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THE SOUND OF MUSIC
MARIA
(sings)
Church bells toll in the distance.
Maria's dreamy smile fades and becomes a confused frown. With sudden
realization, she puts a hand to her head and gallops across the field.
MARIA Ohhhh!
"Salzburg, Austria in the last Golden Days of the Thirties"
ACT I
SCENE I
INT. THE ABBEY - DAY

Nuns in black habits and novices walk calmly across a cobblestone courtyard. Carrying
Bibles, they file into a chapel
The women chant in Latin: "Alleluia."
LATER
The Reverend Mother talks to two sisters: SISTER BERTHE, the Mistress of
Novices who would probably enjoy using a ruler on your knuckles and SISTER
MARGARETTA, the Mistress of Postulants, who probably will one day be made a
saint. A young nun approaches.
SISTER BERNICE Reverend Mother?
MOTHER ABBESS Sister Bernice?
SISTER BERNICE I simply cannot find her.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria?
SISTER BERNICE She's missing from the Abbey again.
SISTER BERTHE Perhaps we should have put a cowbell around her neck.
SISTER MARGARETTA Have you tried the barn? You know how much she adores the
animals.
SISTER BERNICE I have looked everywhere, in all of the usual places.
MOTHER ABBESS Sister Bernice, considering that it's Maria, I suggest you
look in someplace unusual.
Sister Bernice nods and walks away.
SISTER BERTHE Well, Reverend Mother, I hope this will put an end to Maria's future
here.
MOTHER ABBESS I still have some doubts, Sister Berthe.
SISTER MARGARETTA After all, the wool of a black sheep is just as warm.
SISTER BERTHE We are not talking about sheep, black or white, Sister
Margaretta. Of all the novices I would say that Maria is
the worst MOTHER ABBESS (chides them) Children, children.
Mother Abbess sees several nuns gathered, staring at them, puzzled.
MOTHER ABBESS (to the other nuns) ... Tell me, Sister Catherine, what do you think of ...
Maria?
SISTER CATHERINE She's a wonderful girl ... some of the time.
MOTHER ABBESS Sister Agatha?
SISTER AGATHA It's very easy to like Maria ... except when it's, uh,
difficult.
MOTHER ABBESS And you, Sister Sophia?
SISTER SOPHIA Oh, I love her very dearly. But she always seems to be in
trouble, doesn't she?
SISTER BERTHE Exactly what I say!
(sings)
She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee
Her dress has got a tear
SISTER SOPHIA (sings)
She waltzes on her way to Mass

And whistles on the stair
SISTER BERTHE (sings)
And underneath her wimple
She has curlers in her hair
SISTER CATHERINE (sings)
I've even heard her singing in the Abbey
SISTER AGATHA (sings) She's always late for chapel
SISTER SOPHIA (sings) But her penitence is real
SISTER BERTHE (sings) She's always late for everything
SISTER CATHERINE (sings) Except for every meal
I hate to have to say it
But I very firmly feel
SISTERS BERTHE AGATHA SOPHIA CATHERINE (sings)
Maria's not an asset to the Abbey
SISTER MARGARETTA (spoken) I'd like to say a word in her behalf
MOTHER ABBESS (spoken) Then say it, Sister Margaretta.
SISTER MARGARETTA (spoken) Maria makes me laugh
Sister Berthe scowls. Reverend Mother smiles.
MOTHER ABBESS (sings)
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
SISTER MARGARETTA (sings) How do you find a word that means Maria?
SISTER CATHERINE (spoken) A flibbertijibbet!
SISTER SOPHIA (spoken) A will-o'-the wisp!
SISTER BERTHE (spoken) A clown!
MOTHER ABBESS (sings)
Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say?
MOTHER ABBESS (sings) How do you keep a wave upon the sand?
SISTER MARGARETTA (sings) Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
MOTHER ABBESS (sings) How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
SISTER SOPHIA (spoken)
When I'm with her I'm confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
SISTER AGATHA (spoken) Unpredictable as weather
SISTER CATHERINE (spoken) She's as flighty as a feather
SISTER MARGARETTA (spoken) She's a darling!
SISTER BERTHE (spoken) She's a demon!
SISTER MARGARETTA (sings) She's a lamb!
SISTER CATHERINE (sings)She's a riddle! She's a child!
SISTER MARGARETTA (sings)She is gentle! She is wild!
SISTER BERTHE (sings)She's a headache!
SISTER MARGARETTA (sings)She's an angel!
MOTHER ABBESS (sings) She's a girl!
The nuns press their hands together and gaze heavenward.
THE SINGING NUNS
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Maria?
THE SINGING NUNS Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
A door slams. Footsteps, running. Maria races headlong into the courtyard,
She meets their startled gaze. Then rolls her eyes to Heaven helplessly and walks
away.
THE SINGING NUNS Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
(Exit all)
RE-ENTER THE REVEREND MOTHER AND MARIA.
MOTHER ABBESS Come here, my child.
Maria hurries over to the Abbess. She kneels and quickly kisses the Reverend Mother's
hand.
MARIA Oh ... Oh, Reverend Mother, I'm so sorry. I just couldn't help
myself. The gates were open and the hills were so beautiful.-MOTHER ABBESS Maria, I haven't called you here for apologies.
MARIA Oh, please, Mother, do let me ask for forgiveness.
MOTHER ABBESS If it'd make you feel better.
MARIA Yes. Well, you see, the sky was so blue today and everything was so
green and fragrant, I just had to be a part of it.
MOTHER ABBESS Child, suppose darkness had come and you were lost?
MARIA Oh, Mother, I could never be lost up there. That's my mountain.
I was brought up on it. It was the mountain that led me to you.
MOTHER ABBESS Oh?
MARIA When I was a child, I would come down the mountain and climb a tree
and look over into your garden. I'd see the sisters at work and I'd hear them
sing on their way to vespers. Which brings me to another transgression,
Reverend Mother. I was singing out there today without permission.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, it is only here in the Abbey that we have rules about
singing.
MARIA I can't stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I
can't stop saying things. I ... everything and anything I think and
feel.
MOTHER ABBESS Some people would call that honesty.
MARIA Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother. You know how Sister Berthe
always makes me kiss the floor after we've had a disagreement? Well, lately,
I've taken to kissing the floor when I see her coming -- just to save time.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria ... when you saw us over the Abbey wall and longed to
be one of us, that didn't necessarily mean that you were prepared for the way
we live here, did it?
MARIA No, Mother, but I, I pray and I try. And I am learning. I really am.
MOTHER ABBESS And what is the most important lesson you have learned here,
my child?
MARIA To find out what is the will of God and ... to do it wholeheartedly.
The Reverend Mother stands up decisively.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, it seems to be the will of God that you leave us.
MARIA Leave?!
MOTHER ABBESS Only for a while, Maria.
MARIA Oh, no, Mother! Please don't do that! Don't send me away! This is
where I belong. It's my home, my family. It's my life.
MOTHER ABBESS But are you truly ready for it?
MARIA Yes, I am.
MOTHER ABBESS Perhaps if you go out into the world for a time, you will find it out.
MARIA I know what you expect, Mother. And I can do it. I promise I
can.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria.
Maria gazes into the nun's stern, kind face.
MARIA Yes, Mother. If it is God's will.
The nun takes a letter from her pocket..
MOTHER ABBESS There is a family near Salzburg that needs a governess until
September.
MARIA Until September!
MOTHER ABBESS To take care of seven children.
MARIA Seven children!
MOTHER ABBESS Do you like children, Maria?
MARIA Oh, yes, but seven ... ?

MOTHER ABBESS I will tell Captain Von Trapp to expect you tomorrow.
MARIA Uh, Captain?
MOTHER ABBESS A retired officer of the Imperial Navy. A fine man and a
brave one. His wife died several years ago leaving him alone with the
children. Now, I understand he's had a most difficult time managing to keep
a governess there.
MARIA Uh ... why "difficult", Reverend Mother?
MOTHER ABBESS The Lord will show you .
Maria gives her a look.
SCENE II
EXT. THE TRIP TO THE VON TRAPPS' - DAY
Maria walks out of the Abbey wearing a drab gray dress, baggy jacket,
and a wide-brimmed leather hat. She carries a guitar case in one hand and a
carpetbag in the other.
Maria stops and looks back with a sad, wistful frown, then continues toward
the Abbey's iron gates.
MARIA When the Lord closes a door... (sighs)... somewhere he opens a window.
(sings)
What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
A Captain with seven children
What's so fearsome about that?
... Everything will turn out fine.
(SONG)
She opens the gate and enters. She hesitates for a moment, her back to the
gate, then marches forward.
She sprints across the circular gravel driveway and stops at the front door,
setting her luggage down and pressing the door bell. She leans, out of
breath on the wall by the doorbell.
MARIA Oh!
Franz, the dour-faced butler, opens the door. She instantly straightens.
MARIA Hello! Here I am!
He studies her homely clothes with a doubtful look.
MARIA I'm from the convent. I'm the new governess, Captain.
FRANZ And I'm the old butler, Fraulein.
MARIA (disappointed) Oh. Well, how do you do?
She shakes his hand. He doesn't smile.
MARIA Hmm.
Maria picks up her guitar case and carpetbag and follows him into the house.
INT. VON TRAPP VILLA - CONTINUOUS
Maria's eyes widen at the cavernous, opulent front hall.
FRANZ You'll, uh -- wait here please.
With a last dubious glance at Maria, Franz stalks away. As if in a trance,
Maria walks slowly down the front stairs and sets her baggage down. She
stares at the gilded furniture and glittering crystal chandelier. Balconies
line the upper walls on either side of the vast, spotlessly white room.
Walking across the gleaming wood floor, Maria stops in front of a closed door
and peers in through the crack.
A tall, elegantly handsome man with sharp, aristocratic features stands in
the doorway. He wears a trim gray suit with green cuffs and lapels. Startled,
Maria gazes fearfully at him and hurries out of the room.
CAPTAIN In the future, you will kindly remember there are certain rooms in
this house which are not to be disturbed.
MARIA Yes, Captain. Sir.

Captain Von Trapp closes the ballroom doors. Maria stares at him and smiles.
CAPTAIN Why do you stare at me that way?
MARIA Well, you don't look at all like a sea Captain, sir.
CAPTAIN I'm afraid you don't look very much like a governess. Turn
around, please.
MARIA What?
CAPTAIN Hmm, turn.
Maria turns around as the Captain scrutinizes her clothes.
CAPTAIN Hat -- off.
She removes her leather hat.
CAPTAIN Sss -- It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you
meet the children.
MARIA But I don't have another one. When we enter the Abbey, our worldly
clothes are given to the poor.
CAPTAIN What about this one?
MARIA Well, the poor didn't want this one.
CAPTAIN Hmm.
MARIA Well, I would have made myself a new dress, but there wasn't time. I
can make my own clothes.
CAPTAIN Well, I'll see that you get some material... today, if possible.
Now, Fraulein ... uh ...
MARIA Maria, sir.
CAPTAIN Fraulein Maria, I don't know how much the Mother Abbess has told you.
MARIA Not much.
CAPTAIN You are the twelfth governesses, who have come to

