Gretl is the youngest child in the Von Trapp family. I like her for the following reasons:
During takes of the film, Kym so often fell over and got left behind in some way. For example when trying to communicate unsuccessfully with the real German Von Trapp family, there was little to be said until Kym fell down the stairs and broke the ice as they all laughed!
Kym continued acting for American television before taking time out when she was 13 to graduate from U.S.C. with a degree in humanisties. She went back to Salzburg in 1976 with her sister who was with her on location when they filmed "The Sound of Music" in 1964.
Kym moved to Paris for a while to model and study art history she met her husband Philipe L'Equilbec there. They married in 1985. They returned to USA and had a son called Eric born in 1991. (Heather Menzies is Eric's Godmother) She is now resuming her acting career and lives in L.A and Connecticut.
FACT FILE OF GRETL:
Name: Gretl Von Trapp
Age: Five years
Where to find her: At the end of the Von Trapp line or number seven of the children
Hair Colour: Blonde
Favourite note: Do
You can hear her saying: "Don't believe a word they say Fraulein Maria...because I like you!" "How long will you be gone this time Father?" "They're asleep, they're not scared!" "Bunny rabbits!" "But how?" "Can we really keep the Puppet show Uncle Max?!" "It'll be my first party Father!" "I think the men look beautiful!" "What's that they're playing?" "The sun has gone to bed and so must I!" "Not without Fraulein Maria." "I can't, I've got a sore finger!" "Father, who is our new governess going to be?" "I want to show her my finger!" "I feel awful." "Why don't I feel better?" "It got caught...in Friedrich's teeth!" "Why was he so cross?" "Why am I always last?" "Are Father and Uncle Max going to push the car all the way to Switzerland?" "Mother, would it help if we sang about our favourite things?"
Famous outfits worn by Gretl: Her pink dinner dress, her blue nightgown, her overalls and yellow t-shirt from Maria's curtains, her little white party dress, her purple and dark dress along with a matching hat, her grey dress.
FUN FACTS:
During filming, Kym almost drowned! When filming the scene where Maria and all seven children fall out of the boat into the water, Kym did not know how to swim and was expecting Julie Andrews to catch her. Unfortunately, Julie fell out the wrong side and one of the crewmen had to jump in and rescue her. Then the scene had to be shot again and Heather (Louisa) was to catch her but at this time, Kym threw up all over her shoulder.
This is Kym in one of her films before 'The Sound of Music,' with Doris Day
ABOUT KYM KARATH:
Kym was born on Aug 4, 1958 into a showbusiness family. Her mother had been at an opera and drama school in New York where she met her father who was a stage actor. Kym has a sister Francie and a brother. She had been in 3 films before 'The Sound of Music.' In fact on entering her audition Kym told director Robert Wise, "I'm your choice, I've already been in 3 films," showing him the charisma he looked for in his youngest cast member.
PICTURES OF GRETL/KYM:
