As she did for my first memoir, Francine Taylor, another dear friend and longtime assistant, spent hundreds of hours without complaint transcribing the interviews that Emma and I recorded together, even when the audio was interrupted by dogs barking, doorbells ringing, and vacuum cleaners humming. Her occasional witty inserts into the transcripts always made us smile.
Julie Colbert, our agent at William Morris Endeavor, has been our champion throughout this project and beyond. Her constant support and gentle nudges of encouragement kept us going, and her sense of humor and clear judgment continue to refresh and inspire us.
Thanks must also go to other cherished members of my superb team, Ginny Davis and Christine Jardine, who have been with me for decades and who supplied data from archives, pulled materials out of storage, and held the fort for me in every way.
The vast majority of the photographs in this book were taken by my close friend Zoë Dominic. When she passed away, she transferred the rights to her work to her devoted friend, assistant, and photography colleague, Catherine Ashmore. Thank you, dear Catherine, for your profound generosity in providing us with the photographs contained in this book, and for seeming to drop everything at a moment’s notice to hunt for a specific image whenever we asked.
So many people helped with research for this book: Ted Chapin, president and chief creative officer of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and Kevin Kern, Brian Sibley, and Edward Ovalle at Disney Archives all provided valuable materials and information regarding Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.
Tony Walton, my former spouse and Emma’s father, generously shared his datebooks and his memories (apologies, Tone, for the diary that went missing in a taxicab!). Tony and his loving wife, Gen LeRoy Walton, have been encouraging throughout, in spite of my sharing some personal stories that must have been painful to revisit. Tony’s sisters, Jen Gosney and Carol Hall, were also helpful in supplying memories and research materials. Emma and I thank you all, and love you dearly.
Needless to say, our entire family has contributed so much to this book, and their patience alone deserves our most profound thanks. Jennifer, Geoffrey, Amelia, and Joanna came to the rescue when our memories failed us, and gamely allowed us to reveal family stories, as did my brothers, John Wells and Donald Andrews, and my half sister, Celia (Shad) Day. My niece, Jessica Andrews, could not have been more supportive in giving her blessing to my revealing some painful truths about her beloved dad, my brother Chris, who sadly passed away several years ago.
An extra hug goes with gratitude to Emma’s husband, Steve Hamilton. This mother-in-law deeply appreciates your patience, guidance, and tact—not to mention the many superb meals and the shared laughter. Thanks, also, to Steve and Emma’s children, Sam and Hope. Sam’s computer skills often saved the day, as did his good eye, which helped us see little things we might never have spotted. Despite the frequent inconvenience of having Mum and Granny working such long and focused hours, Hope made her own contribution to the book by remaining patient, respectful, and resourceful throughout, knowing how much it mattered.
Emma and I extend heartfelt thanks to all at Hachette Books who have helped produce this memoir, including Michelle Aielli, Michael Barrs, John Colucci, Sarah Falter, Anthony Goff, Amanda Kain, David Lamb, Tom Louie, Michele McGonigle, Monica Oluwek, Adam Schnitzer, Cisca Schreefel, and Rick Willett, as well as Alan Samson, Maura Wilding, and Simon Wright at Orion Publishing Group in the UK, and the wonderful Cynthia Daniels and her team at Monk Music Studios for the audiobook version.
Finally, between 1963 and 1986, the years that this book encompasses, there were so many people who touched our lives. Many of them are mentioned in the book, but to have referenced them all would have made it twice the length. That said, I would like to acknowledge a few who are not referred to by name but who nevertheless played an important role in our lives during those nearly three decades:
Richard Adams
Jack Bear
Peter Bratschi
Trish Caroselli
Junius Covington
Joe Cranzano
Nicole David
Carrie Dietrich
Hedi Donizetti
Dorothy Drake
Jackie Fabitore
Judee Fraser
Linda Friedman
Setzi Ganev
Paul Glass
Jamie Gosney
Dwight Hemion
Leoni Hürlimann
Lynni Hutton
Mike Kaplan
Chris “QP” King
Buz Kohan
Kim LeMasters
Audrey Loggia
Walter Ludi
Arlene Ludwig
Ginny Mancini
Stan Marin
Michael Oliver
D.W. Owen
Patricia Poirier
Mary Prappas
Theodor Romang
Richard Rosenberg
Sol Rosenthal
Gene Schwam
Gary Smith
Jack Stevens and Reg Allen
Syri Stoll
Rosemary Taylor
The family Von Siebenthal
Bob Wells
Ken and Mitzi Welsh
Michael Wolf
Susan Wolf
JA & EWH
Sag Harbor, 2019
Discover Your Next Great Read
Get sneak peeks, book recommendations, and news about your favorite authors.
Tap here to learn more.
Photos
Rehearsing with Dick Van Dyke at The Walt Disney Studios for the “Jolly Holiday” sequence in Mary Poppins. ©Disney​
Enjoying tea with Walt Disney while doing publicity for Mary Poppins. ©Disney
With Tony and Emma, not long after we first arrived in Los Angeles. Julie Andrews Family Collection
A tough day at work with James Garner filming The Americanization of Emily. Licensed by: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
L to R: Me, Saul Chaplin, Robert Wise, Marc Breaux, Ted McCord, and The Sound of Music camera crew in Salzburg, while shooting “I Have Confidence.” © Zoë Dominic
With my sweet von Trapp family, taking a break on location in Salzburg. The Sound of Music © 1965 Twentieth Century Fox. All rights reserved.