look after my children since their mother died. I trust that you will be an
improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.
MARIA (giving him a worried look) What's wrong with the children?
CAPTAIN (pauses) There's nothing wrong with the children -- only the
governesses.
MARIA Oh.
CAPTAIN They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it,
this house cannot be properly run. You will please remember that, Fraulein.
MARIA Yes, sir.
CAPTAIN Every morning you will drill the children in their studies. Each afternoon, they
will march about the grounds, breathing deeply. Bedtime is to be strictly
observed, no exceptions...
MARIA Excuse me, sir, when do they play?
CAPTAIN ... You will see to it
MARIA (with an overly enthusiastic salute) Yes, sir!
Upstairs, six children, wearing identical blue sailor's uniforms dash out of
their rooms and line up according to age along the balcony railing, standing
at attention. Maria silently counts them. The Captain blows his whistle again
in a rhythmic pattern. Swinging their arms, the children march briskly
downstairs into the hall.
The oldest is a pretty, fresh-faced sixteen year old girl with wavy brown
hair (Liesl). The next is a blonde, blue-eyed boy (Friedrich). Behind him
marches a girl with golden braids (Louisa). Then, a chubby-cheeked boy (Kurt). A
dreamy-eyed girl with long black hair, a dreamy-eyed girl with long black hair
A little girl with brown hair and a button nose follows (Marta). A five year
old girl with a round face brings up the rear (Gretl). There's a noticeable
gap between Kurt and Marta -- one of the children is missing.
Responding to the Captain's whistle, they line up and stand at attention.
The Captain paces back and forth before them, inspecting his troops. He
straightens Kurt's collar. Friedrich's posture is not all that it could be.
The Captain demonstrates.
CAPTAIN Hup.
The boy puffs out his chest.
CAPTAIN Now ...
CAPTAIN ... this is your new governess, Fraulein Maria.
The children eye her disapprovingly.
CAPTAIN As I sound your signals you will step forward and give your name.
(to Maria) You, Fraulein, will listen carefully, learn their signals, so that
you can call them when you want them.
The Captain blows a variety of whistle signals. Each child, responding to
their signal, steps forward in a military manner, announces his or her name,
and then steps back in line.
LIESL Liesl!
FRIEDRICH Friedrich!
LOUISA Louisa!
KURT Kurt!
BRIGITTA Brigitta!
MARTA Marta!
The littlest girl forgets to step out. The Captain has to blow her signal
twice. She steps out and in but forgets to shout her name.
Maria is rather amused at this.
CAPTAIN (a little embarrassed, to Maria) And Gretl. Ahem.
Gretl makes a face. The Captain takes another whistle from his pocket and
holds it out to Maria.
CAPTAIN Now, let's see how well you listened.
MARIA Oh, I, I, I won't need to whistle for them, Reverend Captain. I mean,
um, I'll use their names. And such lovely names.
CAPTAIN Fraulein, this is a large house, the grounds are very extensive,
and I will not have anyone shouting. You will take this, please -- learn to
use it. The children will help you.
Maria accepts the whistle reluctantly.
CAPTAIN Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear.
He starts to blow a particular signal on his whistle.
MARIA (interrupts) Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir! I could never answer to a
whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for
children and definitely not for me. It would be too -- humiliating.
.The Captain starts to walk away when Maria blows the whistles. He stops and
looks back at her, annoyed.
MARIA Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.
CAPTAIN (coldly) You may call me -- Captain.
The Captain stares at her a moment, then exits. Maria smiles to herself. The
children start to giggle. Maria turns to the children who snap back to
attention and stare straight ahead.
MARIA (sighs) At ease.
In unison, they place their hands behind their backs. They're a well-trained
bunch.
MARIA Well, now that we are alone would you please tell me all your
names again and how old you are?
The children step forward and back in military fashion announcing their names
and ages.
LIESL I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old, and I don't need a governess.
MARIA Well, I'm glad you told me, Liesl. We'll just be good friends.
FRIEDRICH I'm Friedrich. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible.
MARIA (laughs) Really? Who told you that, Friedrich?
FRIEDRICH Fraulein Josephine. Four governesses ago.

The blonde girl in braids steps out and in.
LOUISA I'm Brigitta.
MARIA (smiles) You, um,you didn't tell me how old you are, Louisa.
Brigitta, steps out.
BRIGITTA I'm Brigitta. She's Louisa. She's thirteen years old, and you're
smart. I'm ten, and I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw.
Brigitta steps back in line. Kurt, the chubby cheeked boy, turns to her.
KURT Brigitta, you shouldn't say that.
BRIGITTA Why not? Don't you think it's ugly?
KURT Of course. But Fraulein Helga's was ugliest.
Kurt steps forward.
KURT I'm Kurt. I'm eleven. I'm incorrigible.
He steps back.
MARIA Congratulations.
KURT What's "incorrigible"?
MARIA I think it means you want to be treated like a boy.
Kurt rather likes that answer. Marta, the button-nosed girl, steps forward
and tugs at Maria's sleeve.
MARIA Mm-hm?
MARTA I'm Marta, and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday, and I'd like a pink
parasol.
MARIA Well, pink's my favorite color too.
The littlest, Gretl, stamps her foot.
MARIA Yes, you're Gretl.

Gretl holds up her hand showing all five fingers.
MARIA And you're five years old? My, you're practically a lady.
Gretl and Marta laugh at this. Maria looks at the line of children from Liesl
to Gretl.
MARIA Now, I have to tell you a secret. I've never been a governess before.
The children look at one another, ready for mischief.
LOUISA You mean you don't know anything about being a governess?
MARIA Nothing. I'll need your help!
LOUISA Well, the best way to start is to be sure to tell father to mind his
own business.
They crowd around Maria.
FRIEDRICH You must never come to dinner on time.
BRIGITTA Never eat your soup quietly.
Friedrich makes slurping noises.
KURT And, during dessert, always blow your nose.
GRETL Don't believe a word they say, Fraulein Maria!
MARIA Oh, why not?
GRETL Because I like you!
Then Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper, walks in clapping her hands.
SCHMIDT All right now, children. Outside for your walk. Father's order.
Now hurry up. Hurry up. Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick.
The children walk reluctantly to the front door.
SCHMIDT (to Maria) Uh, Fraulein Maria. I'm Frau Schmidt, the housekeeper.
MARIA How do you do?

SCHMIDT How do you do? I'll show you to your room. Follow me.
They shake hands. Frau Schmidt picks up Maria's bag and leads her. Maria
picks up her guitar and follows her up the stairs.
MARIA (quietly, to Frau Schmidt) Poor little dears.
At the front door, the children pause and turn back to watch as Maria
suddenly drops her guitar, screams, and reaches into her dress pocket.
MARIA What? Ah! Ah! Aah! Oh! Ohh -She pulls out a frog and flings it down the stairs. It creeps out the open
front door. Maria, leaning on the bannister, sighs with relief.
SCHMIDT (to Maria) You're very lucky. With Fraulein Helga it was a snake.
MARIA Ugh!
Maria glares at the children who turn and somberly exit through the door.
SCENE III
IN THE DINING ROOM - THAT NIGHT
Captain Von Trapp and the children (who now wear dresses and suits) sit at a
long dining table, waiting. Maria dashes in and stops.
MARIA Good evening.
She walks to her seat.
MARIA Good evening, children.
THE CHILDREN Good evening, Fraulein Maria.
Maria starts to sit in her chair and then leaps up.
MARIA Whaaaah ha ha ha!
A pine cone sits on her chair.
CAPTAIN (mystified) Enchanting little ritual. Something you, uh, learned at

the Abbey?
MARIA No, it's, um, er ... um ... (patting her rear) ... rheumatism.
Maria sits. The children glance at each other, surprised and relieved not to
be punished for their practical joke. The Captain starts to eat. The children
follow suit.
MARIA Excuse me, Captain, but haven't we forgotten to thank the Lord?
The Captain, with a mouthful of food, stares at her for a second and
reluctantly puts down his fork. Everyone folds their hands and bows their
heads.
MARIA For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful.
Amen.
CAPTAIN Amen.
THE CHILDREN Amen.
Everyone starts to eat. Maria casts a shrewd glance around the table.
MARIA I'd like to thank each and every one of you for the precious gift you
left in my pocket earlier today.
The children exchange uneasy looks.
CAPTAIN (to Maria) Um, what gift?
Maria glances at Kurt's worried face.
MARIA It's a secret, Captain, between the children and me.
CAPTAIN Uh huh. Then I suggest that you keep it and let us eat.
MARIA Knowing how nervous I must have been, a stranger in a new household,
knowing how important it was for me to feel accepted, it was so kind
of you to make my first moments here so warm and happy and pleasant.
Maria grins at the Captain who forces himself to smile. Marta begins to sob.
CAPTAIN What is the matter, Marta?
MARTA Nothing.
Maria smiles to herself as the rest of the children break down into sobs, one
by one. The Captain glances around the table, astonished.
CAPTAIN Uh, Fraulein, is to be at every meal?
MARIA Oh, they're all right, Captain. They're just happy.
The children sob louder.
AT THE DOOR OF THE TRAPP VILLA
A teenage courier with blonde hair wearing a gray uniform and cap, runs up to the house .
The door opens and Franz appears.
FRANZ Ah, Rolfe. Good evening.
ROLFE Good evening, Franz. I trust everything is under control.
FRANZ Yes, yes.
ROLFE Good.
Franz glances back into the house to make sure no one is listening and steps
outside to confer with Rolfe.
FRANZ Are there, uh, any developments?
ROLFE Perhaps. Is the Captain at home?
FRANZ He's at dinner.
ROLFE With the family?
FRANZ Yes.
ROLFE Please give him this telegram at once.
FRANZ Certainly.
Franz hands the Captain the telegram.
FRANZ A telegram for you, sir.

CAPTAIN Hmm.
The Captain opens the telegram and reads it. Liesl glances toward the door.
LIESL Franz, who delivered it?
FRANZ That young lad, Rolfe, of course.
LIESL Father, may I be excused?
The Captain grunts negatively. Maria notices Liesl's disappointment.
CAPTAIN Children, in the morning, I shall be going to Vienna.
The children groan.
MARTA Oh, no, Father!
FRIEDRICH Not again, Father.
The Captain glares at them.
GRETL How long will you be gone this time, Father?
Liesl rises with her empty water glass and moves to fill it at a nearby table.
CAPTAIN I'm not sure, Gretl. I'm not sure.
LOUISA (to the Captain) To visit Baroness Schraeder again?
FRIEDRICH (to Louisa) Mind your own business!
CAPTAIN As a matter of fact, yes, Louisa.
MARTA (to the Captain) Why can't we ever get to see the Baroness?
KURT (to Marta) Why would she want to see you?
CAPTAIN I'm bringing the Baroness back with me to visit us all.
Maria has watched as Liesl stands up to get a glass of water but then quietly
leaves the room, behind her father's back.
CHILDREN Good!
CAPTAIN And ... (rolling his eyes) ... Uncle Max.
CHILDREN (delighted) Uncle Max! Uncle Max!
CAPTAIN Now stand up and leave the dining room! Exit all but Liesl. She opens the
door and let Rolfe in.
LIESL Rolfe!
LIESL Oh, Rolfe!
They throw their arms around each other. Rolfe breaks the clinch.
ROLFE No, Liesl, we mustn't.
LIESL Why not, silly?
ROLFE I don't know, it's just-LIESL Isn't this why you're here waiting for me?
ROLFE Yes, of course. I've missed you, Liesl.
LIESL You have? How much?
ROLFE So much that I even thought of sending you a telegram just so I'd be
able to deliver it here.
LIESL Oh, that's a lovely thought. Why don't you? Right now.
ROLFE (laughs) But I'm here!
LIESL Please, Rolfe. Send me a telegram. I'll start it for you: "Dear Liesl
..."
ROLFE (amused, playing along) "Dear Liesl, I'd like to be able to tell you
how I feel about you. Stop. Unfortunately, this wire is already too expensive.
Sincerely, Rolfe."
LIESL Sincerely?
ROLFE Cordially.
LIESL Cordially?
ROLFE Affectionately?
She hugs him tightly.
LIESL Mmmmmm!
ROLFE Will there be any reply?
LIESL "Dear Rolfe, stop. (she hugs him again) Don't stop! Your Liesl" If
only we didn't always have to wait for someone to send Father a telegram.
How do I know when I see you again?
ROLFE Well, let's see. (pacing) I could come here by mistake -- with a
telegram for Colonel Schneider. He's here from Berlin staying with -- Oh, no
Don't tell your father, now.
LIESL Why not?
ROLFE Well, your father's so -- so Austrian.
LIESL We're all Austrian.
ROLFE Well, some people think we ought to be German, and they're very mad
at those who don't think so. They're getting ready to -- Well, let's hope
your father doesn't get into trouble.
LIESL Don't worry about Father. He's a big naval hero. He was even
decorated by the Emperor.
ROLFE I know. I don't worry about him. But I do worry about his daughter.
LIESL Me? Why?
ROLFE Well, you're so -LIESL What?
ROLFE Well, you're such a baby!
LIESL I'm sixteen.
Rolfe smiles knowingly.They start dancing. (SONG).

