Anders Says
- a testament of my life with Dame Julie Andrews
My Stories - Intro
A*I*B PR Team - Pro Julie Andrews
Members: Andrew, Ian and Bertie (Anders, Jan, Bert - Sweden)
Mission: To promote the work of Julie Andrews
After having been to Norway and meeting Julie for the fist time, I started "A*I*B - pro Julie Andrews" a group of 3 guys, set to make other people aware of the many talents our lady possesses. We started out by promoting the many re-runs of 'The Sound of Music' in our local city of Gothenburg. We also got a chance to contribute some money to aid the building of the new Opera House in Gothenburg. In doing so, we received a 'diploma' and a gilded plaque, that now sits on the wall in the foyer of the Opera House, along with thousands of others.
Opening Night of 'Victor/Victoria'
On the night we served up 12 litres of sparkling cider which was much appreciated, as it was a warm summer's evening. The film was a big success and SF (Swedish Film distributers) decided, yet again, to re-release 'The Sound of Music' (1982) and their ad in the papers said - 'Make sure you see Julie Andrews in two of her best roles'. Mission achieved! Listen to 'Crazy World'
Our story with 'V/V' continues with travelling well outside our territory to see the film, finally ending up in Stockholm (our capital). I had by then seen the film 69 times and Bertie only 40 - all in under 13 weeks! Once again the press wrote about us - 'They've seen the same film 109 times!' (and no, I've never been certified)
Various Press and Promotions
Over the years I've managed to get the papers and magazines interested in writing about Julie and in the process myself. I am normally a very private and quiet person (and now in my mid 50s I'm still a shy person) but promoting Julie's work made me feel like I was on a crusade - nothing could stop me!
Anders - mad about Julie
Anders trying to escape from 'Mary's' carpet bag / Yen Weng Soon pays us a visit
Anders and Bertie, handing out 'sparkling cider' to the moviegoers. The press wrote: 'Almost like a celebrity opening'.
'Sound of Music' celebrates 30 years
Scene: A major cinema in central London, England in 1995
People: Charmian Carr, Anders, Jean and Jenny
We went to the 30th Anniversary of 'SOM' hoping to find Julie there but she was nowhere to be seen. After having spotted 'Liesl' - Charmian Carr - we had a brief chat with her and she posed with us for a photograph. She was very friendly but she soon realised that we were 'hard core' Julie fans.
As we sat down to see the film that the audience reaction to it was 'varied'. There were laughs where there never had been ones before. One was the Baroness saying 'something long and sleek'.. I've no idea what they were laughing about.
A visit to Walton-upon-Thames
Scene: Walton-upon-Thames, Julie's place of birth, in the 1980's
People: Fans from England and Holland
On a day out we met up in London to take the train down to Walton-upon-Thames, to seek out Julie's house (not sure if it was her mother's or father's house or just the one she grew up in). Anyway, the house was surrounded by high fencing so we didn't see much. Instead we made our way to a pub for some refreshments and that is all I can recall of the event.
At home with Anders
