Here are a few things you might not know about this movie:

1. Based on the Von Trapp family from Austria.
2. The first American television airing was on ABC on February 29, 1976 to record ratings. ABC then had a contract dispute with FOX. The film wasn’t seen on TV again until NBC acquired the broadcast rights. NBC started showing it again in 1979 for 20 years. NBC let the contract lapse and ABC started showing it again in 2003. It airs at Easter on ABC Family and Christmas time on ABC.
3. During the filming of the opening shot of Julie Andrews taken from a helicopter, Julie Andrews relates that although she tried digging her heels into the ground and bracing herself, on every take she was knocked over by the powerful helicopter downdraft.
4. Among kids who auditioned to play one of the Von Trapp children were Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Veronica Cartwright, Patty Duke and the four eldest Osmond Brothers (Alan Osmond, Jay Osmond, Merrill Osmond and Wayne Osmond). Dreyfuss couldn’t dance.
5. Kym Karath (Gretl) couldn’t swim, so the original idea was to get Julie Andrews to catch her when the boat tips up and they all fall in the water. However, during the second take the boat toppled over so that Andrews fell to one side and Karath fell to the other. Heather Menzies (Louisa) had to save her instead. Andrews stated later she felt guilty about this for years.
6. The song “Edelweiss” was written for the musical and is little known in Austria. The song was the last that Oscar Hammerstein II wrote before his passing in 1960.
7. In real life, Captain Von Trapp was not stern. The Trapp children were upset and disturbed by the portrayal of their father in the film. Maria Von Trapp requested that director Robert Wise soften the character of her husband, but Wise refused.
8. The soundtrack album on the RCA Victor label has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and has never been out of print.
9. The movie was filmed on location in Salzburg, Austria and Bavaria in Southern Germany, and also at the 20th Century Fox Studios in California.
10. This fact is for all the scrapbookers and artists out there. Angela Cartwright who started as Brigitta von Trapp is now a well known photographer and Mixed Media artist based in CA.

Here is a little trivia on Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

1.  Mr. Potter is played by Lionel Barrymore, grandfather of Drew Barrymore
2.  NBC is the only network licensed to show “It’s a Wonderful Life” since 1993. Thus, only showing it twice, once on Christmas Eve. This is why you do not see it on any other broadcast or cable network, not even AMC or TMC.
3. The movie was originally slated for 1947 release, but when Technicolor was unable to deliver prints in time for RKO’s Christmastime 1946 release of Sinbad the Sailor (1947), Frank Capra’s film was rushed into theaters. The titles were not reshot, and thus bear a 1947 copyright. At $3.7 million, this was a very expensive independent production. In its initial box office run, it only earned $3.3 million. It was considered intially to be  a flop.
4. 350,000 feet of film were used.
5. The scene on the bridge where Clarence saves George was filmed on a back lot on a day where the temperature was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why James Stewart is visibly sweating in a few scenes.
6. This film is one of five times Beulah Bondi portrayed James Stewart’s mother.
7. As Uncle Billy is leaving George’s house drunk, it sounds as if he stumbles over some trash cans on the sidewalk. In fact, a crew member dropped some equipment right after Uncle Billy left the screen. Both actors continued with the scene (“I’m all right, I’m all right!”) and director Frank Capra decided to use it in the final cut. He gave the clumsy stagehand a $10 bonus for “improving the sound.”
8.The gym floor that opens up to reveal a swimming pool was real and was located at Beverly Hills High School in Los Angeles.
9. In 1947, however, the FBI considered this anti-consumerist message as subversive Communist propaganda because of its potrayal of BANKERS!!!!
10. Contrary to popular belief Bert and Ernie of Sesame St. fame, were not named after the cop and taxi driver in the movie.