ROLFE
LIESL
I have to go now, good-bye Liesl

Good-bye Rolfe!
SCENE IV
INT. MARIA'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

The thunderstorm continues outside. Wearing long white nightgown, Maria
hurries to the window and closes it. There is a knock at the door.
MARIA Come in.
Frau Schmidt enters, carrying two bolts of cloth.
MARIA Frau Schmidt ...
SCHMIDT For your new dresses, Fraulein Maria. The Captain had these sent
out from town.
MARIA Oh, how lovely. Oh, I'm sure these will make the prettiest clothes
I've ever had. Tell me, do you think the Captain would get me some more
material if I asked him?
SCHMIDT How many dresses does a governess need?
MARIA No, not for me. For the children. I want to make them some playclothes.
SCHMIDT (re-opening Maria's window) The Von Trapp children don't play. They
march.
MARIA Oh, surely, you don't approve of that?
SCHMIDT Ever since the Captain lost his poor wife, he - he runs this house
as if he were on one of his ships again. Whistles, orders. No more music,
no more laughing. Nothing that reminds him of her ... even the children.
MARIA It's so wrong.
SCHMIDT Ah, well ... How do you like your room? There'll be new drapes at
the windows ...
MARIA New drapes? But these are fine.

SCHMIDT Nevertheless, new ones have been ordered.
MARIA Oh, but I really don't need them.
SCHMIDT Good night, now.
MARIA Frau Schmidt. Do you think if I ask the Captain tomorrow about the
material ...?
SCHMIDT Oh, he's leaving for Vienna in the morning.
MARIA Oh, yes, of course. Well, how long will he be gone?
SCHMIDT That all depends. The last time he visited the Baroness he stayed
for a month.
MARIA Oh.
SCHMIDT I shouldn't be saying this -- not to you, I mean I don't know you
that well -- but if you ask me, the Captain's thinking very seriously of
marrying the woman before the summer's over.
MARIA Oh, that'd be wonderful! Well, the children will have a mother again.
SCHMIDT Yes ... well ... Good night.
MARIA Good night.
Schmidt leaves and Maria closes the door behind her. Maria takes off her
robe, and places it over a chair. She makes the sign of the cross, kneels
beside her bed and prays. Behind her, the night air billows through window
curtains and thunder rolls.
MARIA Dear Father, now I know why You've sent me here. To help these
children prepare themselves for a new mother. And I pray that this will
become a happy family . God bless the Captain, God bless Liesl
and Friedrich, God bless Louisa, Brigitta, Marta and little Gretl. And, oh, I
forgot the other boy. What's his name? Well, God bless What's-his-name.
Liesl enters through the windows. She is soaking wet.
MARIA God bless the Reverend Mother, Sister Margaretta ... (sees Liesl try
to exit the room) ...and everybody at Nonnberg Abbey. And now, dear God,
about Liesl.
Liesl stops at the door and turns back to Maria.
MARIA Help her to know that I'm her friend, and help her to tell me what
she's been up to.
LIESL Are you going to tell on me?
MARIA (to Liesl) Shh. (finishes her prayers) Help me to be understanding so
that I may guide her footsteps. In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
LIESL I was out taking a walk and somebody locked the doors earlier than
usual and I didn't want to wake everybody up. So, when I saw your window
open-- You're not going to tell Father, are you?
MARIA (slamming window shut)
Liesl, were you out walking all by yourself?
Liesl nods yes at first, then she shakes her head from side to side.
MARIA You know, you could put this on.
Maria hands Liesl a nightgown from her armoir.
MARIA Take your dress in there, then come
back here and sit on the bed and we'll have a talk.
Liesl pauses in the bathroom doorway.
LIESL I told you today I didn't need a governess. Well, maybe I do.
Liesl smiles gratefully. Maria closes the bathroom door and walks over to
shut the door of her armoir. Hands on hips, she looks at the bed, then at the
bathroom door. Frowning suspiciously, she reaches for the comforter and
flings it back to reveal ... clean, spider-less white sheets. She checks the
rest of the bed. No spiders. Relieved, she puts the comforter back in its
place.
A loud thunder clap. The door suddenly opens and Gretl, in a nightgown, runs
in and stands stiffly against the wall.
MARIA Gretl? Are you scared?
Gretl shakes her head. There is another clap of thunder and she runs into
Maria's arms.
MARIA You're not frightened of a thunderstorm, are you? You just stay right
here with me. Oh! Uh! Where are the others?
GRETL They're asleep. They're not scared.
More thunder. Maria cuddles Gretl. Louisa, Brigitta and Marta run into the
room.
MARIA (to Gretl) Oh, no? Look.
Gretl sees the other girls.
MARIA All right, everybody. Up here on the bed.
BRIGITTA Really?
MARIA Well, just this once. Come on.
The girls crowd onto the bed.
MARIA Now, all we have to do is to wait for the boys.
LOUISA You won't see them. Boys are brave.
As the thunder continues, the girls bury their heads in the bed. Friedrich
and Kurt run into the room, then force themselves to walk calmly. Maria grins.
MARIA Eh, you boys weren't scared, too, were you?
FRIEDRICH Oh, no. We just wanted to be sure that you weren't.
MARIA That's very kind of you, Friedrich.
FRIEDRICH It wasn't my idea. It was Kurt's.
MARIA Kurt! That's the one I left out. (to the ceiling) God bless Kurt.
A huge thunder clap -- everyone ducks. Maria looks at them all with amusement.
MARTA Why does it do that?
MARIA Well, the lightning says something to the thunder, and the thunder
answers back.
MARTA The lightning must be nasty.
MARIA Not really.
MARTA Then why does the thunder get so angry? It makes me want to cry.
More loud thunder. Really, they should soundproof these old villas. The
children bury their faces in the covers again.
MARIA Well, now, when anything bothers me and I'm feeling unhappy, I just
try and think of nice things.
LOUISA AND MARTA What kind of things?
MARIA Uh .. well, let me see, nice things. Daffodils. Green meadows. Skies
full of stars. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens ...
(sings)
... Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things
More thunder. The children cower.
MARIA (sings)
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
Maria puts her arms around Marta and Gretl.
MARTA Does it really work?
MARIA Of course it does. You try it. What things do you like?
MARTA Pussy willows!
LOUISA Christmas!
GRETL Bunny rabbits!
KURT Snakes!
BRIGITTA Chocolate icing!
FRIEDRICH No school!
Liesl emerges from the bathroom, surprised to see the others.
LIESL Telegrams!
LOUISA Birthday presents!
BRIGITTA Any presents!
MARIA (agreeing) Yes!
GRETL Ladybugs!
MARIA What?
MARTA Cats!
KURT Rats!
MARIA! See what fun it is?

(sings)
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
MARIA (sings)
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

Maria twirls hand in hand with the girls.
MARIA (sings)
The music abruptly stops as Maria suddenly runs into the Captain who stands
in the doorway with a disapproving frown.
Maria steps back. The children, more terrified of their father than the
thunder, line up in a row at attention.
MARIA (cheerfully) Uh, hello ...
CAPTAIN Fraulein, did I not tell you that bedtime is to be strictly
observed in this house?
MARIA Well, the children were upset by the storm, so I thought that if I ...
You did, sir.
CAPTAIN And do you or do you not have difficulty remembering such simple
instructions?
MARIA (defiantly) Only during thunderstorms, sir.
Kurt laughs.
CAPTAIN Liesl?
LIESL Yes, father?
CAPTAIN I don't rememberl seeing you anywhere after dinner.
LIESL Oh, really? Well, as a matter of fact -CAPTAIN Yes?
LIESL Well, I-I was, I was...
MARIA Uh, what she would like to say, Captain, is that, uh, she and I have
been getting better acquainted tonight. But it's much too late now Come along children.
You heard your father. Go back to bed immediately.
As the children run out the room, Maria picks up her robe. The Captain turns
toward the door, watching the children go.
CAPTAIN Fraulein, do you remember that I'm leaving in
the morning?
Maria nods.
CAPTAIN Is it also possible that you remember that the first rule in this
house is discipline?
She nods again, reluctantly.
CAPTAIN Then I trust that before I return you will have acquired some?
MARIA Captain? Uh, I wonder if, before you go, I could talk to you about
some clothes for the children ...
CAPTAIN Fraulein Maria ...
MARIA ... for when they play. If I could just have some material ...
CAPTAIN Good night.
The Captain leaves the room, shutting the door.
MARIA (furious) Oh!
Maria looks around angrily, flings her robe on the bed, and sits in a chair
next to the window. She looks at a window drape decorated with green flowers.
She stands up and takes the drape in her hands. An idea dawns on her.
SCENE V
EXT. THE FIRST OUTING - DAY
Maria and the children are having a picnic.
LOUISA Fraulein Maria?
MARIA Mm hmm?
LOUISA Can we do this every day?

MARIA Don't you think you'd soon get tired of it, Louisa?
LOUISA I suppose so... Every other day?
KURT I haven't had so much fun since the day we put glue on Fraulein
Josephine's toothbrush.
MARIA I can't understand how children as nice as you can manage to play
such awful tricks on people.
BRIGITTA Oh, it's easy.
MARIA But why do it?
LIESL Well, how else can we get Father's attention?
BRIGITTA Yes.
MARIA Oh, I see. Well, we'll have to think about that one. All right,
everybody. Over here.
MARTA What are we going to do?
MARIA Let's think of something to sing for the Baroness when she comes.
MARTA Father doesn't like us to sing.
MARIA Well, perhaps we can change his mind. Now, what songs do you know?
FRIEDRICH We don't know any songs.
MARIA Not any?
LOUISA We don't even know how to sing.
MARIA Well. You must learn.
GRETL But how?
Maria picks up her guitar and ... blasts through the opening lick from
"Johnny B. Goode" -- no, just kidding ... strums her guitar and sings:
MARIA (sings)
Let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start
When you read you begin with ...
GRETL (sings) A-B-C
MARIA (sings)
When you sing you begin with do-re-mi
THE CHILDREN (sing)
Do-re-mi
MARIA (sings)
Do-re-mi
The first three notes just happen to be
Do-re-mi
THE CHILDREN (sing)
Do-re-mi
MARIA (sings)
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti
(spoken)
Oh, let's see if I can make it easier. Mmm ...
(sings)
Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long, long way to run
Sew, a needle pulling thread
La, a note to follow Sew
Tea, a drink with jam and bread
That will bring us back to Do (oh-oh-oh)
MARIA AND THE CHILDREN
That will bring us back to ...
Do, a deer, a female deer

Maria runs through the grass leading the children like the Pied Piper.
MARIA AND THE CHILDREN
MARIA (sings)
That will bring us back to Do
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
So-do!
MARIA
Now, children, once you have these notes in your heads, you can sing a million
different tunes by mixing them up. Like this. Uh ...
(sings)
So Do La Fa Mi Do Re
(spoken) Can you do that?
CHILDREN (sing)
So Do La Fa Mi Do Re
MARIA (sings)
So Do La Ti Do Re Do
CHILDREN (sing)
So Do La Ti Do Re Do
MARIA (spoken) Now, put it all together.
MARIA AND THE CHILDREN (sing)
So Do La Fa Mi Do Re, So Do La Ti Do Re Do
MARIA (spoken) Good!
BRIGITTA (spoken) But it doesn't mean anything.
MARIA (spoken) So we put in words. One word for every note. Like this...
(sings)
When you know the notes to sing
You can sing most anything
(spoken) Together!

