THE JOY OF JULIE

Marking Julie Andrews' 90th birthday, two 'Von Trapp' children celebrate the Sound of Music star's enduring magic

- 

When Julie Andrews arrived on the set of The Sound of Music in 1964, she had recently finished playing another iconic role - much to the delight of the youngsters playing the Von Trapp children.

“She’d just filmed Mary Poppins, and she taught us how to say ‘Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious,’” Angela Cartwright, who played Brigitta, tells Hello! in our exclusive interview. “She taught us how to say it backward, too, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten.”

Julie’s performances in the two roles - Maria, a young nun-in-training, and “practically perfect” nanny Mary, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress - made her one of the world’s biggest stars. With her beautiful singing voice, radiant presence and natural warmth, she instantly became one of its best-loved characters, too.

Now, as she celebrates her 90th birthday, Dame Julie is a Hollywood legend, with a remarkable decades-long stage and screen career featuring roles in everything from The Princess Diaries to the hit TV series Bridgerton, which she narrates in her instantly recognizable, deeply comforting tones.

As well as an Oscar, her extraordinary list of accolades includes seven Golden Globes, three Emmys, two Grammys, a BAFTA Award and a damehood.

SPECIAL CONNECTION

In honour of the British-born leading lady’s milestone birthday on Oct. 1, Hello! spoke with two actresses who starred alongside her in The Sound of Music 60 years ago, becoming, as Julie has said, “family.” They shared their memories of filming with the star in Salzburg, Austria, and the close relationship they still have with her.