cap 10: You don't look at all like a sea captain...

I just love the way he says nothing and steps aside with a look of irritation, KNOWING that Maria will scuttle past, back to the hall.

He must have such an enormous, innate sense of authority to do that (no doubt cultivated in the Navy, but also from his family background).

It would have served him well in the atmosphere he had created at home, full of military discipline, but obviously that quality doesn't auger well in personal relationships, as we see...

I loveeee this cap also! I'm so glad you chose it.

As you have both said I think in this single shot this quickly shows the audience quite a lot of his character. He is a man that is well aware of the authority he exudes. He is used to always being in command, always being in control, always being obeyed, most especially in the areas of his own domain- such as his home! That's why he doesn't have to say a single word. He is sure beyond a doubt that his look and posture alone are menacing enough that he hardly believes it could be possible for this tiny girl to possibly misinterpret his feelings in finding her prancing around in the ballroom. He is equally sure that his look alone will be menacing enough to get her to rectify her transgression immediately without a word from him.

As you guys have said this quality gives him a lot of power and serves him very professionally/publically but on a personal level this element of his character I'd say is much more problematic.

I think the self-awareness he has of the authority he exudes and the knowledge he has of the fear he can instill in those around him provides him with an emotional shield in his personal life, in a similar way that sarcasm and his dark humour does. I think throughout the film he often uses his ability to intimidate (particularly with the children) as a sort of emotional buffer, so that he doesn't have to deal with certain feelings.

So that's not such a good quality but also a reason why he ends up being such a great match with Maria. Because she very quickly loses her fear of him and is unafraid to stand up to him when he's being pig-headed.

 

YES!
Also, can we just thank Ernest Lehman for writing this scene and his first appearance like this? In the musical it's very different and this is so much better, simply because we're seeing it at the same time as Maria.

Despite all this chat about authoritarianism, I've always thought his question "Why do you look at me that way?" belies a chink of insecurity - maybe this is what encouraged Maria to stand up for herself?

I wonder if he feels self conscious because he gets the feeling she might see something that goes deeper inside him that he's all but hidden away from everyone and it startled him a bit to have someone stare at him with such intensity as if she could see right through him. It might make him, even if just for a brief second, feel uncomfortable.

This screencap reminds me of a comment which was posted on the last TSOM forum: that the Captain's clothes let him down because they are not cut well enough. A man of his background, military and socially, would have worn bespoke suits which would have fitted him like a glove. Other scenes which were picked out to demonstrate this were the scene where Maria returns from the abbey and he is standing on the steps of the villa ("Good evening"), and in the gazebo. Personally, I think that last one is fine, but what do you think?

I think he looks quite fine. I think wardrobe issues are probably mostly to blame on alcohol, etc like absurdlittlebird stated. But it's an interesting idea.

I can't possibly improve upon the earlier comments here about what we learn about G's character. I love the way that his awkward social skills and grace peek out from behind that authoritative mask, like asking why she's staring, criticizing her dress, and so on. He hasn't had to be charming very often (although he's capable of it with Elsa).
I'm of the opinion that his clothes fit him perfectly in these early scenes - and also on the steps - he practically looks like he's been ironed. Yes, there's a wrinkle here, but as noted by gothicbutterfly95, that's because he's got his arms lifted. Hm, I'd better go have a watch and check.

I wonder how long it's been since he was in this room. If it holds memories that he'd rather not have to think about, then he was actually quite kind and polite with his "In the future, you will kindly remember that there are certain rooms in this house that are not to be disturbed." As opposed to, "Leave this room immediately! You have no right to be in here!" Though, maybe this would not work with his vibe of calm, cool authority. Was he angry with her or just annoyed by her? 

In the current vernacular, he was "shook"---knocked off guard.

The progression of the ballroom is almost like a minor character. Completely closed off in the beginning, open for family only in the middle, hosting a grand party in the end. Maybe you are right Indigo, maybe him just walking in there had a subconscious impact on his feelings towards the room and made him more likely to say yes when he was asked to have it opened back up for the puppet show.  Also, maybe the memory of seeing her enjoy it crossed his mind when she asked (I'm assuming it was Maria that asked) if they could use it. 

Opening it for the children to use is different than opening it for a party though. He is a little unreadable in that scene where Elsa is suggesting the party. I don't think he's comfortable with that, but has no way of politely saying no.  

She clearly knows that she is in trouble when he slams open the door and catches her "dancing". Wouldn't it have been so great if she had kissed the floor like she did when she was misbehaving with Sr. Berthe? He would have been even more dismayed than he already was. 

I have this big 'thing' with doors in the movie. There's at least three times they are important. In the initial ballroom scene, Georg is opening the doors to his past life with his wife. After the argument, he opens the doors to his children (after he runs into the house, leaving the door open), and finally, when Maria returns, he opens the door to his new life. Yes, I like doors

I always find it interesting how obscured Georg's face is until both he and Maria are well out in the hall; I'm sure it was a ploy to add to his mystery. Also, just seeing his outline in the screencap above is quite threatening as well.

Another reason for the obscuring is that we get hints of his good looks through the darkness, but it isn't until he emerges into the light in the hall that we see how devastatingly handsome he is. It's quite a  knockout moment! **Fans self**