When you know the notes to sing
You can sing most anything
That will bring us back to Do
The children stand on different levels of an outdoor staircase, hopping up or

down the steps with each note:
MARIA:
CHILDREN:
Do . . .
So Do
Re . . .
La Fa
Mi . . .
Mi Do
Fa . . .
Re
So . . .
So Do
La . . .
La Fa
Ti . . .
La So Fa Mi Re
Ti Do
Ti Do SCENE VI
THE VON TRAPPS GARDEN
The Captain and the Baroness stroll along. They stop to gaze at the
shimmering lake.
BARONESS This really is exciting for me, Georg, being here with you.
CAPTAIN Oh ho ho ho ho ho. Trees, lakes, mountains. When you've seen one,
you've seen them all.
BARONESS That is not what I mean and you know it.
CAPTAIN Ah, you-you mean me. I'm exciting.
BARONESS Is that so impossible?
CAPTAIN No, just, uh, highly improbable.
BARONESS There you go, running yourself down again.
CAPTAIN Well, I'm a dangerous driver.
The Baroness laughs. They keep walking, arm in arm.
BARONESS You know, you're-you're much less of a riddle when I see you here,
Georg.
CAPTAIN In my natural habitat?
BARONESS Yes, exactly.
CAPTAIN Are you trying to say that I'm more at home here among the birds and
the flowers and the wind that moves through the trees like a restless sea,
hm?
BARONESS How poetic!
CAPTAIN Yes, it was rather, wasn't it?
She laughs.
CAPTAIN More at home here than in Vienna? In all your glittering salons?
I detest? Is that what you're trying to say?
BARONESS More or less, yes.
CAPTAIN Now, whatever gave you that idea?
BARONESS (laughs) How I do like it here, Georg. It's so lovely and peaceful.
How can you leave it as often as you do?
CAPTAIN Mm hm. Or perhaps just searching for a reason to stay.

BARONESS Oh, I hope that's why you've been coming to Vienna so often. Or
were there other distractions there?
CAPTAIN Oh, I'd hardly call you a mere distraction, darling.
BARONESS Well, what would you call me, Georg?
CAPTAIN Mmmm. Lovely. Charming, witty, graceful. The perfect hostess. And,
in a way, my savior.
BARONESS Oh, how unromantic.
CAPTAIN Well, it was you who brought some meaning back into my life.
BARONESS Oh, I am amusing, I suppose.
CAPTAIN Ah, heh heh.

On the veranda, a servant offers Max a tray.
SERVANT More strudel, Herr Detweiler?
MAX (feeling his stomach) How many have I had?
SERVANT Two.
MAX Make it an uneven three.
The Captain and the Baroness join him.
CAPTAIN Still eating, Max, hm? Tch, tch. Must be unhappy.
MAX I am just thinking of that marvelous mixed quartet I've been trying for months and that
I have missed..
CAPTAIN I wonder where the children are.
BARONESS Obviously, they must have heard I was coming and went into hiding.
CAPTAIN I was hoping they'd be here to welcome you. Uh, Max, try and be charming.(the
Captain leaves)
The Captain strides into the house. The shrewd-faced Max waits for him to
leave, then approaches the Baroness.
MAX Well?
BARONESS Well, what?
MAX Have you made up Georg's mind yet? Do I hear wedding bells?
BARONESS None of your business Max. I'm terribly fond of
Georg and I will not have you toying with us.
MAX But I'm a child. I like toys. So tell me everything.
She shakes her head and says nothing.
MAX Aw, come on. Tell Max every teensy weensy, intimate, disgusting detail.
BARONESS Well, let's just say I have a feeling I may be here on approval.
MAX If I know you, darling -- and I do -- you will find a way.
BARONESS Oh, he's no ordinary man.
MAX Wah-ho, he's rich.
BARONESS When his wife died, she left him with a terrible heartache.
MAX When your husband died, he left you with a terrible fortune.
BARONESS (mockingly) Oh, Max, you really are a beast!
MAX You and Georg are like family to me. That's why I want to see you two get
married. We must keep all that lovely money in the family.
She giggles.
On another side of the house, Rolfe arrives.
CAPTAIN What are you doing there?
ROLFE (startled) Oh, Captain Von Trapp, I was just looking for-- I didn't
see-- I mean, I didn't know you were-- (giving the Nazi salute) Heil Hitler!
Max and the Baroness join the Captain who registers displeasure at Rolfe's
salute.
CAPTAIN How do you dare? Who are you?
ROLFE I have a telegram for Herr Detweiler.
MAX I'm Herr Detweiler.
ROLFE Yes, sir.
Rolfe joins them and offers the telegram to Max but the Captain snatches it
away and hands it to Max.
CAPTAIN (sharply) All right. You've delivered your telegram. Now, get out.
Chastened, Rolfe runs taway.
BARONESS Oh, Georg. He's just a boy.
CAPTAIN (tense) Yes. And I'm just an Austrian.
MAX What's gonna happen's going to happen. Just make sure it doesn't happen
to you.
CAPTAIN (angry, voice raised) Max! Don't you ever say that again!
MAX You know I have no political convictions. Can I help it if other people
do?
CAPTAIN Oh, yes, you can help it! (more quietly) You must help it.
Max walks away, flustered. The Captain leans on the veranda's railing, his
head bowed. The Baroness eyes him sympathetically.
The children are back.
CHILDREN Papa! Papa! Papa!
MARIA (rising) Oh! Oh, Captain! You're home!
CAPTAIN Come here at once!

MARIA Oh! You must be Baroness Schraeder!
Next to the grim-faced Captain, the Baroness struggles not to laugh.
The children try to clean their clothes, everyone talking
simultaneously.
Then the Captain takes a whistle from his pocket and with one blast, silences
the children's chatter. They slosh to their places in line and stand at attention.
CAPTAIN Straight line!
The Captain paces back and forth in front of his children.
CAPTAIN (smiles) This is Baroness Schraeder...

His smile fades at the sight of his raggedy children.
CAPTAIN (to the Baroness) ... and these, are my children.
BARONESS How do you do?
CAPTAIN All right. Go inside, clean up, change your clothes,
report back here! Immediately!
The children scramble into the house. Maria frowns with disgust and follows
them.
CAPTAIN Fraulein, you will stay here, please!
Maria stops, her back to the Captain.
BARONESS I, uh, think I'd better go see what Max is up to.
The Baroness in her tailored, sophisticated suit, leaves by walking past
Maria who wears her plain, brown, dress. Maria turns to face the Captain.
CAPTAIN Now, Fraulein. I want a truthful answer from you.
MARIA Yes, Captain?
CAPTAIN Where, may I ask, did they get their, um, their, uh ...?
MARIA Play clothes.
CAPTAIN Oh, is that what you call them?
MARIA I made them -- from the drapes in my bedroom.
CAPTAIN (incredulous) Drapes! Do you mean that my children have been
roaming about Salzburg dressed up in old drapes?!
MARIA Mm-hmm. And having a marvelous time!
CAPTAIN They have uniforms!
MARIA Straitjackets, if you'll forgive me.
CAPTAIN I will not forgive you for that.
MARIA Children cannot play if they have to worry about spoiling their precious clothes all
the ...
CAPTAIN I haven't heard them complain yet.
MARIA Well, they wouldn't dare. They love you too much. They fear you too
much.
CAPTAIN I don't wish you to discuss my children in this manner.
MARIA Well, you've got to hear from someone. You're never home long enough
to know them.
CAPTAIN I said I don't want to hear any more from you about my children.
MARIA I know you don't! But you've got to! (beat) Now, take Liesl...
CAPTAIN You will not say one word about Liesl, Fraulein ...
MARIA She's not a child anymore. One of these days you're going to wake up
and find she's a woman. You won't even know her. And Friedrich. He's a boy
but he wants to be a man like you .
CAPTAIN Don't you dare tell me about my son!
MARIA Brigitta could tell you about him . She notices everything.
CAPTAIN Fraulein ...
MARIA And Kurt and Louisa and
CAPTAIN That will do.
MARIA ... the way you do all of them
CAPTAIN I said, that will do!
MARIA I have not finished yet, Captain!
CAPTAIN Oh, yes, you have, Captain!
Maria looks at him, surprised.
CAPTAIN (corrects himself) Fraulein. (beat) Now, you will pack your things
this minute ... ... and return to the Abbey ...
CHILDREN'S VOICES "What a wonderful world ... "
CAPTAIN What's that?
MARIA It's singing.
CAPTAIN Yes, I realize it's singing but who is singing?
MARIA The children.
CAPTAIN (astonished) The children?
MARIA I taught them something to sing for the Baroness.
Ignoring her, the Captain strides to the house. Maria watches him go,
troubled.
SCENEVII (LA MUSICA CONTINUA)
INSIDE THE VILLA

The Captain slows as he reaches a spacious drawing room. Wearing their
uniforms, the children sing for Max and the Baroness.
CHILDREN
(singing)
... What a wonderful world.
The Captain hides by the doorway. His eyes soften, he nods slightly to the
music.
CHILDREN
(singing)
With a growing smile, the Captain walks into the room and joins in.
THE CAPTAIN AND THE CHILDREN (singing)
Everyone gapes at him, astonished.
The children exchange amazed glances and gaze adoringly at their father as he
sings solo:
CAPTAIN (sings
The children back him for the last lines:
CAPTAIN (sings)
Maria appears in the doorway and watches. The Captain smiles faintly and
takes a few hesitant step toward his children. Brigitta runs over and gives
him a hug. The rest of the children surround him. The Captain hugs the
little ones and playfully nudges the others. They all start to laugh. Maria
looks in and bows her head.
CAPTAIN Ah!
Maria motions to Gretl to take a small bouquet of white wildflowers to the
Baroness. Gretl gives the Baroness her bouquet.
BARONESS Edelweiss!
Gretl curtsies.
BARONESS Oh!
The Baroness hugs Gretl.
BARONESS (to Captain) You never told me how enchanting your children are.
The Captain shakes his head as if to say, No, I didn't realize it myself. He
turns, looks over at the doorway, and sees Maria who hurries to the stairs.
CAPTAIN (whispers to the children) Don't go 'way!

The Captain strides quickly out of the room just as Maria reaches the
staircase.
CAPTAIN Fraulein...
She hesitates, then turns to face him.
CAPTAIN I ... behaved badly. I apologize.
MARIA No, I'm, I'm far too outspoken. It's one of my worst faults.
CAPTAIN You were right. I don't know my children.
MARIA There's still time, Captain. They want so much to be close to you.
CAPTAIN And you've brought ... music back into the house? I'd forgotten.
Maria starts up the stairs.
CAPTAIN Fraulein.
She stops.
CAPTAIN I want you to stay.
She stares at him. The Captain smiles contritely.
CAPTAIN I, uh, ask you to stay.
MARIA If I could be of any help.
CAPTAIN You have already. More than you know.
Their eyes meet. With a quick, shy smile, the Captain strides back to the
drawing room and invites Maria.
MAX AND THE BARONESS Bravo! Wonderful! etc.
MAX
Well done, Fraulein.
Maria smiles modestly.
CAPTAIN I really am very, very much impressed.

