Eleanor Parker as The Baroness

Eleanor Parker (The Baroness)

A student at the famed Pasadena Playhouse when she was spotted by a talent scout-not in a play, but as a member of the audience- Parker was screen-tested and signed to the movies within days of her 19th Birthday. Her career climaxed in the 1950's, when she received three Academy AwardŽ nominations: for Caged (1950), Detective Story (1951), and Interrupted Melody (1955). Wise had worked with Parker before, so he was aware of her talent, but he also cast her because she had "name" value. Parker had been a film actress for 20 years and Wise felt he needed a "star" to sell his picture. After The Sound Of Music, Parker retired to Palm Springs and remains proud of her part in the musical's success.