If Period Drama Characters had Internet Bios #5 - {Musical edition}

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

@FrauleinMARIA Music is life, curtains make great clothes, God is good; have confidence in sunshine!

@CaptainGeorg_vonTrapp Call me captain.

@Liesl_vonTrapp 🍸👗 16 going on 17; don't need a governess; old enough to taste my first champagne. 💓 Telegrams.

@Friedrich_vonTrapp I'M IMPOSSIBLE.

@Louisa_vonTrapp i'm brigitta just kidding lol, i'm louisa! i can climb up waterpipes with a jar of spiders in my hand. #beware

@Kurt_vonTrapp Apparently I'm Incorrigable. COOL.😁

@Brigitta_vonTrapp 丨Bookworm丨Hate ugly dresses丨Dark hair丨

@Marta_vonTrapp I love my pink parasol. I'm seven. 

@Gretl_vonTrapp 🖐

@heil_ROLF German telegraph boy with handsome brown shirt. #me

@UncleMaxDetweiler I like the way I live when I'm with rich people. Better still, talented ones. #vontrappfamilysingers

@The_baroness Blonde beauty, fiancé to a rich captain. I play harmonica and like the word 'boarding school.'

@FrauSchmidt Beware of frogs.

@Mother_Abbess Climb every mountain, tiiiiil youuuu fiiiiiind youuuuuur dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeam!

@SisterBerthe I am a nun, @FrauleinMARIA is a clown.

MARY POPPINS

@The_Mary_Poppins I'm suoicodilaipxecitsiligarfilacrepus; practically perfect in every way. Now spit spot.

@thatguyBert Chimney sweepah, paivment paintah, music playah. #Stepintime

@Jane_Banks Wanted: a nanny for two adorable children. Contact me if you fit requirements! I promise I'm an angel.

@Michael_Banks Teach me how to snap my fingers plz i need this in my life.

@Mr_Banks I update this bio every year, January 3rd, at 3:51: on the dot. Punctuality is key!

@WinifredBanks Votes for Women! (ssh don't tell darling husband about this account!)

@Uncle_Alfred LOVE TO LAUGH LOLOLOLOLOLLLL

@The_Senior_Mr_Dawes Invest your tuppence, safely in the bank, @Michael_Banks!

@Admiral_Bloom don't ask me why I do what I do.

@Katienanna goodbye

@Thebird_Woman Feed the birds; tuppence a bag. Feed the birds; tuppence a bag. etc.

@the_penguins we dance better than bert lol and pamela travers hates us lol

MY FAIR LADY

@Liza_Doolit'l 🥀🍫i'm a GOOD gerl y AM8! ain't nothin bad 'bout me not even my haccent! y ate enry iggins! 

@Henry_Higgins My dear little guttersnipe, @Liza_Doolit'l, you did not eat me because I am still alive as I write. Now do your exercises.

@ColonelPickering Have faith; be kind: speak well.

@Alfred_Doolittle gettin' married in the morning; wont elaborate because t'might get vulgar! lol!

@Mrs_Pearce I could do with less noise in the house. Poor professor Higgins.

@Freddy_Eynsford_Hill No place on earth where I would rather be than on the street of my beloved crush. #truelovethistime

@MRS_Higgins @Henry_Higgins, you do NOT call someone a guttersnipe online. That's rude, darling.

Saving Mr Banks ~ Review

Well, apparently I just watched this movie two times in these last three days.

That means it's good, for starters. It also means that I REALLY love this movie; just as much as I expected, and THAT means it's hilarious and emotional and crazily good all in one. I never knew movies could be REALLY sad and REALLY really hilarious at the same time, (but now I do. One learns things every day, as they say.)

This movie is precious. Two hours of sheer delight and glory and beauty - a feast for zee eyes, and all that. I am all agog. The music, the scenery, the costumes, the hairstyles... loved it.

