The sound of musical replies

I enjoyed Hilary Hull’s piece, “A Yodeling Nun Rather Than That Saucy Blond?” (July 7). It snapped and crackled, amused and informed. Good writing!

I love “The Sound of Music” for the same reason that some (most?) critics don’t like it: simplistic, both musically and dramatically. And I share your rating of Capt. Von Trapp: kind of a thick-headed oaf, nicht wahr?

You quote two of the Baroness’ best lines: “There’s nothing more irresistible to a man ...” and “Somewhere out there is a lady who ... Auf wiedersehen, darling.”

“Darling,” yet! The way he treated her, dummkopf would be more appropriate. I wonder if the AFI considered these when deciding on the “100 Years ... 100 Movie Quotes” recently?

Lou Kilgore

Redondo Beach

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Did it ever occur to Hull that the Baroness was getting bored with Capt. Von Trapp and just wanted to move on? Don’t forget that “The Sound of Music” was a ‘60s romance, and in love stories of that era the man always chose the naive, wholesome girl next door while the sophisticated woman of the world was the home wrecker who came between the happy couple just to dump the guy after she won him.

Grace Hampton

Burbank

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I was amused and perhaps educated by Hull’s commentary about “Sound” at the Bowl. I have been fortunate enough to portray the good Capt. Von Trapp on three different occasions. Therefore, I may have a (little) insight in regard to the musical and the motives behind certain actions that took place.

I found most of what Hull said overall to be fairly accurate, except perhaps her “take” on the Baroness’ situation and Von Trapp’s “throwing over” of her when Maria returned to the estate. Had she watched very closely, it was the Baroness’ failure to support the Captain’s position on the Anschluss rather than the reappearance of Maria that turned him sour on the Baroness. She kind of said “que sera sera” in regard to the takeover by the Nazis. That hit an extremely sour note (pardon the pun) with the Captain indeed.

That short scene (along with Maria’s return) sealed the Baroness’ fate, not just the reappearance of Maria.

Richard C. Hawkes

Coto de Caza