MARIA They're your children, Captain.
Their eyes meet in a lingering gaze. The Captain shifts uncomfortably, then
takes the Baroness' arm and starts out of the room.
BARONESS (coolly) My dear, is there anything you can't do?
MARIA Well, I'm not sure I'll make a very good nun.
CAPTAIN Oh ho ho.
BARONESS Well, if you have any problems I'd be happy to help you.
The Baroness smiles coldly and walks into the grand front hall. The Captain
keeps looking at Maria in her blue dress.
MAX Attention! Attention, everyone! I have an announcement to make!
Surprise, surprise. Today, after a long and desperate search, I have finally
found a most exciting entry for the Salzburg Folk Festival!
The Captain knows full well what Max has in mind.
CAPTAIN Congratulations, Max. Who will you be exploiting this time?
MAX Ha ha!
BARONESS (guessing) The Saint Ignatius Choir?
MAX Guess again!
CAPTAIN Um ... let me see now, uh ... the Klopmann Choir?
MAX No, no, no, no, no.
CAPTAIN No?
MAX No, no.
LIESL Tell us.
MAX A singing group all in one family. You'll never guess, Georg.
CAPTAIN What a charming idea! Uh, whose family?
MAX (laughs) Yours.

CAPTAIN Oh.
CHILDREN (they love the idea) Ohhh!
MAX They'll be the talk of the festival.
CAPTAIN Hm!
The Captain studies Max with an amused grin and laughs.
MAX Well, now, what's so funny?
CAPTAIN You are, Max. You're expensive ... but very funny.
The children laugh.
MAX But you heard them. They'll be a sensation.
CAPTAIN No, Max.
CHILDREN (disappointed) Ohhhh!
MAX It's a wonderful idea! Fresh, original ...
CAPTAIN Max, my children do not sing in public.
MAX Well, you can't blame me for trying.
MARIA Children, who shall we hear from next?
The children huddle around Maria. Liesl leans forward and whispers something
to Maria.
MARIA Who?
CHILDREN Yes. Yes.
Maria picks up her guitar and looks uncertainly at the children who nod.
CHILDREN Yes. Yes.
Maria clears her throat and walks over to the Captain and holds the guitar
out to him.
MARIA The vote is unanimous. You, Captain.
CAPTAIN Me?
Max laughs.
CAPTAIN I don't understand.
MARIA Please.
Maria holds out the guitar to the Captain. The Captain looks at the children,
realizes what they're up to.
CAPTAIN No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
MARIA I'm told that a long time ago you were quite good.
CAPTAIN Well, that was a very, very, very long time ago.
LIESL I remember, Father.
Maria holds out the guitar to the Captain again.
FRIEDRICH Play us something we know.
BRIGITTA Oh, please, Father.
MARIA Please.
He smiles at the children affectionately.
CAPTAIN Well ...
The Captain takes the guitar and strums a few chords. The children settle on
the floor in front of him. Liesl takes a seat. Maria leans against a wall.
Max and the Baroness sit together.
BARONESS Why didn't you tell me?
MAX What?
BARONESS To bring along my harmonica.
Max chuckles.
CAPTAIN
(sings)
Edelweiss, edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
The Captain smiles at Maria. The Baroness observes them shrewdly.
CAPTAIN (sings)
Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Bless my homeland forever
He looks at the Baroness who smiles eagerly, then nods to Liesl as he sings
another refrain. Liesl joins in.
CAPTAIN AND LIESL (singing)
Edelweiss, (edelweiss) edelweiss (edelweiss)
Small and white (small and white), clean and bright (clean and bright)
CAPTAIN (sings)
Gazing at Maria, he grins and shrugs modestly.
MAX Any time you say the word, Georg, you can be part of my new act ...
The Captain laughs.
MAX ... the Von Trapp Family Singers.
BARONESS I have a wonderful idea, Georg. Let's really fill this house with
music. You must give a grand and glorious party for me while I'm here.
The children gasp with delight.
CAPTAIN A party?
CHILDREN Yes, yes, Father, please! Oh, Father, please.
BARONESS Yes, I think it's high time I met all your friends here in
Salzburg, and they met me. Don't you agree?
CAPTAIN I see what you mean.
CHILDREN Oh, please. Please! Please!
Maria walks over to the children.
MARIA Children! It's time to go to bed! Come now. Say good night.
CHILDREN (disappointed) Ohhh ...
The children stand up.
CHILDREN Good night, Father. Good night. Good night, Baroness Schraeder.
Good night, Uncle Max.
The Captain kisses and hugs his children. They dash out of the room, beaming
with excitement. Gretl runs to catch up, then stops and turns in the doorway.
GRETL It will be my first party, Father.
SCENE VIII
THE PARTY - NIGHT

An orchestra plays a waltz as a number of guests dance around the room -women in long, flowing ball gowns and men in tuxedoes. A conductor leads an
orchestra using his violin bow as a baton. Outside, cars and carriages fill
the driveway. The Captain and the Baroness greet the arriving guests. A red
and white Austrian flag hangs conspicuously from the balcony. The Captain
wears a medal from a matching red and white ribbon around his neck.
The children are in a corner, looking at the ballroom.
BRIGITTA The women look so beautiful.
KURT I think they look ugly.
LOUISA You just say that because you're scared of them.

KURT Silly, only grown-up men are scared of women.
GRETL I think the men look beautiful.
LOUISA How would you know?
Liesl imagines a young man is asking her to dance. Liesl curtsies and
begins to waltz by herself.
BRIGITTA Liesl, who are you dancing with?
LIESL Nobody.
BRIGITTA Oh, yes you are.
Friedrich cuts in, tapping Liesl on shoulder.
FRIEDRICH May I have this dance?
LIESL I'd be delighted, young man.
The children gather to watch Liesl and Friedrich waltz together. Maria walks
into the room and joins them.
MARIA Well, why didn't you children tell me you could dance?
KURT We were afraid you'd make us all dance together -- the Von Trapp
Family Dancers!
The other children laugh. The music begins. The children glance toward the ballroom.
GRETL What's that they are playing?
MARIA It's the waltzer. It's an Austrian dance.
KURT Show me.
MARIA Oh, Kurt, I haven't danced that since I was a little girl.
KURT Oh, you remember. Please.
MARIA Well --
KURT Please.
MARIA All right, you bow and I curtsy.
KURT Like this?
MARIA Fine. Now, we go this way.
Maria takes Kurt's hand and demonstrates a dance step.
MARIA One, two, three. One, two, three.
The Captain come out watching them dance. He smiles and pulls on his white gloves and
cuts in.
CAPTAIN Do allow me, will you?
KURT Mm-hmm.
Kurt joins the other children. Maria stares at the Captain in surprise. He
holds out his hand. She hesitates, then takes it. They start to dance
liltingly around room. With shy smiles they clasp hands and do a
series of graceful twirls. Arms entwined, the Captain and Maria spin in a slow circle,
gazing deeply into each other's eyes. Maria steps back, troubled.
MARIA I don't remember any more.
They share a dreamy gaze. Brigitta walks over.
BRIGITTA Your face is all red.
MARIA Is it? I don't suppose I'm used to dancing.
The Captain smiles tenderly. The music ends, the guests applaud. The Baroness,
trying to hold her jealousy in check, walks over to the Captain.
BARONESS Why, that was beautifully done. What a lovely couple you make.
CAPTAIN Yes. I think it's time the, uh, children said good night.
MARIA Yes. Right. Yes. Let's go. Come on.
MAX They're extraordinary. What they would do at the festival! (to Maria) Oh,
young lady, I must have a word with you.
Max drags Maria by the hand.

MAX Georg, Georg, you're not going to let this girl get away. She has to join
the party.
The children leave.
MARIA No, really, I-MAX (hushing Maria) Sh sh sh. Stop it.
The Baroness glares.
MAX Georg, please.
CAPTAIN You can if you want to, Fraulein.
MAX I insist. You will be my dinner partner. (quietly reassuring the
Baroness) This is business. (to the butler) Franz, set another place next to
mine for Fraulein Maria.
Franz hesitates. Maria is uneasy.
FRANZ Whatever you say, Herr Detweiler.
CAPTAIN Well, it appears to be all arranged, doesn't it?
BARONESS It certainly does.
MARIA I'm not suitably dressed.
CAPTAIN Uh, well, you can change. We'll wait for you.
MARIA (to Max, in a daze) All right.
Still uncertain, Maria goes off to change. The Baroness, overhearing all this, decides to
follow Maria upstairs and exits. The Captain chats with his guests,
among them the Ebberfelds and ZELLER, a ferret-faced, silver-haired, pro-Nazi
Austrian.
The Captain's polite smile fades as he watches Zeller stops and scowls disapprovingly at
the Austrian flag hanging from the balcony.
ZELLER I was wondering about the display of the Austrian flag in the
hallway.
Baroness Ebberfeld speaks.
BARONESS EBBERFELD Captain, you must be very proud of your youngsters.

CAPTAIN I am, thank you, Baroness.
BARON EBBERFELD Is there a more beautiful expression in this
country of ours than the innocent voices of our children?
ZELLER Oh, come now, Baron, would you have us believe that Austria alone
holds a monopoly on virtue?
CAPTAIN Uh, Herr Zeller, some of us prefer Austrian voices raised in song
to ugly German threats.
ZELLER Captain, you know that the Anschluss is coming -- and it
is coming, Captain perhaps you can help them set them to music!
CAPTAIN If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that
you will be the entire trumpet section.
The Captain turns to leave.
ZELLER You flatter me, Captain.
The Captain stops and turns back to Zeller.
CAPTAIN No, Herr Zeller. I meant to accuse you.
The Captain turns and walks away. Zeller and Max exchange glances.
SCENE IX
MARIAS ROOM
Upstairs in her room, Maria changes out of her dress.
MARIA It's very kind of you to offer to help me, Baroness.
BARONESS I'm delighted, Maria.
MARIA I-I-I- really don't think I do have anything that would be
appropriate.
BARONESS Now, where is that lovely little thing you were wearing the other
evening when the Captain couldn't keep his eyes off you?
MARIA Couldn't keep his eyes off me?

BARONESS Come, my dear, we are women. Now, we know when a man notices us.
The Baroness pulls Maria's simple, gauzy, cool blue dress from the armoir.
BARONESS Here we are.
MARIA The Captain notices everybody and everything.
BARONESS Oh, Maria. You are quite attractive, you know. The Captain would hardly be a
man if he didn't notice you.
MARIA Baroness, I hope you're joking.
BARONESS Not at all.
MARIA But I've never done a thing to -BARONESS But you don't have to, my dear. There's nothing more irresistible
to a man than a woman who's in love with him.
MARIA In love with him?
BARONESS Of course. And what makes it so nice is ... he think he's in love
with you.
MARIA But that's not true.
BARONESS Surely you've noticed the way he looks into your eyes. And you
know, uh, you blushed in his arms when you were dancing just now.
Putting her hands to her cheeks, Maria realizes the Baroness is right.
BARONESS Don't take it too seriously. He'll get over it soon enough I should
think. Men do, you know.
MARIA Then, I should go. I mustn't stay here.
The Baroness likes this idea but tries not to show it. After a moment of
confusion, Maria grabs her carpetbag from beneath her bed and starts stuffing
it with clothes.
BARONESS Is there something I can do to help?
MARIA No, nothing.

The Baroness starts to leave.
MARIA Yes.
The Baroness stops.
MARIA Please don't say a word about this to the Captain.
BARONESS No. No, I wouldn't dream of it.
The Baroness goes to the door and turns back to Maria.
BARONESS Goodbye, Maria. I'm sure you'll make a very fine nun.
She smiles fleetingly and walks out. Maria watches her go, then continues to
pack. She takes her drab gray dress off the hanger and bows her head, leaning
against the bed in anguish.
Maria writes a letter, puts it in an envelope and leaves it on her bed. Then she takes her
bag and her guitar, and hurries downstairs.
ACT II
SCENE I
THE GARDEN OF THE TRAPP VILLA - DAY
Several days later. Max sits on the veranda overlooking the lake. He watches
the Baroness play a game with the children, throwing a large rubber ball.
They stand in a circle, counting off ("Two" "Three" "Four" etc.), as they
toss the ball among themselves. Nobody is having much fun.
The Baroness clearly has no interest or aptitude for playing children's games
and the children are obviously bored.
BARONESS Isn't this fun? Um ... (passes ball to Friedrich) Four ...
FRIEDRICH I'm number five.
BARONESS Oh, yes.
KURT Baroness Schraeder, do you mind if we stop now? We're tired.

