie for comfort like it’s a weighted blanket. It’s currently streaming on Disney+.

As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.