J-scribe

Regulars to this blog will already be aware of two things: 1) I’m a hopeless romantic and 2) I’m a big fan of ABC TV’s ‘The Chaser's War on Everything’ – the satire that plugs the gaps in enterprising journalism.

But this week I had a conflict of interest. The Chaser’s endlessly talented Andrew Hansen – renowned for his witty musical skits – had the temerity to lampoon Julie Andrews! I know! And not just in any old role…as Maria Von Trapp in the Sound of Music!! And not just in any scene…in one of my favourite scenes!!! Yes, I’m a tragic SOM fan…seen the movie umpteen times, recently sat in the second row of the Palladium performance in London, own the DVD…even went on an SOM tour in Salzburg way before it was popular to be a daggy fan of 60’s musicals.

So, back to the scene in question. Surely you know it: “These are a few of my favourite things – when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad…I simply remember my favourite things and then I don’t feel sooooo bad” Julie/Maria sings to the Von Trapp children as they crowd onto her four poster bed to seek comfort in the middle of a thunderstorm. It’s a thing of celluloid beauty, that scene…a memory of childhood innocence. Stop it, I’m serious! Which is why I was so appalled by that Hansen bloke I almost couldn’t laugh at his skit.

Dressed as Julie/Maria, he impersonated her vocals (rather well, I have to say) and inverted the lyrics – it was like listening to back-masking…twisted, perverted man. Then he danced around the set strangling the kids one by one before fantasizing about his favourite thing…exploding Julie/Maria on the top of that green Austrian hill just as she’s about to launch into “The hills are alive…” Sacrilege!

Don’t you get it, Andrew? Against her will, rebellious novice Julie/Maria is turfed out of the convent to care for the emotionally neglected Von Trapp children, but discovers it’s their father – the damaged, withdrawn Captain Von Trapp – not God, she wants to marry. She awakens the children’s sense of fun, wins their love and then wins the heart of the Captain who’s impervious shell she’s unintentionally cracked – what’s not to love!?!?! Oh, and how could I forget? There are Nazis! Everyone loves to hate a Nazi…even when they sing. Then there's the escape from the Nazis over the Alps in the dead of night! Romance, high drama, Austrian hills, happy songs, a fight against injustice - this film's got it all!

So, I say hands off Julie Andrews ‘Chasers’ or I may just have to move you down my list of favourite things.    [read more]