AYA * Julie Andrew’s most successful
films are to this day watched and loved by children and adults. The actress who personified
an airy, wholesome and squeaky clean image, found it difficult to step out of this mold. But that
did not stop her from starring in various types of films. Dame Julie Andrews serves as a great
example of a musical hero.* AYA
Growing up with a pianist mother and singer step father, Julie was musical since
early childhood. She was a natural. Her childhood was very poor. The family kept relocating to
different decrepit areas around London and Surrey to survive. Although her stepfather was a raging
alcoholic, his connections in the arts world got the young Julie singing lessons. Simultaneously
Julie and her parents toured Britain singing to World War 2 troops. She was around ten years old.
AYA By her teens, she was doing London
shows, events and radio in which she had to sing in. And by her late teens she was performing
on the West End in shows like Aladdin, Humpty Dumpty, Jack And The Beanstalk and Cinderella.
Thanks to her parents in pushing her to early stage success and her undeniable talent,
eventually brought her an opportunity to appear on Broadway the day before her 19th birthday in 1954.
AYA The Boyfriend was her debut. And
soon after Andrews got the part of Eliza Doolittle in the Broadway production of My Fair Lady.
In 1957 Andrews was nominated for an Emmy for her performance for a live tv version of Cinderella.
(MORE) AYA (CONT'D) This culminated
in Andrews appearing on tv regularly. AYA
In 1960 Julie, now 25, appeared in the period musical called Camelot.
When the film version of My Fair Lady was in the casting process Julie was overlooked
as an option to reprise the famous character but now on screen. Julie was only known in
the theatre world and was unknown in Hollywood. So Audrey Hepburn was cast.
AYA * But this quickly changed when
Walt Disney approached Andrews to star in Mary Poppins. Julie was hesitant to take on this job
because she was due to give birth and still had her hopes up for the film role of Eliza Doolittle.
Disney reassured her that “we will wait for you.” Clearly he really wanted Julie to be the star.
Andrews eventually took on this debut role of Mary Poppins in 1964. This film obviously became
a major hit. The 60’s brought back the trend of musicals and Andrews was the trailblazer of this
resurgence of film musicals. The financial and audience success of this film got Andrews many
awards. A Golden Globe, A Grammy, A Bafta, A Laurel and off course the Best Actress Oscar.*
AYA Andrews career flourished after
this and she starred in more major movie successes like The Americanization Of Emily, The Sound Of
Music, Torn Curtain and Thoroughly Modern Millie. AYA
But by the end of the 60’s her reputation as a film actress went downhill after
appearing in two flops: Star! and Darling Lili. 2.
AYA Julie focused more on TV shows and
variety shows that featured her as a host during the 70’s.
Only appearing in two other films The Tamarind Seed and 10. These roles were Andrews indication
that she wanted to play more provocative roles than her previous goody two shoes ones.
And with the help of her second husband Blake Edwards, they shot films together all the time
and framed Andrews as a more sophisticated and darker type of character on screen.
AYA In 1982, she starred in Victor
Victoria, Thats life! and Duet for One, both in 86. All successful.
AYA The 90s consisted once again with
tv appearances. AYA
And in the early 2000’s Andrews revived her film career in light
hearted children's and teen films like Princess Diaries, Shrek and Despicable Me to name a few.
Julie Andrews was born to play in lighthearted things aimed at kids and teens.
AYA * Julie Andrew’s presence on screen
is one of class, purity and simplicity. Her crystal clear voice and bright character
always brings luminosity in all of her films. With a career in show business
spanning since her childhood, Julie is a veteran on film, stage and TV. Someone who
preferred to sing songs that were bright and sunny, I think these two words describe her
perfectly.* 3.