My first crush in literature was the vet Siegfried Farnon, the rather strict older brother of Tristan and boss of James Herriot. To me he wasn’t the bad tempered, somewhat old character played by Robert Hardy in the tv series but a late thirtyish batchelor with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Even then I had an empathy for him.
In the recent tv series , Siegfried is played quite wonderfully by Samuel West and boy have I been transported back to my teenage crush years , I can just see Samuel with a hole in his jumper.
A young dog went missing for a week and her distraught owners finally located her with a collection of wonderful strangers who sent drones up to find the frightened animal.
The reunion is wonderfully uplifting
As a 63 year old, who was overstimulated by a child by the LP continually played by sister Ann, I had an open mind , but I really loved it .
Julie Andrews was a revelation, she really dominated every scene she was in and only once was she out shadowed and that was when Mother Superior Peggy Wood belted out Climb Every Mountain from the shadows of her office.
The children were delightful, Eleanor Parker proved to be a suitable sort of baddie, and the nuns knowing smiles made the movie for me .
It was gayer than any gay I have ever known
Wonderful
And lastly my other hero Patricia Routledge has died in her 90s . I first loved her as Victoria Wood’s Kitty in the 1980s but she has always been a firm favourite with middle England for her real life portrayal of a British spinster. Her performance of a sad, inconsequential character in Alan Bennett’s A Woman Of No Importance , broke your heart in its pathos and proved that the old gal was not only a talented comedian but an actress of worth
I watched an old Parkinson interview with Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards, her husband, on BBC4 last night. She spoke about some of the film and scenes, it was interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy much loved gran took me to see The Sound of Music at The Dominion in Tottenham Court Road, I was 11, I loved the film and felt so grown up going up to the West EndEnd.Carole R.
I watched the same interview, she was gracious and diffident to her husband I thought
DeleteI have been putting on her Hetty Wainthropp series while I clean, do dishes, etc. I had watched an interview w/her a few months ago; she talked about trying new things, etc., no matter your age. She really was lovely.
ReplyDeleteHer thoughts re her approaching death were moving “ When I approach the pearly gates, I'd like to hear a champagne cork popping, an orchestra tuning up and the sound of my mother laughing.”
DeleteConfession time - I have never watched the Sound of Music. My husband saw it numerous times as a child, as it was his aunt's favourite film and she used to take him several times a week. I think we have the DVD so I must give it a go. I have the feeling it will make a nice Sunday afternoon film!
ReplyDeletePatricia Routledge was a fine actor. Comedy, drama, pathos, she could do it all. xx
Let me know your review
DeleteThe Sound of Music is my mother's favourite and I usually avoid it, too many times seeing it as a child. It even gave my my name.
ReplyDeleteStorm Amy was squeaky bum time as I drove home from the west coast of Wales home through it.
My sister ann played the music continually every Sunday when I was a small child
DeleteI couldn’t count the number of times I have watched The Sound of Music and enjoyed it. I came to Patricia Routledge late. Had seen her in many things, but never knew her name as an actress until Keeping Up Appearances. Then I lapped up everything I could find.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the drama more than the songs to be honest
DeleteJames Heriot has a museum dedicated to him in Thirsk, Noth Yorkshire, where as Alf, he was the local vet. His friend, Sister Ann Lily, the first female radiographer in the North of England, inspired many of his stories and appeared in a series of roles, including memorably the batty old lady who rehabilitated an abused neglected dog abandoned in a shed.
ReplyDeleteSister Ann, who died aged 102, was an inspiration. She ran her own rescue, Sister Ann's Waifs And Strays, and rescued a tiny sheltie called Rex, who came to us (I am still looking for his replacement rescue!) She treated all her rescues as her children, and all received her handmade Christmas and Easter cards. All who knew her still miss her....one of a kind who even as a centenarian would whip photos out from beneath the blanket of her wheelchair to blag free treatments for her rescues from vets she could, and did, wrap around her mischievous little finger. Unique.
Oh Liz you have brought to life the real man, who looked an incredibly warm character
DeleteMy grandfather was a country Vet looking after dairy cows mostly and my mom would tell me stories about going on calls with him by horse and cart, before cars. Sadly I have forgotten the stories. My uncle and cousin also became Vets, but small animal ones. I took my 2 yr. Old daughter to see the Sound of Music when she was two, while on vacation in Florida and it only cost a buck so when she wanted to go back again the next two days, we did. She loved it and was quiet for the whole time. A few years ago we went to Austria on a riverboat cruise and they played the film in our room and I must say she once again loved it. Myself, I loved Mrs. Bucket Bouquet.. she was so incredibly funny as her timing was always perfect. Glad your storm has finally settled. We are having a heat wave the last couple of days here in Toronto .Yesterday got up to 28C. Gigi
ReplyDeleteAs a 6 year old I was bored, loved your vet stories
DeleteTSOM was the first film I ever saw twice, aged 7. I came home announcing I was either going to be a nun or an actress. My father said, 'No daughter of mine is going to be a nun.' So the stage was set, as it were. Loved, loved, loved it.
ReplyDeleteAnd did you become an actress?