Like a large group of people out there, Mary Poppins was a part of my childhood. Some bits creeped me out completely (such as the bird woman; the song Feed the Birds, the died-laughing-scene and the old tuppence man. SO CREEPY.) but all in all I love that musical a LOT. From Julie Andrews' twinkly eyes, to the Suffragette tail of a kite, to the tea on the ceiling, to the scrumptiously fun songs.

I have to say it. 'Mary Poppins' is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical. (Goodness blogger, don't put a red squiggly line under that word. Become a musical geek.)

Then I heard it. A movie on the making of Mary Poppins?!!! About how Travers hated it?!!! YES PLEASE. I watched and rewatched the excellent trailer and the little scenes + deleted scenes on Youtube endlessly, like I always do before watching a movie - and then I saw it AND I LOVED IT. So much, that I saw it twice. In three days. :-)

Okay. What do I say now? I've said I loved it. I've rambled about my love of Mary Poppins. Oh yes, I have to review Saving Mr Banks. Sorry.

The movie is hilarious. I laughed a lot; and so did my siblings and my dad and my mum. Mrs Travers (never ever just Pamela. And NEVER Pam. Really, Mr Dinsey, what are you thinking?) is the nicest annoying character ever - Emma Thompson did an impeccable job - she really deserved an Oscar for this role; I have no idea why she didn't get one. No really, Pamela Travers is a hilarious character. She's rude and sophisticated and loveable and really annoying all in one. I would probably hate her in real life (she would probably not get along with me), but I absolutely love her as a character. I've been quoting her non-stop these past days. Don't I sound like a pleasant kind of person?

Don: Could I give you a word of advice, Mrs Travers?
Mrs Travers: You may: whether I heed it or not is another matter entirely.

Mrs Travers: Responstable - is not a word.
The Sherman brothers: We made it up.
Mrs Travers: Well... un-make it up.

Mrs Travers: The rain brings life.
Ralph: So does the sun.
Mrs Travers: Be Quiet.
Ralph: Yes ma'am. (No problem-o!)

Mrs Travers: Mr Disney, I cannot even begin to tell you how uninterested - no, positively sickened I am to - to visit your dollar-printing machine!
(She's talking about Disney-land. Just in case you were wondering.)

Mrs Travers: Oh - I love it - I really do! Although the proper English would be 'Let us go and Fly a Kite.'
*tries singing it*
I might be able to overlook that.

Mrs Travers: Good afternoon. I fear we shan't be acquainted for very long.

Mrs Travers: I understand your predicament, Mr Disney, really, I do. But it's just... I don't know what it is. I've just simply gone off the colour!

Also, her facial expressions and pearls and curls and lipstick and clothes... just SO ON POINT. I loved it. Gah, I love this movie. :-) I had so much fun watching it. (Also, that scene where she sees all the Disney stuffed animals in her hotel room. Just hahaha.)

Then we also had Mr Disney, acted by a moustached Tom Hanks. I adored his interaction with Pamela (Mrs Travers, I mean. I do beg your pardon. I have American friends.) because they're like, opposites. It made for some highly humorous dialogues.

Mr Disney - Walt: Why, I could just about eat you up!
Mrs Travers: Well that wouldn't be appropriate.

And the Sherman brothers... I loved the Sherman brothers. They were adorable and musical - and poor guys, they tried so hard. Song after song, Mrs Travers called them 'the worst songs ever.' It was so funny seeing the facial expressions between the two brothers during 'Let's go fly a kite' - the song Pamela finally approves of. They're like, 'YAY BRO CAN YOU BELIEVE IT OMG SHE'S DANCING AND SINGING AND PUTTING HER HAND ON YOUR SHOULDER OHMYGOODNESS.'

My favourite Sherman brother was Bob - Robert - but I loved Richard too. Robert just IS my favourite because of this scene...

"Yep."

I LOVE IT. :-)

Mrs Travers: What happened to his leg?
Richard: He got shot.
Mrs Travers: Well that's hardly surprising.
(She's so mean! But still. All the people who watch this film can't help but love her. It's very weird how these things work.)

Dolly!