BARONESS (relieved) Oh, whatever you want, dear. We'll do it again tomorrow.
The children leave.
MAX (ironic) The country's so restful, isn't it? Have some lemonade.
BARONESS Oh, there must be an easier way.
MAX (chuckles) I get a fcertain delight thinking of you as the mother of
seven.
BARONESS Mm hm.
MAX How do you plan to do it?
BARONESS Darling, haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called
boarding school?
MAX Baroness Machiavelli.
She raises her eyebrows in agreement. The children approach.
BRIGITTA Uncle Max, where's father?
MAX I think he's in the house. What's the matter with all you?
BRIGITTA Nothing.
MAX I know what we'll do. Let's have a rehearsal.
LOUISA What for?
MAX Let's make believe we're standing on the stage at the Festival.
MARTA I don't feel like singing.
GRETL Not without Fraulein Maria.
MAX Liesl, get the guitar. Come on, Marta.

The children protest mildly but Max presses on.
MAX Everybody into the group. You know your places, get in your places,
that's right. Now, be cheerful, right. Give us the key, Liesl.
Liesl plays the guitar.
MAX Now ... impress me.
The children begin to sing a few notes -- well, not all of them. Disappointed,
Max interrupts.
MAX Friedrich, Gretl, why don't you sing?
GRETL I can't. I've got a sore finger.
Gretl shows Max a bandaged index finger.
MAX But you sang so beautifully the night of the party. Come on, all of you,
sing something, try something you know. Enjoy it. Be cheerful. All right,
Liesl.
Liesl plays. The children sing listlessly but with a somber, melancholic
beauty.
CHILDREN (singing) What a wonderful world.
The Captain comes out in his crisp gray and green suit. He pauses to watch
and listen.
. The Captain raises his eyebrows, sensing that something's wrong and walks to Max. The
children stop singing.
MAX They just wanted to sing for me, bless their hearts.
CAPTAIN (to the children) That's lovely, lovely, don't stop.
They don't respond.
CAPTAIN Hm?
The Captain sits near the Baroness.
BARONESS Uh, something long and cool, Georg?

CAPTAIN No thank you, darling.
BRIGITTA Father?
CAPTAIN Yes, Brigitta?
BRIGITTA Is it true Fraulein Maria isn't coming back?
CAPTAIN Fraulein Maria? Yes, I suppose it's true, yes. (off the lemonade)
What have we got here?
BARONESS Pink lemonade.
The Captain shudders.
BRIGITTA I don't believe it, Father.
CAPTAIN Hm? Don't believe what, darling?
BRIGITTA About Fraulein Maria.
CAPTAIN Oh, Fraulein Maria. Didn't I tell you what her note said? Oh, I'm
sure I did. She said she missed her life at the Abbey too much. She had to
leave us.
LOUISA She didn't even say goodbye.

CAPTAIN She did in her note.
LOUISA That isn't the same thing.
BARONESS (off the lemonade) Not too sweet, not too sour.
MAX Just too, um, pink.
GRETL Father?
CAPTAIN Hm?
GRETL Who is our new governess going to be?
Pausing in mid sip, the Captain glances at the Baroness.
CAPTAIN Well ... (rises) ... you're not going to have a governess anymore.
CHILDREN (astonished) We're not?
CAPTAIN No.
The Captain squeezes the Baroness' shoulders.
CAPTAIN You're going to have a new mother.
LIESL A new mother?
CAPTAIN We talked about it last night. It's all settled, and we're all
going to be very happy. (to Baroness) Mmm?
The Baroness smiles at him but the smile fades as she turns to the children
who stare silently. The Captain scowls and nods to the children and they step
up one by one to kiss the Baroness on the cheek. The Baroness glances at Max
who looks skeptical. The children kiss the Baroness slowly and reluctantly.
CAPTAIN (annoyed) Well, all right, all right, all right. Now, run off and
play.
The children leave, glancing sullenly back at the Baroness and their father.
SCENE II
THE. ABBEY - THAT AFTERNOON

In Salzburg, the children approachthe Abbey's wrought iron gate. They see a nun sweep
the cobblestone courtyard inside. Liesl pulls a bell cord. Another nun approaches the
locked gate and smiles warmly.
NUN Yes, my children?
LIESL My name is Liesl.
NUN Yes, Liesl?
LIESL We -- my brothers and sisters -- we want to see Fraulein Maria.

NUN Fraulein Maria? Oh, Maria! Come in, please.
The nun unlocks the gate and the children enter. The nun holds up her hands.
NUN Wait here.
The nun walks over to Sister Margaretta who stands talking with another nun.
Sister Margaretta glances at the children and joins them.
MARGARETTA I'm Sister Margaretta. I understand you've been inquiring about Maria.
FRIEDRICH We have to see her. Will you tell her we're here, please?
MARGARETTA I'm afraid I can't do that.
LOUISA Oh, but you've got to. We have to speak to her.
MARTA She's our governess.
GRETL We want her back.
KURT She didn't say even goodbye.
GRETL It's very important.
LIESL All we want to do is talk to her.
MARGARETTA I'm very sorry, children, but Maria is in seclusion. She hasn't
been seeing anyone.
FRIEDRICH She'll see us. I know she will.
GRETL I want to show her my finger.
MARGARETTA Oh, some other time, dear. I'll tell her that you were here. It
was sweet of you to call. Run along home now. Go on.
Smiling gently, Sister Margaretta ushers the children back out through the
gate and shuts it behind them.
BRIGITTA Oh, please.
MARGARETTA Run along, children!
FRIEDRICH I'm sure she'd like to see us.

MARGARETTA Goodbye, children.
CHILDREN Please! Please! Sister Margaretta! Sister Margaretta!
Sister Margaretta walks away. The Reverend Mother joins her.
MOTHER ABBESS What was that about, Sister Margaretta?
MARGARETTA The Von Trapp children, Reverend Mother. They want to see Maria.
MOTHER ABBESS Has she spoken yet? Has she told you anything?
MARGARETTA She doesn't say a word, Reverend Mother, except in prayer.
MOTHER ABBESS Poor child.
MARGARETTA It's strange. She - she seems happy to be back here and yet ...
and yet she's unhappy too.
MOTHER ABBESS Perhaps I have been wrong in leaving her alone so long. I think
you'd better bring her to me, even she's not yet ready.
MARGARETTA Yes, Reverend Mother.
A few minutes later.
Maria walks in wearing a black habit and a simple novitiate's wimple. She
rushes to the Reverend Mother, takes her hand and kneels at her feet.
MOTHER ABBESS You've been unhappy. I'm sorry.
Maria kisses her hand.
MARIA Reverend Mother.
MOTHER ABBESS Why did they send you back to us?
MARIA They didn't send me back, Mother, I-I left.
MOTHER ABBESS Sit down, Maria. Tell me what happened.
MARIA (sits) Well, I -- I was frightened.

MOTHER ABBESS Frightened? Were they unkind to you?
MARIA Oh, no! No, I-I was - I was confused. I-I felt -- I've never felt
that way before. I couldn't stay. I knew that here I'd be away from it. I'd
be safe.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, our Abbey is not an escape. What is it
you can't face?
MARIA I can't face him again.
MOTHER ABBESS Captain Von Trapp? Are you in love with him?
MARIA I don't know! I don't know! The Baroness said I was. She - she said
that he was in love with me, but I-I didn't want to believe it. Oh, there
were times when we would look at each other. Oh Mother, I could hardly
breathe.
MOTHER ABBESS Did you let him see how you felt?
MARIA If I did, I didn't know it. That's what's been torturing me. Oh, I couldn't stay, I just
couldn't. I'm ready at this moment to take my vows. Please help me.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, the love of a man and a woman is holy, too. You have a
great capacity to love. What you must find out is how God wants you to spend
your love.
MARIA But I pledged my life to God, I - I've pledged my life to his service.
MOTHER ABBESS My daughter, if you love this man, it doesn't mean you love God
less. No. You must find out. You must go back.
MARIA Oh, Mother, you can't ask me to do that. Please, let me stay. I beg of
you.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, You
have to face your problems.. You have to live the life you were born to live.
SCENE III
VON TRAPP GARDEN. EARLY EVENING

The Captain is questioning the children who have obviously just returned from
their trip to Abbey.
CAPTAIN Now, it's not like my children to have secrets.
LOUISA No, Father.
CAPTAIN Mm hm. And it's not like my children to be late for dinner.
FRIEDRICH We lost track of the time.
CAPTAIN Ah, I see.
CHILDREN Yes, yes.
CAPTAIN All right, now who's going to be the first one to tell me the truth?
Friedrich? Brigitta? Liesl?
LIESL Where do you think we were, Father?
CAPTAIN Hm?
LIESL Well, if you don't believe us, you must have some idea where you think
we were.
Marta giggles at this.
CAPTAIN Aha! Marta!
MARTA Yes, Father?
CAPTAIN You tell me.
MARTA Friedrich told you, Father. We were berry picking.
CAPTAIN (claps his hands) I forgot. You were berry picking.
CHILDREN Yes, yes ...
CAPTAIN All afternoon?

CHILDREN Mm hm!
LOUISA We picked thousands of them.
CAPTAIN Thousands?
The children all talk at once, affirming the tall tale.
CAPTAIN What kind of berries?
FRIEDRICH Ah, blueberries, sir.
CAPTAIN Blueberries? (sounds yummy) Mmm mm.
The children chime in their agreement with the whole blueberry story.
CAPTAIN It's, um, too early for blueberries.
FRIEDRICH They were strawberries.
CAPTAIN Strawberries?
FRIEDRICH It's been so cold lately, they turned blue.
CAPTAIN I dont want my children to tell lies! Youll have no dinner tonight.
The Captain exits.
BRIGITTA When Fraulein Maria wanted to feel better, she used to sing that
song. Remember?
LIESL Yes.
BRIGITTA Let's try it.
CHILDREN (singing slowly and sadly)
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
GRETL Why don't I feel better?
Liesl hugs Gretl.

CHILDREN (singing slowly and sadly)
Suddenly Maria's voice joins them.
CHILDREN AND MARIA
The children stop singing and start chattering with excitement.
MARIA
Wearing the green dress that belonged to the new postulant, Maria runs to the
children (who run to her), drops her guitar and carpetbag, and gives them all
a big hug.
MARIA AND THE CHILDREN (singing happily)
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
Kneeling, Maria touches Gretl's and Marta's faces lovingly. She blows a kiss
to Louisa. The children laugh.
MARIA Oh, children, I'm so glad to see you!
MARTA We missed you!
MARIA Oh, I missed you. Kurt, how are you?
KURT Hungry.
Everyone laughs. Gretl shows Maria her bandaged finger.
MARIA Gretl, what happened to your finger?
GRETL It got caught.
MARIA Caught in what?

GRETL Friedrich's teeth.
Everyone laughs.
MARIA Liesl, you all right?
LIESL Just fair.
MARIA Many telegrams been delivered here lately?
LIESL None at all, Fraulein. But I'm learning to accept it. I'll be glad when
school begins.
MARIA Oh, Liesl, you can't use school to escape your problems. You have to
face them. Oh, I have so much to tell you all.
LOUISA We have things to tell you, too.
MARIA I'm sure you do.
BRIGITTA The most important thing is that Father's going to be married.
MARIA Married?
LOUISA Yes, to Baroness Schraeder.
MARIA (stunned) Oh, I see ...
The captain enters
.CHILDREN Oh, Father, look! Look!
FRIEDRICH Father, Fraulein Maria's come back from the Abbey.
MARIA Good evening, Captain.
CAPTAIN Good evening. All right, everyone inside. Go and get your dinner.
CHILDREN Dinner! Dinner!
The children happily rush into the house. The Captain walks down to Maria.
CAPTAIN You left without saying goodbye ... even to the children.
MARIA Well, it was wrong of me. Forgive me.

