October 12, 2013

Secondary Character Saturday: Captain Von Trapp

By ritalovestowrite

WHO: Captain Von Trapp

FROM: The Sound of Music

Looking Back, 1966 ~ "The Sound of Music&...

Looking Back, 1966 ~ “The Sound of Music” (Photo credit: e r j k p r u n c z y k)

By: Rodgers and Hammerstein

WHEN: Broadway debut — 1959, Movie — 1965

PROS: Honorable, Strong, Patriotic, the Captain can sing and looks great in a uniform. Under his rock hard outer shell he’s really a loving, kind man. (and he’s rich and handsome which a hero of a musical ought to be be if possible.)

Christopher Plummer at the 2007 Toronto Intern...

Christopher Plummer at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CONS: He’s an emotionally detached, elitist snob with awkward social skills.

BEST SHINING MOMENT: Singing Edelweiss at the Salzburg Music Festival.

LEAST SHINING MOMENT: Whistling for his children as if they were part of a Pavolovian experiment.

WHY I CHOOSE THE CAPTAIN: Lets face it, Captain Von Trapp is the the Mr. Darcy of the Musical world. He starts off aloof and disagreeable –the antithesis to our plucky warm, loveable Maria/Lizzie. He is so wrapped up in the  constraints of upper crust Austrian / Regency Society that he is practically mummified. He is as surprised as any one else when a scrappy, country flower of a girl helps him unwind and find his voice again.

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About ritalovestowrite

Unknown's avatar
Freelance writer, graphic designer, musician, foodie and Jane Austen enthusiast in Northern Baltimore County, Maryland. As a writer I enjoy both fiction and non fiction (food, travel and local interest stories.) As an advocate for the ARTS, one of my biggest passions is helping young people find a voice in all the performing arts. To that end it has been my honor to give one-on-one lessons to elementary, middle and high school students in graphic design and music. And as JANE-O I am a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, Maryland. I acted as that group's Regional Coordinator for several years. In 2025 I sat on the JASNA AGM (Annual General Meeting) Planning Committee where I held the post of Head of User Experience. I'm also the coordinator for the Maryland Jane Austen Fest in Monkton, Maryland. This year the Fest takes place on May 1, 2 and 3rd. View all posts by ritalovestowrite
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2 responses to “Secondary Character Saturday: Captain Von Trapp”

  • Adrienne Morris's avatar Middlemay Farm
    October 13th, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    I love this movie, but Meet Me in St. Louis is by far my favorite musical. The parents are so great–grumpy, lovable father and serene, secure mother. My father used to get teary-eyed (and he never got teary-eyed) watching Judy Garland sing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

    I LOVE writing about detached male snobs! The main character in my second book is one and he makes me laugh so much–though he wouldn’t think any of it is funny!

    Watching my kids sing Edelweiss at a school concert really tugged my heartstrings. I’d forgotten how handsome Christopher Plummer was.

    Reply

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