My sister and I love Dolly. She's so cute - her American accent is the cutest American accent I've ever heard. Especially her, 'Yes ma'am's.' I love her clothes; the turquoise one, and the yellow one up there - and her hair. How does she get it so big?!!

Dolly: She has a lot of ideas.
Walt: Oh? What kind of ideas?
Dolly: Mrs Banks' name has been changed to Winifred.
Walt: I can do with that.
Dolly: She does not approve of Dick van Dyke.
Walt: *laughs*
Dolly: The tape measure Mary Poppins uses to measure Jane and Michael must be a roll tape, not a ruler. From now on, she only wants soup and broth - I don't know what that is. There must be no hint of romance between Mary Poppins and Bert. There must be no red in the picture.
Walt: *stares*
Dolly: At all.

Ralph!!!! He was my favourite character. Zee end. :-)

Seriously though - he's so kind. Curious, like me (You ask an awful lot of questions, you know) but he's so caring and such a good sort, you know. I love how he always wants to hold the doors open for Mrs Travers, and how he loves his daughter Jane so. And when Mrs Travers signs his book. That was so sweeeeet. I love how excited he gets about Mr Disney being in Disneyland, and Mrs Travers is like, 'Ugh, rotten man. Who cares?' (I also love his little Mickey Mouse badge.)

I LOVED RALPH.

Mrs Travers: You know, you're the only American I've ever liked.
Ralph: May I ask why?
Mrs Travers: No.

I didn't like the flashbacks as much - in fact, I thought there were too many of them. It was just too sad and... I don't know; I just didn't like them as much. Helen Goff annoyed me; and Travers Goff... annoyed me a lot. (He reminded me of Michael Landon, too.)

What I did like about the flashbacks:
1. The Australian scenery. IT'S GORGEOUS. Those palm trees though.
2. Margaret's costumes. Especially the white lace top. Love it.
3. When THE AUNT comes. I like the aunt.
4. "Close your mouth Biddy. We are not a codfish."
5. That's all.

The Première scenes were exquisite, the Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke lookalikes done very well. And then...... sniff-time. When Pamela Travers cries during the movie, I cry during the movie. Very emotional.

Walt: Don't worry, He'll be all right in the end. I promise!
Pamela: No... it's just that I can't stand cartoons!
(You and I, Pamela, you and I.)

There was much less Content than I had expected. The scene where Margaret Goff attempts to drown herself is a bit... weird, but nothing actually happens. There are some scenes in the flashbacks about Travers getting drunk and all that, that might be inappropriate for young children. We, however, watched it with the whole family and didn't feel the extreme need to skip over scenes. The language is mild, too.

ALL IN ALL. I loved it.

Have you seen this movie?

What do you think?

How the World of Musicals works

 

 Music keeps us happy, tears us up, touches our heart, makes us jump and tap our toes. Music is amazing - it really is. It's like magic. The other day I was listening to a beautiful sweeping soundtrack, just crying. And it struck me how powerful just a few violins can be - how a specific blend of melodies can snap bring tears to my eyes in a normal day. And then the other day I was listening to a snappy old ragtime, suddenly finding myself dancing all over my room in the dark in my pyjamas. The music just forced me to dance - even though I was almost dozing off with the mp3player things in my ears. They just DID something to me that made me throw off my covers and start moving my legs and snapping my fingers.

 

But still, although music is powerful and does an enormous amount of things in everyone's lives, we do not live in musicals, where the magic doubles and practically everything is possible. Alas we don't. But if we did, all sorts of things would happen...

 

Rain is a perfect excuse for a good song. Of course, there's two very different ways you can go - you can go the romantic, sad way with rain rolling and mingling with your tears, or the optimistic way, holding an umbrella you hardly ever use because singing in the rain just makes you so happy again, right? Right?!!

 

 

Or you don't have to sing about rain, if you're happy and dry under a big umbrella. You can sing about the umbrella - or the fella with the umbrella, or whatever! You'll find the lyrics immediately - they will come rolling on your tongue as you walk. I promise. It just HAPPENS, and rain is always a bonus. The songs in the rain are always the popular ones, you'll see.