CAPTAIN Why did you?
MARIA Please don't ask me. Anyway, the reason no longer exists.
The Baroness comes out.
BARONESS Fraulein Maria, you've returned. Isn't it wonderful, Georg?
MARIA May I wish you every happiness, Baroness, and you too, Captain. The
children tell me you're going to be married.
BARONESS Thank you, my dear.
Maria tries to run away.
CAPTAIN You are back to, uh, stay?
Maria stops, turns back, and shakes her head.
MARIA Only until you find another governess.
The Baroness watches the Captain watch Maria enter the house. The Captain
smiles at the Baroness and takes her hand. They walk in the garden.
CAPTAIN Elsa. Look, Elsa ...
BARONESS Yes, Georg?
CAPTAIN It's no use ... you and I. I'm being dishonest to both of us ... and utterly unfair to
you. When two people talk of marriage ...
BARONESS No, don't. Don't say another word, Georg, please. You see, uh,
there are other things I've been thinking of. Fond as I am of you, I really
don't think you're the right man for me. You're, um, you're much too
independent and I-I need someone who needs me desperately..Now, if, um, if you forgive
me, I'll go inside, pack my little bags, and return to Vienna where I belong. And
somewhere in there is a young lady who I think ... will never be a nun.
The Captain's eyes widen in surprise, then his face relaxes into a smile. She
kisses him on the cheek.
BARONESS Auf Wiedersehen, darling.
He watches the Baroness walk away, blinks his eyes reflectively, then returns
his gaze to the lake.
Maria comes out in the moonlit garden next to the glass-walled gazebo, Maria sits on one
end of a stone bench. Elbows on her knees, she knits her fingers together and
stares downward.
CAPTAIN Hello.
CAPTAIN I, I thought I just might find you here.
MARIA (rises) Was - was there something you wanted?
CAPTAIN Mm? No, no, no, no. Sit down, please.
She stands still.
CAPTAIN Please.
She sits as he scans the grounds. The Captain asks permission sit down.
CAPTAIN Uh, may I?
She nods and he sits on the opposite end of the bench, giving her a friendly
smile. She looks self-consciously at her lap.
CAPTAIN (laughs) You know, I was thinking and I was wondering ... two things.
Why did you run away to the Abbey? And what was it that made you come back?
MARIA Well, I had an obligation to fulfill and I -- I came back to fulfill
it.
CAPTAIN Mm. Is that all?
MARIA And I missed the children.
CAPTAIN Yes. Uh, uh, only the children? I was, uh, only hoping that perhaps you
... perhaps you might, uh ...
MARIA Yes?
CAPTAIN Well, uh, nothing was the same when you were away and it'll be
wrong again after you leave. And I just thought perhaps you might, uh ...
change your mind?
She studies his face, then rises and walks away.
MARIA Well, I'm sure the Baroness will be able to make things fine for you.
CAPTAIN Maria ...
She stops.
CAPTAIN There isn't going to be any Baroness.
MARIA There isn't?
CAPTAIN No.
MARIA I don't understand.
CAPTAIN Well, we've, um ... called off our engagement, you see, and, um...
MARIA Oh, I'm sorry.
CAPTAIN Yes. Well, you can't marry someone when you're in love with someone
else, can you?
Maria shakes her head. The Captain cups her chin in his hand and pulls her
gently toward him. Then he kisses her tenderly. She puts her head to his
shoulder.
MARIA (sighs) Well, I suppose you cant.
CAPTAIN I love you.
MARIA Oh, can this be happening to me?
(love song)
CAPTAIN (spoken) Do you know when I first started loving you? That night at
the dinner table when you sat on that ridiculous pine cone.
He laughs.
MARIA What? (laughs) I knew the first time you blew that silly whistle.
CAPTAIN Oh, my love.

CAPTAIN Maria? Is there anyone I should go to to ask permission to marry you?
MARIA Well, why don't we ask ...
CAPTAIN AND MARIA ... the children?
They kiss.
Wedding bells ring. Organ music.
SCENE IV
WEEKS LATER
AMPHITHEATER
A massive Nazi flag, its swastika looking like a black spider
hangs from it. A soldier opens the rear door and Herr Zeller and a Nazi officer walk
brusquely past him and straight inside.
The Von Trapp children stand at the edge of a stone stage talking with Max. He
stands on the floor below.
ZELLER Herr Detweiler.
Zeller holds out his arm in a Nazi salute.
ZELLER Heil Hitler.
MAX Oh, good afternoon, Herr Zeller.
ZELLER Perhaps you've not heard. Heil Hitler.
MAX Oh-ah, Heil Hitler.
ZELLER I have just come from the house of Captain Von Trapp. Incidentally,
the only one in the neighborhood not flying the flag of the Third Reich since
the Anschluss. But we have dealt with that situation.
MAX I don't think the Cap -ZELLER The housekeeper told me that I would find you here. It was the only
information the woman would give me.
MAX What kind of information are you looking for?
ZELLER We want to know when the Captain will be returning.
MAX Well, he's on his honeymoon trip. Uh, he's not been in touch with us.
ZELLER Are you asking me to believe that the Captain has not communicated
with his children in over a month?
MAX Herr Zeller, how many men do you know who communicate with their children
while on their honeymoon?
ZELLER When he does return, he will be expected to fill his proper position
in the new order.
MAX Naturally, naturally, and may I congratulate you, that is, your people,
on deciding to allow the festival to go on tonight as planned?
ZELLER Why should it not go on? Nothing in Austria has changed. Singing
and music will show this to the world. Austria is the same. Heil Hitler.
Zeller clicks his heels and exits.
MAX (saluting without conviction) Heil Hitler. Come on, children, let's go
home.
GRETL Why was he so cross?
MAX Everybody's cross these days, darling.
MARTA Maybe the flag with the black spider on it makes people nervous.
LIESL Is Father going to be in trouble?
MAX Well, he doesn't have to be.
BRIGITTA Are we really going to sing before a whole lot of people tonight?
MAX Of course, look. (off the festival program) The Von Trapp Family Singers.
Here are your names -- Liesl, Friedrich, Louisa, Brigitta, Kurt, Marta and
Gretl.
GRETL Why am I always last?
MAX Because you are the most important.
GRETL (pleased) Ohhh!
MAX There we go.
BRIGITTA Uncle Max, are you sure Father will approve of our singing in
public?
MAX Oh, he'll be pleased and proud.
BRIGITTA Liesl, do you think so?
MAX Don't you trust me?
BRIGITTA No!
MAX You're a very intelligent girl.
Rolfe appears, in a brown Nazi uniform.
ROLFE Liesl! Liesl!
LIESL Rolfe! Rolfe, I'm so glad to see you. It's been such -ROLFE Good afternoon. You will take this please and deliver it to your
father as soon as he comes home.
LIESL He's on his honeymoon.
ROLFE I know that.
LIESL You do?
ROLFE We make it our business to know everything about everyone.
LIESL Who's we?
ROLFE See that he gets it.
LIESL What is it?
ROLFE It's a telegram from Berlin.

LIESL Don't you want to come over tonight and deliver it yourself?
ROLFE I'm now occupied with more important matters.
LIESL But, Rolfe -Rolfe turns and walks away from Liesl without so much as a backward glance -the Nazis have got him totally brainwashed! Liesl sadly watches him go.
SCENE V
EXT. VON TRAPP VILLA - LATER THAT DAY
The Captain takes down a Nazi flag from above his front door. He rips the flag
in half. CHILDREN Father! You came so soon.
CAPTAIN Hello. Hello. Hello.
FRIEDRICH We didn't expect you so soon.
CHILDREN We wanted to meet your train. Did you bring us anything?
The children swarm around the Captain and Maria.
MARIA Hello. How are you?
FRIEDRICH Oh, why didn't you telephone us?
MARIA Well, we tried to, but we couldn't get through. We tried -The Captain shows the flag to Max.
MAX I had nothing to do with that, Georg.
CAPTAIN (quietly, to Max) We came back as fast as we could.
The Captain joins Maria and the children, snatching up Marta and giving her a
big hug.
CAPTAIN (to the children) Well, well, well, well, well! We missed you!
MARIA We missed kissing you good night.
The children laugh.
MARIA Mostly, we missed hearing you sing.
BRIGITTA Oh, you came back just in time.
Brigitta takes a program from Max's hand and shows it to Maria.
BRIGITTA Look, Fraulein Maria, I mean Mother...
BRIGITTA We're going to sing in the festival tonight.
MARIA What?
As the children all chatter at once, the Captain takes the program and shoots
Max a dirty look. Max tries to laugh it off.
MAX (to the Captain) Surprise! Surprise!
CAPTAIN (to the children) All right! Surprises for you on the terrace.
CHILDREN Presents! Oh, good!
The children run into the house. Liesl stays with Maria.
CAPTAIN (off the program, to Max) I want to talk about this.
MAX Georg, I would have told you but you were away
CAPTAIN Max ...

MAX They'll be the talk of the festival. Imagine seven children in one
family.
CAPTAIN Max! You know I dont like my family to sing in public
MARIA (to the Captain) Oh, darling, don't you think just this once ... ?
CAPTAIN Absolutely out of the question.

MAX Georg, this is for Austria.
CAPTAIN For Austria? (laughs darkly) There is no Austria!
MAX But the Anschluss happened peacefully. Let's at least be grateful for
that.
CAPTAIN Grateful? You know, Max, sometimes I don't believe I know you.
Liesl pulls out Rolfe's telegram.
LIESL Father, I forgot. This is for you.
The captain exits reading the telegram. Max follows.

LIESL Mother?
MARIA Hm?
LIESL That sounds so nice. I like calling you Mother.
MARIA I like hearing it.
LIESL Mother, what do you do when you think you love someone, I mean, when
you stop loving someone or when he stops loving you?
MARIA Well, you cry a little and then you wait for the sun to come out. It
always does.
LIESL There's so many things I think I should know. But I don't. I really
don't.
MARIA How can you?
(They hug)
Liesl exits.
Suddenly, the Captain appears with the opened telegram in his hand. His expression is
grave.
MARIA What it is?
CAPTAIN Berlin. They've offered me a commission in their navy. I've been
requested to accept immediately and report to their naval base at Bremerhaven
tomorrow.
MARIA I knew something like this would happen. I didn't think it would be
so soon.
CAPTAIN To refuse them would be fatal for all of us, but I cant join them!
He kisses Maria on the forehead, slips an arm around her shoulders, and they
walk into the front hall.
CAPTAIN Get the children all together. Don't say anything that's going to
make them worry. Just get them ready. We've got to get out of Austria and
this house ... (scans the front hall) ... tonight.
Maria looks at him nervously, then he pulls her into a comforting hug.
CURTAIN (a few minutes, music)
The whole Trapp family with their bags + Max
MAX (quietly) It not only strains my back, it breaks my heart when I think of
a certain singing group that will not appear at the festival tonight.
CAPTAIN By the time you've made the announcement, we'll be over the border.
MAX I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I'm making.
CAPTAIN You have no choice.
CAPTAIN Sh! Children!

LIESL Will we be coming back here?
MARIA Someday, Liesl. I do hope someday.
Bright lights flash on. Zeller and a squad of Nazi soldiersenter.

ZELLER Captain! Where are you and your family going?
The captain does not answer.
ZELLER Dont you want to know why Im here! You were sent a telegram which you did
not answer. A telegram from the Navy of the Third Reich.
CAPTAIN I thought, Herr Zeller, that the contents of telegrams in Austria are private -- at
least, the Austria I know.
ZELLER I have my orders -- and they are to take you personally to Bremerhaven
tonight where you will accept your commission.
CAPTAIN I'm afraid that's impossible. You see we, uh, um, all of us, the entire family, will
be ... singing in the festival tonight. As a matter of fact, that's where we were going now.
MARIA I just hope we're not too late.

