Multiple Characters quotes

View Quote Frau Schmidt: The von Trapp children don't play. They march. He runs this house as if he were on one of his ships again - whistles, orders, no more music, no more laughing. Nothing that reminds him of her, even the children.

View Quote Liesl: I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old and I don't need a governess.

View Quote Kurt: Only grown-up men are scared of women.

View Quote Kurt: I haven't had so much fun since the day we put glue on Fräulein Josephine's toothbrush.

View Quote Elsa: [after seeing the Captain dance with Maria] Oh, that was beautifully done. What a lovely couple you make.

View Quote Sister Margaretta: [to the Reverend Mother, about Maria] She doesn't say a word, Reverend Mother, except in prayer...It's strange. She seems happy to be back here, and yet she's unhappy too.

View Quote Zeller: [about the Captain] When he does return, he will be expected to fill his proper position in the new order.

View Quote Rolfe: [rebuffing Liesl] We make it our business to know everything about everyone. I'm now occupied with more important matters. And your father better be too if he knows what's good for him.

View Quote Max: I like rich people. I like the way they live. I like the way I live when I'm with them.

View Quote Max: The festival competition has come to its conclusion, except of course we don't know yet what that conclusion will be. And while the judges are arriving at their decision, I have been given permission to offer you an encore. This will be the last opportunity the von Trapps will have of singing together for a long, long time. Even now, officials are waiting in this auditorium to escort Captain von Trapp to his new command in the naval forces of the Third Reich. [The crowd murmurs in reaction.] And so, ladies and gentlemen, the Family von Trapp again to bid you farewell.

View Quote Gretl: I've got a sore finger.

View Quote Liesl: [after Rolfe kisses her] Wheeeeeee!

View Quote Maria: I just couldn't help myself. The gates were open and the hills were beckoning...I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel.
Reverend Mother: : Some people would call that honesty.
Maria: Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother.

View Quote Captain: It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.
Maria: But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor.
Captain: What about this one?
Maria: The poor didn't want this one.

View Quote Captain: You, Fraulein, will listen carefully. Learn their signals so that you can call them when you want them. Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear. [Blows whistle]
Maria: Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children, and definitely not for me. It would be... too humiliating.
Captain: Fraulein, were you this much trouble at the Abbey?
Maria: Oh, much more, sir.
Captain: Hmm.
[Starts to leave the room when Maria blows the whistle. He looks back at her]
Maria: Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.

View Quote Rolfe: [singing] You are sixteen, going on seventeen, baby it's time to think.
Better beware, be canny and careful, baby you're on the brink.
You are sixteen, going on seventeen, fellows will fall in line...
Totally unprepared are you, to face a world of men.
Timid and shy and scared are you, of things beyond your ken.
You need someone older and wiser, telling you what to do.
I am seventeen, going on eighteen. I'll take care of you...
Liesl: [singing] I am sixteen, going on seventeen. I know that I'm naive.
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet, and willingly I believe.
I am sixteen, going on seventeen, innocent as a rose...
Totally unprepared am I, to face a world of men.
Timid and shy and scared am I, of things beyond my ken.
I need someone older and wiser telling me what to do.
You are seventeen, going on eighteen. I'll depend on you.

View Quote Captain: Fraulein Maria, did I not say that bedtime is to be strictly observed in this household?
Maria: Yes, well the children were scared of the thunderstorm and... You did, sir.
Captain: And do you or do you not have trouble following these simple instructions?
Maria: Only during thunderstorms.

View Quote Liesl: How else are we supposed to get Father's attention?
Brigitta: Yes.
Maria: Well, we'll have to think about that one.

View Quote Max: Have you made up Georg's mind yet? Do I hear wedding bells?
Elsa: Pealing madly.
Max: Marvelous.
Elsa: But not necessarily for me.
Max: What kind of talk's that?
Elsa: That is none of your business talk, Max. I am terribly fond of Georg and I will not have you toying with us.
Max: But I am a child. I like toys, so tell me everything. Oh come on, tell Max every teensy, weensy, intimate disgusting detail.
Elsa: Well, let's just say I have a feeling I may be here on approval.
Max: Well, I approve of that. How can you miss?
Elsa: Far too easily.
Max: If I know you, darling, and I do, you will find a way.
Elsa: Oh, he's no ordinary man.
Max: No, he's rich!
Elsa: When his wife died, she left him with a terrible heartache.
Max: And when your husband died, he left you with a terrible fortune.
Elsa: Oh, Max, you really are a beast.
Max: You and Georg are like family to me. That's why I want to see you two get married. We must keep all that lovely money in the family.

