Debbie Turner Reflects on 60 Years of The Sound of Music | Interview
ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to The Sound of Music’s Debbie Turner about the 60th anniversary of the iconic musical movie. Turner discussed her memories of working with Julie Andrews, how it feels to be involved in a film that’s so timeless, and more.
“Experience the breathtaking theatrical presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s iconic musical film The Sound of Music,” the synopsis for the movie’s theatrical rerelease reads. “Meticulously restored and remastered in 4K for its 60th anniversary, the beloved classic is more brilliant than ever with pristine picture and sound. In this true-life story, Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves the convent and becomes a governess to the seven unruly children of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Her warmth, charm, and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father. But when the threat of war rises, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. One of the most successful movie musicals of all time, The Sound of Music features unforgettable treasures like Edelweiss, My Favorite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, and Do-Re-Mi.”
The Sound of Music returns to theaters this weekend from Fathom Entertainment, starting on September 12. It will also be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital formats on September 23, 2025.
Brandon Schreur: In general, how does it feel now that The Sound of Music is turning 60? It’s such a big thing, and it’s so awesome to hear that the movie is going to be back in theaters this weekend. Is it ever a surreal, pinch-me kind of moment that it’s become such a big, iconic piece of art all this time later?
Debbie Turner: It’s always a pinch-me moment, of course. Who would have thought that, at age seven, 60 years later, I’d still be getting five-dollar checks from SAG for doing the movie? Woo-hoo! Some of them are less than that, it’s awful. But, no, I mean, to still have opportunities to do things and to stay in contact with my siblings from the movie. It’s always fun. We have a good time.
I’m sure. Debbie, this is the first time we’ve met, but I have a feeling that if I ask you how important filming The Sound of Music was to your childhood, you’d probably say it was pretty important. I’m sure that stands out a little bit.
Yeah, that’s one of the bigger ones.
But when you think back to that time in your life, do you have a moment or memory that stands out the most? Was there a point in time when you were filming that sticks out in your brain like, ‘That was incredible, when I think of The Sound of Music, that’s what I think of?’
Incredible or memorable? There’s a difference.
Memorable, but now I’m curious about both.
The one that sticks out in my memory is when we had to fall out of the rowboat, twice, in ice-cold spring water that’s in a mucky, mucky, icky pond that was man-made. So it’s not like a spring-fed pond. So it was murky. And it still is, if you happen to ever go there. It stinks. And we had to do it twice. That sticks out in my memory.
I’m sure. I mean, worth it for the movie. I was just watching the movie again yesterday, and that scene sticks out.
I can remember — because we had these sandals on, I remember mud getting stuck underneath. It was probably [a foot of] muck that you suck down into as you’re walking. All I can say is that I’m glad I didn’t get one of those nasty, what are they called? Leeches. I didn’t get a leech. Somebody got a leech. Thankfully, it wasn’t me!
At least you didn’t have to do it three times, too. I’m sure twice was enough.
I would have done it, if we had to. But I’m glad we didn’t.
Debbie, I was talking to Angela earlier today, and she told me that all of you von Trapp children still keep in touch a lot. You all have a Thread where you’re talking to each other, even though you’re all spread out across the continent. What does that mean to you, now? I mean, it’s been 60 years.
Across the continent? It’s really across the world. Nick is in Australia. But, yeah, we were all together in Italy last month, and we had a blast. Well, it was in July, rather. But, yeah. We just pick up where we left off every time we get together. It’s always — we kind of catch up for five minutes, and then we start being silly again.
It’s awesome because I feel like not many movies can probably say that. Sixty years later, the cast are still so close and good friends. It’s great.
That’s true, that’s true.
Debbie, I’d love to ask you a tough question that I’m sure you’ve probably been asked a lot over the course of your life.
[Laughs] A tough one?
I mean, not that tough. But in all the songs in The Sound of Music, do you have an absolute favorite? Whether it’s because of your involvement in filming the scene or one that’s just stuck in your head over the years, do you have a number one go-to?