CAPTAIN Yes.
ZELLER And you ask me to believe this -- that you, Captain Von Trapp, are
singing in a concert?
MAX Believe me, it will be a performance beyond anything even I've dreamt of.
CAPTAIN Like you, Herr Zeller, I, too, am a man of hidden talents.
MAX Yes, um, here. Program.
Max walks over and hands Zeller the program. Zeller studies it skeptically.
ZELLER It says here only the names of the children.
CAPTAIN It says the Von Trapp Family Singers. And I'm the head of the Von
Trapp family, am I not?
ZELLER And these, um, these travel clothes that you're all wearing?
MARIA Our costumes, naturally.
Maria and the Captain exchange conspiratorial glances. Zeller looks

thoughtful.
ZELLER Well, a slight delay in my orders will not be serious ... therefore,
you will sing. You will all sing. But only because that's the way I want it to
be. It will demonstrate that nothing in Austria has changed. And when you are
finished singing, you, Captain Von Trapp, will be taken to Bremerhaven. Now,
we will escort the Von Trapp Family Singers to the festival.

SCENE VI
AT THE FESTIVAL - LATER THAT EVENING

The huge festival audience, a full house, watches the family who stand center
stage in a large spotlight singing From one side of the stage, Max eyes Nazi sentries
posted around the theater.
The Captain nods to him, then speaks into the mike.
CAPTAIN My fellow ... Austrian I wont see you again, perhaps
for a very long time. I would like to sing a song for you now.
CAPTAIN I know you share this love. I pray that you will never let it die.
CAPTAIN AND THE FAMILY SING

Small and white, clean and bright
MARIA (sings) Small and white, clean...
MARIA AND THE CAPTAIN
... and bright ...
MARIA, THE CAPTAIN AND THE CHILDREN
There is a moment of silence. Max comes out on stage and whispers to the family.
MAX (To the family) I think it'll work. I shall miss all of you. I shall miss the money I
could've made with you.
MAX Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, thank you. This will be the last
opportunity the Von Trapps will have of singing together for a long, long
time. Even now officials are waiting in this auditorium to escort Captain Von
Trapp to his new command in the naval forces of the Third Reich.
The crowd murmurs and grumbles at this.
MAX And so, ladies and gentlemen, the family Von Trapp again ... to bid you
farewell.
The audience applauds. Max blows a kiss to the family. The children line up
behind Maria and the Captain. Music begins.
MARIA (sings)
There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple too
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird
Is popping out to say "cuckoo"
CHILDREN (peeking out from behind their parents, singing) Cuckoo, cuckoo
CAPTAIN:
CHILDREN:
Regretfully they tell us
Cuckoo, cuckoo
But firmly they compel us
Cuckoo, cuckoo
To say goodbye ...
THE FAMILY (sings)
... to you
The Captain salutes and they all form a line across the stage.
THE FAMILY (sings)
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night
KURT AND MARTA (singing)
We hate to go and miss this pretty sight
Kurt and Marta walk off stage and into a shadowy hallway. The rest of the
family waves.
THE FAMILY (sings)
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu
FRIEDRICH AND LIESL (singing)

Adieu, adieu, to yieu and yieu and yieu
Friedrich and Liesl bow, then exit into the hallway. They glance back at the
family nervously.
THE FAMILY (sings)
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
BRIGITTA AND LOUISA (singing)
We flit, we float, we fleetly flee, we fly
Brigitta and Louisa kick their legs back, then dance hurriedly offstage.
THE CAPTAIN, MARIA AND GRETL (singing)
So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye
GRETL (sings)
The sun has gone to bed and so must I
Goodbye!
Maria gives a gentle push to Gretl who exits.
MARIA (sings)
Goodbye!
The Captain puts his arm around Maria.
CAPTAIN (sings)
Goodbye!
MARIA AND THE CAPTAIN (singing)
Goodbye!
Maria and the Captain exit hand in hand as the music comes to an end and the
audience applauds. A woman in a green, feathered hat slips a paper into an
envelope. She hands it to a man who hands it to Max on stage. Max opens it
and walks slowly to the microphone. He picks up the mike and carries it to
center stage.
MAX Ladies and gentlemen, I have here the decision of our distinguished
judges. MAX And the first prize, the highest honor in all Austria, to the Von Trapp
Family Singers!
Max flourishes a hand toward the hallway. A trumpet fanfare. A large round of
applause. The spotlight searches for the Von Trapp family, but they don't
appear. Zeller peers up at Max. As the applause dies out, Max tries again to
summon the family.
MAX The family Von Trapp!
Trumpet fanfare. Applause. But no family Von Trapp appears. Zeller scowls at
Max. Suddenly, Karl comes running into the spotlight and shouts.
ZELLER They're gone!
SCENE VII
AT THE ABBEY - LATER THAT NIGHT
Zeller's patrol reach the Abbey. Uniformed Nazis scramble out. They go storming toward
the Abbey door.
INSIDE THE ABBEY
The Von Trapps confer with the Reverend Mother. The Abbey door bell rings.
MOTHER ABBESS Come with me. Quickly, quickly. I have a place you can hide.
(They all exit.)
ZELLER (impatiently) Open this gate! (voce fuori campo)

Sister Berthe goes to open and smiles serenely.
SISTER BERTHE Good evening.
ZELLER Hurry up, woman!
She continues to smile peacefully, nods, and slowly opens the gate. Zeller
and his squad march in, the soldiers run through the Abbey.
ZELLER Two men in there. Six of you, to the yard. You two, to the corridor.
(They exit)
(The Von Trapp family and Reverend Mother enter)
MARIA Reverend Mother, we didn't realize we'd put the Abbey in this danger.
MOTHER ABBESS No, Maria, it was right for you to come here.
CAPTAIN We thought we might borrow your caretaker's car.
MOTHER ABBESS I'm afraid the borders have just been closed.
CAPTAIN All right, the borders are closed. (looks at the mountains) Then
we'll drive up into the hills and go over those mountains on foot.
MARIA But the children?
CAPTAIN We'll help them. They'll be all right.
FRIEDRICH We can do it without help, Father.
MOTHER ABBESS Maria, you will not be alone. Remember God will be with you all.
MARIA Yes, Mother.
Maria hugs the Reverend Mother.
MARTA I'm scared.
BRIGITTA Me, too.
MOTHER ABBESS God be with you.
She leaves. The family hides in two groups behind the large monuments.
Footsteps. Flashlights appear. Five brown-uniformed soldiers run inside.
ONE OF THE SOLDIERS Come on, let's try the roof.
As they exit, another soldier arrives at the graveyard, climbing some stairs
from another direction. He faces the crypt. It's Rolfe.
Liesl sees him and claps her hand to her mouth -- but too late -- she gasps
and we know Rolfe hears her. Suddenly Rolfe and points his flashlight directly into the
crypt. Everyone freezes. Rolfe swings the beam from Maria to the Captain and Liesl.
LIESL Rolfe, please!
Rolfe stares at Liesl for a moment, then reaches into his pocket for a
whistle.
CAPTAIN Rolfe! Wait!

Rolfe backs away, drawing his pistol.
ROLFE (to the Captain) I-It's you we want. Not them.
CAPTAIN Put that down.
The Captain walks slowly toward Rolfe.
ROLFE Not another move or I'll, I'll shoot!
CAPTAIN You're only a boy.
The Captain stops, then moves closer.
CAPTAIN You don't really belong to them.
ROLFE Stay where you are!
The Captain keeps walking.
CAPTAIN Come away with us ... before it's too late.
ROLFE Not another step. I'll kill you!
Rolfe grows increasingly tense.
CAPTAIN You give that to me, Rolfe.
ROLFE Did you hear me? I'll kill you!
CAPTAIN
Rolfe ...
Rolfe winces painfully -- he can't bring himself to shoot. The Captain stops
only a few feet away. Suddenly, he grabs Rolfe's arm. Holding on to the gun,
the Captain stares into Rolfe's eyes, then gently takes the weapon from his
hand. Rolfe bows his head in shame.
CAPTAIN You'll never be one of them.
Rolfe's eyes flash. He blows his whistle.
ROLFE
Herr Zeller! They're here! They're here, Herr Zeller!
The family drive off.

All exit. Sounds of the Nazi car engines stalling noisily and refusing to start,
Sisters Berthe and Margaretta and the Reverend Mother enter.
SISTER MARGARETTA Reverend Mother, I have sinned.
SISTER BERTHE I, too, Reverend Mother.
MOTHER ABBESS What is this sin, my children?
The two sisters share a guilty glance, then take their hands from the folds
of their garments to reveal several parts from the Nazis' cars: a distributor
cap and some spark plug wires.
FINAL SCENE
CURTAIN
(Tutti fuori dal sipario. Guardano avanti verso lAustria)
MARIA Do you think we will be able to come back one day, Georg?
CAPTAIN
MARIA
Yes, when all this is over, we will come back and live in peace.
We will come back to sing! We are the Von Trapp Family Singers, arent we?
(They hug)
(Song. The Sound of Music???????)
THE END
THE END

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC

"Salzburg, Austria in the last Golden Days of the Thirties"

INT. THE ABBEY - DAY

She waltzes on her way to Mass

MOTHER ABBESS Come here, my child.

MARIA Oh, yes, but seven ... ?

MARIA Yes, Captain. Sir.

CAPTAIN You are the twelfth governesses, who have come to

FRIEDRICH Fraulein Josephine. Four governesses ago.

MARIA Yes, you're Gretl.

MARIA How do you do?

CAPTAIN (mystified) Enchanting little ritual. Something you, uh, learned at

Franz hands the Captain the telegram.

FRANZ A telegram for you, sir.

Rolfe smiles knowingly.They start dancing. (SONG).

I have to go now, good-bye Liesl

INT. MARIA'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT

MARIA New drapes? But these are fine.

MARIA! See what fun it is?

These are a few of my favorite things

LOUISA Can we do this every day?

Let's start at the very beginning

Me, a name I call myself

MARIA AND THE CHILDREN (sing)

The children stand on different levels of an outdoor staircase, hopping up or

CAPTAIN Mm hm. Or perhaps just searching for a reason to stay.

CAPTAIN Ah, heh heh.

CAPTAIN Come here at once!

CAPTAIN (smiles) This is Baroness Schraeder...

SCENEVII (LA MUSICA CONTINUA)

INSIDE THE VILLA

The children back him for the last lines:

CAPTAIN (whispers to the children) Don't go 'way!

Well done, Fraulein.

Maria smiles modestly.

CAPTAIN I really am very, very much impressed.

MAX (laughs) Yours.

THE PARTY - NIGHT

LOUISA You just say that because you're scared of them.

Max drags Maria by the hand.

BARONESS EBBERFELD Captain, you must be very proud of your youngsters.

MARIA Couldn't keep his eyes off me?

MARIA No, nothing.

BARONESS Oh, yes.

KURT Baroness Schraeder, do you mind if we stop now? We're tired.

MAX Liesl, get the guitar. Come on, Marta.

BARONESS Uh, something long and cool, Georg?

LOUISA She didn't even say goodbye.

THE. ABBEY - THAT AFTERNOON

LIESL We -- my brothers and sisters -- we want to see Fraulein Maria.

FRIEDRICH I'm sure she'd like to see us.

MARIA (sits) Well, I -- I was frightened.

VON TRAPP GARDEN. EARLY EVENING

CAPTAIN All afternoon?

Liesl hugs Gretl.

MARIA Caught in what?

MARIA Well, it was wrong of me. Forgive me.

CAPTAIN Oh, my love.

ROLFE It's a telegram from Berlin.

EXT. VON TRAPP VILLA - LATER THAT DAY

CAPTAIN Max ...

CAPTAIN Absolutely out of the question.

The captain exits reading the telegram. Max follows.