 

 

Start dancing. No really, just start. Do complicated stuff with your hands and your sticks and bottles or with whatever you happen to be having. Once YOU start, loads of other people will come behind you and do exactly the same things as you do - like a mirror. There won't be a single mistake and it'll cause quite a sensation. You'll see.

 

Oh, and if you happen to be in a rather um... risky place, don't worry. Even if it's the rooftops. Just dance them socks off, do weird things, and people will come and make it into a beautiful symmetrical scene.

 

 

Everyone just knows what to do. It's awesome.

 

 

Always wear tap-shoes. This is crucial, guys and dolls, this is crucial. You want to know why? Because you might need 'em, that's why. You never know when you're big tap-dancing scene will come up, when a soundtrack will pop up in your day. You need those tapping shoes ready to dance flawlessly.

 

Oh, and wear a big smile whenever you dance. Even if you're tired as can be, never show it. Just dance on and on. Only when you're really finished and when the music suddenly stops, you may collapse on an (upside down? Why not.) sofa, laughing hysterically. Because it WILL be fun.

 

 

 

Wear bright clothes. Have you noticed how (in most musicals) everyone wears the most deplorably colourful outfits? Yellow here, red there, purple there, bam pink, blue there, lime-green over here. Rainbow jumbles everywhere, and bah - don't worry about historical accuracy for this time - it's all about music. You may wear your hair down, ladies, and it may look like a wig. So yes, wear colour.

 

As for more outfits tips - men, tuxedos are very good - caps if your name is Dick van Dyke, sporty look if your name is Gene Kelly and a fine black top hat if your name is Fred Astaire. All matched with tapping-shoes of the finest kind, of course.

 

Ladies, colourful dresses in unique models and shapes and combinations. Go for ridiculous stuff. Frothy petticoats are advised, and so are not-too-short hemlines because you're bound to swirl and twirl in your dress. Or you can just go for my favourite look - a white dress with blue satin sashes. (Got it? Got it?)

 

 

Oh, and if you're aiming for fame, try bright red shoes with sparkles. Judy Garland is one of the most famous actresses to date, so that proves it works.

 

 

Never say you can't sing. Because that's ridiculous. Everybody can sing, but sometimes it only takes a super-nanny who can swing a heavy guitar AND a satchel with all her earthly belongings while singing and dancing unashamedly to convince you. And you'll see - you'll be singing like a pro five minutes after your first lesson. And dance on the bargain. Even if you're five.

 

 

Apparently the singing gets better when you look out of a window. Better still, if you sit on the windowsill. Because yeah, you might have an audience watching you. (And remember, if you're singing with a group, see that you're nicely posed (nice and symmetrical, you know) and that the little ones know all the lyrics. Of course, they will.)

 

 

 

Music is magical in musicals, but it rarely affects animals, unless they are drawn by a handsome chimney sweeper. So if you want your robin to calmly stay on your finger with the scene, you'll have to use some kind of clay-cardboard-prop. (Seriously though, readers, robins look like THIS.)

 

I would LOVE to be in a musical just for oooone day. But nome, that's not going to happen unless it's all going to get arranged and rehearsed for. :-P But still, it's nice to dream. And really, the musical world is MAGIC. It's so unreal, and yet we hardly ever realise it.

 

I hope you're having a happy musical day!

My favourite Period Drama Fathers

I haven't done a Period Drama post like this one since last year! *gasp* Anyway, I thought I'd take you through some of my favourite Period Drama Fathers. (And no, it isn't Father's Day here where I live- I just felt like writing this post and therefore I wrote it. My body works that way.)

I know. I like Mr Banks the whole way through, but of course he isn't a good father in the beginning. But in the end... ohmyword, I LURVE how he's such a lovely father in the end. When he goes and flies a kite with a hole in his hat, singing on the street with no ashamedness whatsoever.