DeleteI attended a Catholic girl's school run by nuns until I was 11 and all the leavers that year were taken to see the Sound of Music as an end of year treat. This was in 1966 so it was still a new film in the UK. I didn't know anything about WW2 really so that part went over my head but we were all swooning over the romance of it all. On the way home we visited a monastery for milk (from cows kept by the monks) and a picnic. One of the girls fell into a cowpat so the coach trip back home was memorable.
ReplyDeleteA lovely memory thank u xx
DeleteI saw TSOM with friends when I was 14 and we all enjoyed it, especially Julie Andrews' amazing voice.
ReplyDeleteWe've always been late to the BBC party but did see Ms Routledge in Keeping Up Appearance which we thought a hoot.
Will look for Siegfried as I loved the Herriot books.
Am glad Amy didn't do more damage in the village.
Hugs!
Just a few slates from the village hall
DeleteFound Hetty Wainthrop on catch up TV and watched S1 Ep1 last night. Its held up surprisingly well. Patricia Routledge was a great actress and I loved her in the Alan Bennett monologues. Xx
ReplyDeleteHetty wainthrop was a bit saccharine for me
DeleteA lost dog is a sad sight indeed. Heartwarming when there's a happy ending, though.
ReplyDeleteI saw the Sound of Music as a play, and when they were singing just prior to making their escape, the stage went dark and suddenly the 'Nazis' were pounding through the auditorium doors, shouting and running down the aisles to the stage. It was unexpectedly frightening.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, here we are.
I also saw so much about the Talking Heads 'A Woman of No Importance' that i looked it up. Patricia Routledge really was a great actress, going from haughty and self important to becoming the woman in the bed next to her that she criticized for not 'making an effort'.
DeleteDebby, she broke your heart and the became such a hero in her piece “ a lady of letters”
DeleteI adored Patricia Routledge's monologues. They were pure genius.
ReplyDeleteHer “kitty” mini monologues were genius under her direction
DeleteMy parents (both gone now) adored Patricia Routledge's comedic turn as the obnoxious Hilary Bucket, so I have been thinking of them lately because of the news of her passing.
ReplyDeleteMy mother enjoyed her too
DeleteWasn't it Hyacinth Bucket aka Bouquet?
DeleteIndeed xx
DeleteWe have a local person who regularly uses their drone to search for missing animals, and I have seen a few lovely reunions like that one, I tear up every time. Imagine how distressed a little dog must be to have lost their owners after a moments thoughtlessness chasing after a good smell or being spooked by something on a walk. The relief in their little minds must be so overwhelming. I have not seen the Sound of Music for years, I should watch it again
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it sue
DeleteI was also sorry about Patricia Routledge, though she lived a long and fruitful life. We should all be so fortunate to get to 96! Very sweet to see the canine reunion.
ReplyDeleteI love her quote about her approaching death
Delete“ When I approach the pearly gates, I'd like to hear a champagne cork popping, an orchestra tuning up and the sound of my mother laughing.”
I loved the James Herriot books years ago and have been enjoying the series on my PBS station.
ReplyDeleteI will have to look for Patricia Routledge's movies as I don't think I have ever seen any of hers but they sound good. She looks familiar to me tho.
She did make a few movies but no of much note she was primarily a small screen and stage actor.
DeleteI loved watching Keeping Up Appearances and reading and watching All Creatures Great and Small - both the original and the current version. I will admit to finding the current Siegfried very handsome :-)
ReplyDeleteHe’s rather dashing isn’t he?
DeleteThose Alan Bennett monologues are so moving.
ReplyDeleteYes, please, to Samuel West. We may have to arm wrestle for him, John.
Bonnie in Minneapolis
I’d win Bonnie, I’d win
DeleteWhat a delightful compilation of thoughts today. Still love TSOM , really miss Patricia Routledge (and Jane Goodall) and glad your heavy weather is moving on. I haven’t seen Siegfried but I’ll look for it. Have a happy.
ReplyDeleteJane Goodall was another hero of mine, I adored her gentle nature and listened with amazement to her first proper encounter with a chimp
DeleteI took the Sound of Music tour when I had a concussion in Salzburg. My favourite thing!
ReplyDeleteI was a g@y version in San Francisco with every nun bearded …amazing
DeleteYou win!
DeleteI’ve just seen one battle after another at met cinema
ReplyDeleteIt was great
Lee
I saw it this evening with Janet , I enjoyed it , but too long xx
DeleteWhen I was in junior high school, our school principal loved The Sound of Music so much that he took the whole school in buses to see the movie ! It was just a grand time and I have loved the movie ever since!
ReplyDeleteLinda from Alabama
It’s seminal in many lifetimes linda
DeleteI hated it , just saying
ReplyDeleteKeith
Xx
Good for u
DeleteI remember the people queing right down the street in Nottingham to see the Sound of Music. I didn't see it till years later on t.v.
ReplyDelete'Sound of Music' singing in film (warning: at great risk of spoiling for some their 'precious' memories perhaps?) :-
ReplyDeletePeggy Wood's singing voice came from one Margery McKay, Wood's own voice at her age, not managing the high demands .
Plummer's singing was actually from a Bill Lee, who had also dubbed for John Kerr in 'South Pacific' film.
I read somewhere, though can't find it now, that the singing of the seven Von Trapp children was actually provided by mini-choir of eleven youngsters. Whether this included some (or even all?) of the film children I can't recall.
So there you are, with apologies if I've spoilt it for some.