Anders Says
- a testament of my life with Dame Julie Andrews
My Stories - 3
Anders, Richard and Ernesto.
'The Hills are Alive!',
BBC documentary, 1995
The BBC asked us (the fans), if we wanted to partcipate in an extended documentary about 'The Sound of Music' and the impact it had on its audience. We gladly assisted, as did Robert Wise, Saul Chaplin and the '7 children' (well, 3 of them).
Jean and Jenny, remembering how they first fell in love with Julie Andrews and the movie.
We would like to thank Nick Jones for letting us participate in this programme. We do feel it is a shame that neither Julie nor Christopher were able to participate - maybe next time?
'I've been in love with her, ever since I saw her on the hill'.
The Musical World of Cameron Macintoch
'Hey, Mr Producer'!, 1998
This is THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW that I have ever seen. The musical numbers are out of this world and the cast list is breath taking. It was only on for 2 nights - I went on the 'cheap' night as prices doubled for the night the Queen attended. Julie didn't sing, but made a couple of appearances on stage - most memorable at the end of 'My Fair Lady', to thunderous applauce.
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Before the show we went to the stage door in the hope of spotting Julie - no such luck, but we got a very stressed Cameron to sign the programme for us. 'Loverly'
Cameron Macintoch, Queen Elizabeth II, Colm Wilkinson, Ellen Greene, Michael Ball and our Julie.
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'Open House' with Gloria Hunniford, 20th of June 2000
Gloria and Anders after the show.
In the summer of 2000, we were so pleased that Julie became a Dame and appeared on 'Open House', for Channel 5 in a live broadcast - and we were there on both occasions! Gloria wanted to surprise Julie with a large section of the programme dedicated to the participation of us fans. We had the first rows of the TV studio reserved just for us and we had also been filming at 'The Singalong-a-Sound of Music' that was to feature in the program. Julie really looked radiant on the show.
Outdoor queue: Jack, Kevin, Carla, Val - Jenny, Jean, Richard, Brian + others.
Bottom left: Julie watches as my interview from the 'Singalong' is shown. Bottom right: Jean, Jenny and myself enter the fancy dress competition. Neither of us won - a goat did - that's what I've heard.
The show was joined by presenter Graham Norton who led us all in singing 'Do-Re-Mi' and then the audience got to ask Julie questions (they were all vetted beforehand), mine was 'Is James Garner really a good kisser'? Karen Dotrice (Jane in 'Mary Poppins') called from the States and she and Julie had a friendly chat. Thank you Gloria for making this happen. View the program here.
Graham Norton, Julie, Tony Adams.
Graham Norton, Charlotte Church, Julie Andrews and Gloria Hunniford.
Dame Julie Andrews, 2000
Julie Andrews sets out from the Dorchester, to get to Buckingham Palace and the Investiture.
May 16th, 2000 - day of the investiture
This must have been one of Julie's proudest moments - to be recognized by her country. We - the fans and the media - stood by the West gates awaiting Julie to arrive. First to arrive was another screen icon - Dame Elizabeth Taylor, then came Julie. As we were not allowed into the palace (why not?) we waved our flags and posters and gave interviews to Royal correspondent Jenny Bond and NBC (USA). At one stage Tony Adams came up and looked at my - oh, so homemade - poster.
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View our tribute here - Dame Julie's Investiture.
Heather in the safe hands of Jean, Anders and Jenny Bond.
Group photo of the fans.
Jean and Anders with the Union Jack.
Julie also shared this moment with her daughter Emma.
Jenny - waving the flag.
Dame Julie said - 'This is the greatest honour of my life. I didn't think I was eligible as I've lived in America for such a long time, but I've always felt that I've taken my Britishness with me'
'Relative Values', 21st of June 2000
Julie returned to the UK and the Isle of Man to film Noel Coward's 'Relative Values'. It is quite an excellent ensamble piece with Colin Firth, Stephen Fry, Sophie Thomson and Julie as the main British cast.
The fans are gathering at Leicester Square, London for the UK opening of 'Relative Values'. Jean, Marc, Val, Jenny, Marie-Jeanne, your name, please and far right the incomparable Carla. Julie, Stephen and Sophie attended the opening along with director Eric Styles. The London Premiere and Party.
Excitement didn't end there. We were also invited to the after party, held at 'The National Portrait Gallery'. Most of us got a chance to have a brief chat with Julie. I can't remember what we talked about - I just remember looking into those beautiful blue eyes and having one of my 'blissful moments'. I did hold Julie's hand too long, so she had to retract her hand - so sorry about that Julie.
At the party - Marie Jeanne, Marc, Stuart, Pamela, Val, Jenny and Kevin.