View Quote Marta: Why don't we ever get to see the baroness?
Kurt: Why would she want to see you?

View Quote Marta: Can we really keep the puppet show Uncle Max?
Max: Of course. Why else do you think I sent the bill to your father?
Captain: Ah Max, you are funny. Expensive, but very funny.

View Quote [After Rolfe delivers a telegram and gives the Nazi salute]
Elsa: Oh Georg, he's just a boy.
Captain: Yes, and I'm just an Austrian.
Max: What's gonna happen's gonna happen. Just make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Captain: [incensed] Max, don't you ever say that again!
Max: You know I have no political convictions. Can I help it if other people do?
Captain: Oh yes you can help it. You must help it.

View Quote Maria: Gretl, what happened to your finger?
Gretl: It got caught.
Maria: Caught in what?
Gretl: Friedrich's teeth.

View Quote Captain: Is it possible, or could I have just imagined? Have my children by any chance been climbing trees today?
Maria: Yes, Captain.
Captain: I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these, uhm, these...
Maria: Playclothes.
Captain: Oh, is that what you call them?
Maria: I made them, from the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom...They still had plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them.
Captain: Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but some old drapes?!
Maria: Umm, hmm, and having a marvelous time.
Captain: They have uniforms.
Maria: Straitjackets, if you'll forgive me.
Captain: I will not forgive you for that.
Maria: Children cannot do all the things they're supposed to do if they have to worry about spoiling their precious clothes they wear....Well, they wouldn't dare. They love you too much. They fear you too much.
Captain: I don't wish you to discuss my children in this manner.
Maria: Well, you've got to hear it from someone. You're never home long enough to know them.
Captain: I said I don't want to hear any more from you about my children.
Maria: I know you don't, but you've got to! Oh please, Captain, love them, love them all.
Captain: Enough!.
Maria: But I'm not finished!
Captain:[yelling] Oh yes you are, Captain! (corrects himself) Fraulein.
Captain: [after listening to his children sing, and joining in] You've brought music back into the house? Fraulein, I want you to stay. I ask you to stay.

View Quote Elsa: My dear, is there anything you can't do?
Maria: Well, I'm not sure I'll make a very good nun.
Elsa: Oh, if you have any problems, I'd be happy to help you.

View Quote Max: The Von Trapp Family Singers. Here your names: Leisl, Friedrich, Louisa, Brigitta, Kurt, Marta and Gretl.
Gretl: Why am I always last?
Max: Because you are the most important.

View Quote Baron: Is there a more beautiful expression of what is good in this country of ours than the innocent voices of our children?
Zeller: Oh, come now, Baron, would you have us believe that Austria alone holds a monopoly on virtue?
Captain: Herr Zeller, some of us prefer Austrian voices raised in song to ugly, German threats.
Zeller: The ostrich buries his head in the sand, and sometimes in the flag. [He turns toward the Austrian flag, prominently displayed] Perhaps those who would warn you that the Anschluss is coming - and it is coming, Captain - perhaps they would get further with you by setting their words to music.
Captain: If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section.
Zeller: You flatter me, Captain.
Captain: Oh, how clumsy of me. I meant to accuse you.

View Quote Elsa: Now, where is that lovely little thing you were wearing the other evening, when the Captain couldn't keep his eyes off you.
Maria: Couldn't keep his eyes off me?
Elsa: Come, my dear, we are women. Let's not pretend we don't know when a man notices us...
Maria: The Captain notices everybody and everything.
Elsa: Well, there's no need to feel so defensive, Maria. You are quite attractive, you know. The Captain would hardly be a man if he didn't notice you.
Maria: Baroness, I hope you're joking.
Elsa: Not at all.
Maria: But I've never done a thing to...
Elsa: But you don't have to, Maria. There's nothing more irresistible to a man than a woman who's in love with him.
Maria: 'In love with him'?
Elsa: Of course. What makes it so nice is he thinks he's in love with you.
Maria: But that's not true.
Elsa: Oh surely you've noticed the way he looks into your eyes. And you know, uh, you blushed in his arms when you were dancing just now. Don't take it to heart. He'll get over it soon enough, I should think. Men do, you know.
Maria: Then I should go. I mustn't stay here.
Elsa: I'm sure you'll make a very fine nun.

