CP's letter to Robert Wise about the script

This was really intriguing! Such an interesting look into his thought process and analysis on his role. The part about his singing lessons really interests me, as that’s the one thing I would have wanted to ask him about his time with this movie. He mentions in his book about having been able to (contentiously) negotiate saving the official recording session until after filming so he could accomplish more with his vocal studies. I’ve often wondered how much, if any, it irked him that he put in all that time and effort only to get dubbed. I wholeheartedly believe dubbing him was the right choice. I don’t say that to rag on his voice at all, but rather with a talent like JA leading, you had to have similar levels of expertise in the other singing roles. However, I do think CP’s voice is endearing and fits more with the idea of the Captain as an amateur enthusiast musician. But knowing that CP had a bit of an ego (which was rightfully earned, in some regards), I’ve often wondered how much it bothered him to get dubbed. I suspect he likely saw it as a good start for working towards his production of Cyrano, but who wouldn’t be at least a little peeved to work on something only for it to be scrapped like that.

that is interesting because I've seen him quoted as saying, well, it was my voice leading into the songs, they just needed to dub the big major parts of the songs to be on JA's level. I wonder if that is really true or whether he bent the truth a little bit.

I wrote very specific Jane Eyre thing I was never very satisfied with. Recently I had another JE inspired idea which I will never get to ... so I am glad you will be scratching that itch!!

Thank you for sharing these screen grabs augiesannie! These are absolutely fascinating. Love how we get to see the making of the dynamic between G and Max and G and Elsa. Interesting point too about being "dissatisfied" with his life - I think we often write about him that way in FF, sort of uncomfortable in his own skin and with his own sort, which is why it makes so much sense when he goes and falls for Maria. And how does he manage to turn the "schmaltzy" Edelweiss into the tentative, wistful, heart-tugging thing that he does???

Gosh, what an inspired idea (and a lot of work!)
"I too, am a man of hidden talents."

Wow, this was very enlightening! Thanks for posting!

My favorite things:
-He realizes that most of the movie he has to be severe or the emotional scenes will not work.
-He realizes that his wardrobe will need to fit his military no nonsense background.
-He wants there to be a real fight between him and Maria (do you think this means that The Argument was not in the original script he read?)
-The part about how conversations with Elsa flow easily until the breakup conversation, where they finally have to stop their elegant surface level banter.
-The part about the contrast between conversations with glamous Elsa and simple Maria.
-I can't believe that he didn't like Edelweiss! A witty solo describing his helplessness in falling for Maria would never have packed the same punch. 
-It was his doing that he sneaks in on the kids singing TSOM and joins in? I love that part of the movie so much!! Good job Chris!

Interesting that CP wanted to speak with an 'Austrian rhythm'...turned down by Robt Wise - WISELY, I think! - especially if the others weren't speaking that way.

But I DO think it would have been dreamy if CP had played the piano (as he's so professional): he wanted Maria and him to share a love of music, which would have made so much sense, and he would have been so much more at ease doing so. Maybe she could have joined in singing to his playing...WOW! That would have been amazing, and very endearing.