Singing her way into millions of young hearts as Mary in “Mary Poppins” and Maria in “The Sound of Music,” Julie Andrews has been many children’s first conception of a movie star. Her films are commonly among the first encountered by children, and her disarming persona and four-octave voice make the movies and their star unforgettable.
And though the role of Mary Poppins (for which she won the best actress Academy Award in 1964) and the role of Maria made her a movie star, her work since then has more than maintained her venerability.
Andrews’ recent credits include “Princess Diaries” and a voice-acting role in “Shrek the Third,” which opens today.
Andrews is also the author of children’s books such as “Mandy” and “The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles.” She came again this year to the UCLA campus for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books to sign “Thanks to You: Wisdom from Mother & Child,” her latest book, which she cowrote with her daughter.
In an interview with Andrews, Daily Bruin staff writer Amy Crocker found out what she thinks of her famous roles, how she feels about being called a “celebrity author,” and a few of her favorite things.
Daily Bruin: Do you feel you have the monopoly on the family movie genre?
Julie Andrews: I don’t think I’ve got it all sewn up. I think it’s just the way my career has gone. … I consider myself an actress (and I’ve made other, smaller films). They just weren’t as successful as those big family movies. (But) the nice part about it is that those kind of movies are inclined to stick around.
DB: Which of your iconic roles do children most recognize you for?
JA: I think it’s the body of work these days. Those films have been around such a long time. In the early days it used to be “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music.” These days it’s probably more “Princess Diaries” and “Shrek” and things like that. I think it’s their parents that probably recognize the older movies faster. The thing that gets me in the best with my grandkids is movies like “Shrek” and “Princess Diaries.” “Oh, Grandma’s in Shrek!” And “Victor Victoria” is in there, too.
DB: When you were making “Mary Poppins” and “Sound of Music” back to back, did you worry about being typecast as a singing governess?
JA: I always choose as many different roles as possible. When you’re beginning in a business or career it’s not like scripts are being thrown at you everyday. … I sit back a great deal sometimes and say, “My God, what a lucky lady,” because I was asked to do those roles. I’m an actress and I get such lovely movies, how lucky can a girl be?
DB: Do you watch your films often?
JA: Not very often, but occasionally I might stumble across one.
DB: How do you feel when you catch one of your films? Are you critical of your performance or impressed?
JA: Oh you feel a number of things; sometimes you’re just grateful that you did it, sometimes you wish they weren’t showing that particular one. … You think, “I wish I’d done something better” or “You know, for my age that wasn’t so bad” or “How did I know to do that?” So sometimes it’s little bit of both.
DB: Because you are so widely known, are you recognized often in public?
JA: Oddly enough, people recognize me for my speaking voice more than everything else. I could go into a crowd and be fine until I happened to open my mouth. I think the accent just gives me away.
DB: Do you mind being recognized?
JA: I think it’s not as easy when the people catch you at the airport (but) when I’m somewhere for an event I’m very, very happy to sign (my books) and I love meeting people.
DB: As a children’s author, you use the name “Julie Andrews Edwards.” Do people make the connection between the author and the actress?
JA: Sometimes they may not. I try to publicize the connection. There’s a photograph that goes with the book.
DB: Why did you decide to use the name “Edwards?”
JA: It was Blake Edwards, my husband, who had so encouraged me on the very first book I ever wrote. He’s a fine writer himself and when I began writing, I was very green and I wasn’t sure I could do it. (He told me to) keep the pages coming and just keep writing and you can always go back and correct later. … I was just so grateful to him that he made me do it because I got such pleasure from it that I used my married name.
DB: Do you mind when people mix your careers and ask you about your films at book signings?
JA: The only thing I really mind is if people refer to me as a celebrity author in a somewhat derogatory way, because I feel that I’ve been writing for 30 years and if anything I was one of the first celebrity authors. That is the only part of (my) celebrity I mind at all. I really don’t mind them mixing my careers.
DB: What similarities have you noticed between your films and your children’s books?
JA: The daughter that I write with said something lovely. She said, “Mum, it’s another way of using your voice,” and that resonated with me. It’s two different ways, but they are both using a voice so to speak. … We try to create quality books that really give children a sense of the wonder of nature and the world around them. It’s very flattering when a child loves this book or that book or says that your book inspired me to read.
DB: When you were signing books at the Festival of Books, people asked you to sing. Which song do people request most?
JA: “Sound of Music” itself is probably one of the ones that gets asked for the most; “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” too, and things like that.
DB: Do you have a favorite?
JA: There are just so many … that it’s hard to say on any given day, but I’m trying to think. Truthfully there are such beautiful songs that aren’t particularly well known. (But) certainly things like “My Favorite Things” and “Sound of Music” are beautiful, beautiful melodies and they are uplifting to sing as well as ““ I hope ““ to watch.
DB: Do you often reminisce about your famous roles?
JA: I am an actress, and so although there’s always that lovely connection, it’s nothing that I recreate for myself time and time again. … I don’t run over the hills and sing.