Dear Mr Bennet. How you amuse me continuously! Of course, Mr Bennet is Benjamin Whitrow; (I don't need the huge-toothed-pirate from not-P&P, thanks.) Mr Bennet in P&P is hilarious. Honestly, hands down, my favourite character in Pride and Prejudice. And that - you must be aware of - says SO much, because P&P has loads and loads of darling complex characters with interesting personalities. So firstly, let's talk about his character.

He is DRY. (No, of course not in the nappy-sense. Ahhem. Vulgarity is no substitute for wit, Naomi Bennet.) His sense of humour, I mean, is SO ridiculously, hilariously, DRY. Sarcastic, I suppose, that is. Sardonic, sarcastic, humorous, teasing. And he always knows what to say - his Lizzy inherited it from him. This makes practically every syllable he utters part of a one-liner which makes and re-makes people laugh when ever the watch and re-watch him calmly say them. His quotes are therefore Hilarious. My favourite will always be the 'an un-happy alternative' one. If you don't know what I mean about 'the un-happy alternative' one, RE-WATCH P&P. Or you can ask me in the comments and I'll write down the whole quote for you. I know, I'm in a good mood today because it's Saturday.

Also, I know it ain't important, but I love how Mr Bennet looks like. I believe Jane Austen pictured him exactly like Mr Whitrow - twinkly amused eyes, kind of messy hair and a tiny smile always lankering around his thin lips.

Of course, we all know that Mr Bennet isn't the best father in the world - he's kind of not-interested-in-his-children (if her name isn't Lizzy, haha.) But still, I just can't help but love Mr Bennet. He's just an adorable teddy-bear dad. Not at all perfect, takes delight in nerving his wife (is that a verb?) but still, I LOVE HIM. Mr Bennet is definitely one of my favourite Period Drama daddies. (why does blogger put a red squiggly line underneath 'Bennet'? No, blogger. You won't make me spell it with two T's. YOU WILL NEVER CONVINCE ME.)

Poor Nels Oleson.

He has a snickery, bickery, peckery annoying wife who domineers him like a dog, and two children (Nellie and Willie) who never listen to a word he says because his wife spoils them like mad. He's continually embarrassed in front of strangers, as you might imagine. Most of the time, he stays kind and calm -- people know he's 'the good Oleson'. I just love him... he's so sweet and I feel so sorry for him.

He's a good dad --- or would be if it weren't for his wife.

Continuing in Little House on the Prairie, Mr Edwards as a dad... is priceless. In the beginning, one never expects he could be a father, ever, but then he marries, adopts three children, and does SUCH a good job.

Captain von Trapp, when he changes, is such a lovely dad. Of course, always a bit on the strict side, haha, but still - I like him as a father. I love how he mostly remains serious, but sometimes goes and does something funny with the children. Like when he tickles Kurt, and carries Marta. Oh, and in the scene where the children tell him they've been berry-picking... PRICELESS.

The Lionel Logue character is the best character there ever is. You probably won't believe me, but Lionel Logue is one my favourite characters of all.time. He is just such a lovely, kind person. At first people think he's rude, weird, childish, very weird. But he has such a heart of gold. HE IS SUCH A LOVELY CHARACTER. Honestly, how can a worldly character get any better? And of course, Geoffrey Rush acted him so well.

But anyway, talking about him as a father -- he's an amazing dad. The family Logue scenes in the Kings Speech are my personal favourite ones in the movie. His wife is acted by ELIZABETH BENNET (I shall never get over that, I really shan't. It's quite pathetic the way I'm still so excited about that) and his three sons and their relationship with him is quite priceless. For example, how he performs some play for his youngest son and how his middle son, Valentine, behaves more grown up than he. I can't explain how I love the son-father relationship Lionel has. Because you see, he's so childish in some ways, it's like his two oldest sons are more sensible than he. In a sense.

Whatever. I'm brabbling. (I didn't use the word 'rambling.' ;-p) Just watch the video. It's so sweet. I'm sorry about the Spanish subtitles -- but then, you might learn something because of it so I'm not sorry. :-)

So there you have Lionel Logue - probably my favourite Period Drama dad of all time.

What's one of your favourite Period Drama fathers?

Is it on this list?