Between takes with Chris Plummer on The Sound of Music set. Duane Chase had presented me with a bunch of dandelions! © Zoë Dominic
It was always special when Emma came to visit me on the set each day. © Zoë Dominic
Having fun with my chum Carol Burnett at Lincoln Center in 1971, during taping of “Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie.” Michael Ochs / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Doing some sightseeing in New York City with Auntie Joan. Julie Andrews Family Collection
With Max von Sydow and George Roy Hill on the set of Hawaii in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Courtesy of MGM Media Licensing.
Cutting up with Paul Newman on the set of Torn Curtain. Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC.
A thoroughly modern threesome: Mary Tyler Moore, me, and Carol Channing during Thoroughly Modern Millie. Courtesy of Universal Studios Licensing LLC.
As Pierrot, in my dressing room, waiting to be summoned to the set for Star! © Zoë Dominic
I’ve always loved the freedom of recording in a studio. It allows me to concentrate solely on the music and lyrics. Michael Ochs / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
A private moment with Blake on location during Darling Lili. © Zoë Dominic
Taking Emma to visit the stables at Carton House in Ireland, happy for our umbrellas and Wellington boots. © Zoë Dominic
With my dear dad, on one of his visits to Carton House while we were filming Darling Lili. © Zoë Dominic
One of my favorite photos of Blake and me, taken by my dear friend Zöe Dominic in London, circa 1976. © Zoë Dominic
Giving Jenny her first copy of Mandy, t
he book I wrote for her. Wally Fong/Shutterstock.com
Taking a walk through the snow on our first visit to Gstaad, Switzerland. © Zoë Dominic
With Jenny and Geoff in Gstaad, reenacting Sleeping Beauty in our long johns! Julie Andrews Family Collection
Getting a bear hug from Geoff in Gstaad. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Blake’s and my wedding in the garden of the Hidden Valley house, November 12, 1969. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Rehearsing with André Previn for the Christmas Concert at the Albert Hall in London, 1973. © Zoë Dominic
On the set of The Julie Andrews Hour, my television series. © American Broadcast Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Relaxing with the brilliant and adorable Dudley Moore while filming 10. © Zoë Dominic
With Omar Sharif and Blake on location in Barbados for The Tamarind Seed. © John Jay / mptvimages.com
Theadora Van Runkle’s famous red dress in S.O.B. Licensed by Warner Bros. Enter-tainment Inc. All Rights reserved.
Riding a golf cart to the studio commissary with Richard Mulligan and Blake during S.O.B. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Performing at the Budokan arena in Tokyo, Japan, 1977. © Zoë Dominic
Playing with Amelia on our balcony in Switzerland. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Cuddling Joanna by the beach in Malibu. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Making friends on the street in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, while traveling with Operation California, now known as Operation USA. Julie Andrews Family Collection
With Blake in my “Victoria” costume on the set of Victor/Victoria at Pinewood Studios in London. © Zoë Dominic
As “Victor,” with James Garner, just before the first kiss in Victor/Victoria. Licensed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
Me and the other “guys”—Robert Preston, Tony Adams, and Blake—on the set of Victor/Victoria. Licensed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
A family portrait we took as a birthday gift for Blake. Standing, L to R: Amelia, Geoff, Emma. Seated on the grass, L to R: Joanna, Jennifer. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Our That’s Life! family, L to R: Jenny, Jack Lemmon, me, Emma, Chris Lemmon. Julie Andrews Family Collection
Loving the music while in performance at the London Palladium, 1976. © Zoë Dominic
ALSO BY JULIE ANDREWS
Mandy
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
Little Bo—The Story of Bonnie Boadicea
Little Bo in France—The Further Adventures of Bonnie Boadicea
Home: A Memoir of My Early Years
BY JULIE ANDREWS AND EMMA WALTON HAMILTON
Dumpy the Dump Truck
Dumpy at School
Dumpy Saves Christmas
Dumpy and the Firefighters
Dumpy’s Happy Holiday
Dumpy and His Pals
Dumpy’s Friends on the Farm
Dumpy’s Apple Shop
Dumpy’s Valentine
Dumpy to the Rescue!
Dumpy’s Extra Busy Day
Simeon’s Gift
Dragon: Hound of Honor
The Great American Mousical
Thanks to You—Wisdom from Mother and Child
The Very Fairy Princess
The Very Fairy Princess: A Fairy Merry Christmas
The Very Fairy Princess Takes the Stage
The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!
The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart
The Very Fairy Princess: Teacher’s Pet
The Very Fairy Princess: Sparkles in the Snow
The Very Fairy Princess: Graduation Girl!
The Very Fairy Princess: A Spooky, Sparkly Halloween
The Very Fairy Princess: Attitude of Gratitude
The Very Fairy Princess Doodle Book
Little Bo in Italy
Little Bo in London
Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Julie Andrews’ Treasury for All Seasons:
Poems and Songs to Celebrate the Year
BY EMMA WALTON HAMILTON
Raising Bookworms:
Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment