Julie Andrews Recalls Struggles With Stunts On The Set Of 'Mary Poppins': 'I Landed Hard And Was Quite Shaken'

Legendary actress Julie Andrews candidly revealed she expressed frustration on the set of "Mary Poppins," using colorful language due to physically demanding stunts and discomfort.

Reflecting on "The Sound of Music," Andrews admitted feeling lonely due to her co-star's attitude and marital struggles. Despite challenges, she embraced the ethos of learning and perseverance instilled by her mother.

The American Film Institute recently honored her legacy with a Life Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring legacy.

Keep on reading to learn more.

Dame Julie Andrews, known for her iconic role in "Mary Poppins," recently revealed she didn't hold back her frustration during the filming of the 90s movie. The revered actress Andrews, now 87, transitioned from the stage to the silver screen with the Disney classic in 1964. 

However, she revealed that some of the physically demanding stunts, including flying scenes, took a toll on her.

Andrews also shared that the harness she wore caused bruises, and she even experienced a dangerous fall. While speaking to US Closer magazine, the actress recalled, "I landed hard and was quite shaken. I have to admit, I let fly a stream of colorful expletives."

However, despite the challenges, Andrews revealed Disney postponed filming to accommodate her pregnancy. She explained, "I said, 'Oh, Mr. Disney, I'd love to come. But I'm pregnant.' He spoiled me."

Andrews also shared she faced challenges behind the scenes of her iconic film "The Sound of Music." She disclosed that her co-star Christopher Plummer didn't have a harmonious relationship with her, and she was dealing with marital difficulties with her husband, Tony Walton. She said, "I was quite lonely. Tony Walton was working, and our marriage was a little rocky."

Despite these struggles, Andrews cherished her time in Hollywood. She shared her willingness to learn and endure challenges, a value instilled by her mother.

The actress explained, "I was willing to pay my dues and to learn. When we were touring, my mum would drill into me: 'Don't you dare complain about anything. … Get on with it and you'll be respected so much more."

Last month, Andrews collaborated with her daughter, author Emma Walton Hamilton, to bring her musical expertise to the pages of a children's book titled "The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi."

The book narrates the tale of Brother Guido, an 11th-century Benedictine monk who devised the musical notation system still in use today. Andrews and Hamilton penned the book, which features illustrations by Chiara Fedele.

Sharing the process behind the making of the book, Hamilton said, "We first heard about Guido from my son's music teacher about 15 years ago."

She continued, "My son was taking guitar lessons at the time, and we were chatting with his lovely music teacher and she said, 'You may not know this, but the man who invented the solfège — the do re mi fa so la ti da — was actually a Benedictine monk, a thousand years ago in a monastery in Italy.' And it stayed with us."

She added, "We kept sort of coming back to it and thinking, I wonder if there's any further information to learn. I wonder if anyone's written about him. Would this be a possible story for a children's book? …. And at a certain point, we came back to it and realized that very few people were familiar with the story, including musicians."

Andrews' timeless elegance and musical talent remain unparalleled. A recently discovered video from British Pathé showcases one of her earliest performances at just 13 years old.

Taking the grand stage at the London Palladium for the 1948 Royal Command Performance, Andrews sang before King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, becoming the youngest solo performer in a Royal Variety Performance.

Amid a choir, orchestra, and fellow talents like Danny Kaye, the young soprano confidently sang the first verse of "God Save the King."

In 2021, the American Film Institute (AFI) bestowed the "Sound of Music" star with a Life Achievement Award in recognition of her enduring legacy.