View Quote Louisa: I don't believe it, father...about Fraulein Maria.
Captain: She missed her life at the Abbey too much. She had to leave us - and that's all there is to it.
Gretl: Who is our new governess going to be?
Captain: Well, you're not going to have a governess anymore...You're going to have a new mother...We talked about it last night. It's all settled. And we're all going to be very happy.

View Quote Maria: I left...I was frightened...I was confused, I felt, I've never felt that way before. I couldn't stay. I knew that here I'd be away from it. I'd be safe...I can't face him again...Oh, there were times when we would look at each other. Oh Mother, I could hardly breathe...That's what's been torturing me. I was there on God's errand. To have asked for his love would have been wrong. I couldn't stay, I just couldn't. I'm ready at this moment to take my vows. Please help me.
Reverend Mother: Maria, the love of a man and a woman is holy too. You have a great capacity to love. What you must find out is how God wants you to spend your love.
Maria: But I pledged my life to God. I pledged my life to his service.
Reverend Mother: My daughter, if you love this man, it doesn't mean you love God less. No, you must find out and you must go back.
Maria: Oh, Mother, you can't ask me to do that. Please let me stay, I beg of you.
Reverend Mother: Maria, these walls were not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.

View Quote Captain: You left without saying goodbye, even to the children.
Maria: It was wrong of me, forgive me.
Captain: Why did you?
Maria: Please don't ask me. Anyway, the reason no longer exists.
Elsa: [entering the room] Fraulein Maria, you've returned. Isn't it wonderful, Georg?
Maria: May I wish you every happiness, Baroness? And you too, Captain. The children tell me you're to be married.
Elsa: Thank you, my dear.
Captain: You are back to, uh, stay?
Maria: Only until arrangements can be made for another governess.

View Quote Captain: It's no use, you and I. I'm being dishonest to both of us and utterly unfair to you. When two people talk of marriage...
Elsa: No, don't, don't say another word, Georg, please? You see, uh, there are other things I've been thinking of. Fond as I am of you, I really don't think you're the right man for me. You're much too independent and I need someone who needs me desperately, or at least needs my money desperately. I've enjoyed every moment we've had together. I do thank you for that. Now, if you'll forgive me, I'll go inside, pack my little bags, and return to Vienna where I belong. And somewhere out there is a young lady who I think will never be a nun. Auf Wiedersehen, darling.

View Quote Maria: [singing] Perhaps I had a wicked childhood, perhaps I had a miserable youth.
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past, there must have been a moment of truth.
For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
Captain: [singing] For here you are standing there loving me, whether or not you should.
Maria: [singing] So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
Captain & Maria: '[singing] Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could
Maria: [singing] So somewhere in my youth...
Captain: [singing] or childhood,
Maria: [singing] I must have done something,
Captain & Maria: [singing] something good.

View Quote Max: [regarding the Nazis] He's got to at least pretend to work with these people. You must convince him.
Maria: I can't ask him to be less than he is.

View Quote Max: I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I'm making.
Captain: You have no choice.
Max: I know... That's why I'm making it.

View Quote Liesl: What happens when a person stops loving you?
Maria: You cry a little and then you wait for the sun to come out. It always does.

View Quote Zeller: I've not asked you where you and your family are going. Nor have you asked me why I am here.
Captain: Well, apparently, we're both suffering from a deplorable lack of curiosity.

View Quote Sister Margaretta: Reverend Mother, I have sinned.
Sister Berthe: I, too, Reverend Mother.
Reverend Mother: What is this sin, my children?
[the nuns look at each other, then reveal from under their robes the distributor and coil they have removed from the Germans' cars]