My number one go-to is Edelweiss. Partially because, for the last 36 years, I’ve been a floral designer. And I’ve always wanted to work and have Edelweiss. Because I love the song. I mean, it brings tears to my eyes. Why? I don’t know, because it’s not my country or anything. But do you know the backstory about Edelweiss? It’s not an Austrian song. Rodgers and Hammerstein, they came up with that song, they wrote it. And when Ronald Reagan was president, apparently he wanted to go and watch The Sound of Music. His favorite song, at the time, was The Sound of Music, of course. But he picked Edelweiss from when the Austrian chancellor — or whoever it was, some dignitary from Austria came. And they played Edelweiss. Little did he know, it wasn’t one of their songs [laughs].
I did not know that. That’s crazy.
But it was his favorite movie. So that’s kind of cool.
I’m going to have to go look that up after this.
Well, did you see the movie Reagan?
Yeah.
I think there’s a reference to that in the movie. No, they wouldn’t have said anything about the chancellor. But it was in a newspaper, and I remember clipping it out years ago. I don’t know where it is. But I clipped it out because he was talking to — was there a guy named Jim Baker? It was maybe his press secretary or something? [Reagan] was like, ‘Jim, I’m going to watch The Sound of Music tonight. Leave me alone.’
You know. As one does. That’s pretty fascinating.
To think a president liked a movie that I was in? I mean, wow.
It’s The Sound of Music, it’s well-deserved. Debbie, I’d love to hear a little bit about what it was like working with Julie Andrews on the film, too. I mean, obviously, it’s Julie Andrews, we all know her, we all love her. But she was coming right off Mary Poppins at the time. Do you remember the first time you guys met and what that first interaction was like?
The first time we met, we were hopping in bed with her.
Oh, really? That scene was the first time?
Yeah, it was the thunderstorm scene. We did rehearsals with her. That was the first time I met her; I had to jump in and snuggle up to this perfect stranger that I’d never met before. She was so nice, so inviting, and so loving. Truly, just made us feel as comfortable as we could be. She’s always been just wonderful. I mean, she takes the time, when we have reunions — which isn’t often with her — but she takes the time to speak to each of us at least for a few minutes. ‘What are you up to?’ She’s interested. So I’d say she’s a diamond in the rough, and always will be.
I love that so much. So I’ve seen The Sound of Music so many times throughout the course of my life. My mom showed it to us all the time growing up; it’s her favorite movie. So I’ve seen it a lot, but one of the things I’ve always loved about this movie is how different all the von Trapp children feel. They’re all part of the same family, but they’re all their own person with struggles, trials, tribulations, and all of that. What is it about your character, Marta, that specifically spoke to you, both back then when you were filming and now as you’ve grown up with her?
Well, Marta is me. I mean, her personality, she was shy and bashful, kind of. A little precocious, sometimes. But I’m a lot like Marta. I don’t know if I was like the real — I think her name was Johanna, the real von Trapp that would have been my counterpart. But there is a book that was written by one of the von Trapps about each of the kids. I was kind of surprised to see that she was an artist, and I’m an artist. I think I read that, and I just got chills all over my body. Like, gosh, we’re a lot more alike than I ever thought. She was more of a painter, whereas I’m kind of all over the map. I do all kinds of stuff.
That’s a cool parallel there, though, that’s really cool. One last question for you, Debbie. The legacy that The Sound of Music has left on the world is obviously so huge. This movie has been passed down from generation to generation. Do you remember, at any point during the making of this movie or since then, when that really clicked for you? Do you remember a specific moment when you realized this movie is going to be an iconic thing that’s going to last for a long, long time, if not forever?
Yeah, about a week ago [laughs]. No, I mean, every time they invite us back for another reunion, the number gets bigger and bigger. It’s like, wow. How did this happen? I think part of it is, it’s one of the truly well-done, very well-made movies, thanks to the genius of Robert Wise. He was a film editor before he was a producer/director. So he really understood the backend of what he was shooting — not just shooting stuff and throwing a lot of it on the floor. That didn’t really happen much with him. He knew exactly what he wanted. And I think, because of that — what was the question?
Just at what point you kind of realized this was going to last forever.
Until it stops, I guess I’m always amazed, let’s just say.
Thanks to Debbie Turner for taking the time to talk about The Sound of Music.
Source: Comingsoon.net