|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
A Royal Chat Julie Andrews, who's the voice of the queen in 'Shrek 2,' is very down-to-earth for a British
dame.(LIFE) (6/1/2004)
Rick Bentley
BEVERLY HILLS -- There is a tiny matter of etiquette that must be addressed when talking with actress Julie Andrews. On New Year's Eve 1999, Andrews was named a dame by Britain's Queen Elizabeth. The royal title is among the highest honors that can be bestowed by the British monarch.
Andrews seems slightly embarrassed by the suggestion she should be addressed in a noble manner.
"You do not have to address me differently. Being named a dame is a very quiet, deeply personal thing. Some of the sirs like to be addressed as 'Sir John' or Sir Richard.' But I don't know a single woman who uses the title. It is more having been accorded such a wonderful honor," Andrews says.
Andrews is holding court in a room at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. She has joined cast and crew members of "Shrek 2" to talk about the computer-generated sequel.
Somewhere there must be a Dorian Gray-type picture of Andrews growing older with each day. The 68-year-old actress looks as if she could slip on a wide-brimmed black straw hat, open a bumbershoot (umbrella) and step into a sequel to her 1964 film "Mary Poppins" with ease. She's warm and friendly like a favorite aunt who always shows up with presents.
Andrews long established herself among Hollywood royalty through her work in such classic films as "The Sound of Music," "Mary Poppins" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie." She continues to reign over the family-friendly film kingdom with her performances in the current box-office hit "Shrek 2" and the upcoming "Princess Diaries 2."
"Shrek 2" producer David Lipman explains that Andrews was the first choice to voice the
Queen because the actress "is so regal."
Providing the voice of the Queen in "Shrek 2" was a relatively new experience for Andrews. As a child, she redubbed a Czechoslovakian cartoon. But that was mostly her singing voice. And there was a small bit of voice work for "Mary Poppins." But nothing in her long career of stage, screen, television and musical recordings compared to the voice work she did for "Shrek 2."
Andrews recorded her first lines of dialogue 18 months ago, eventually working a total of four days. Many of her recording sessions were with Monty Python alumnus John Cleese, who provides the voice of the King.
"We bonded instantly," Andrews says with great glee. "It helped that we were both British and there was the same sensibility of humor. All I know is we had a fabulous, silly time."
Andrew Adamson, the "Shrek 2" director, explains that most actors providing voices for animated characters are recorded separately. That's to make sure the actors' lines are not delivered over each other.
"We were lucky enough to have both of them [Andrews and Cleese] in town at the same time. And it was fun," Adamson says. "I knew who we wanted for every role. Julie Andrews came on immediately. We were lucky the first film was beloved enough that people wanted to be involved."
There's a litany of reasons for having Andrews involved with the movie. The moment she opens her mouth, her British accent suggests an heir of aristocracy. She brings an impressive r?sum? to the film. And few actresses have embraced family movies as much as Andrews.
Proud grandmother
That embracing of family is not just on the screen. One reason Andrews agreed to be a voice talent for "Shrek 2" is that she is a grandmother. Her seventh grandchild had been born days earlier. Being a part of the "Shrek" movies earns her points with the grandchildren.
"I am an absolutely soppy grandma. I never thought I would enjoy being a grandma as much as I have," Andrews says with great pride. "I suddenly see the family line being carried on. To see your own kids' delight and discovery of what you discovered when you gave birth and had kids, it is quite moving."
Andrews always found time for her family and not just birthdays and holidays. She worked her schedule to make sure she had time to get her children off to school and to have afternoon tea with them.
She gets excited talking about how grandson Sam found out about his grandmother's acting career. Andrews' daughter, Emma, had decided to wait until her son was old enough to understand how movies are made before telling him about his grandmother's movie career.
But three years ago, Sam, then 4, was at a birthday party. When Emma arrived to pick up the youngster, she found him starring at "Mary Poppins" playing on the television.
"He look extremely puzzled," Andrews says. "She asked Sam 'Do you think you know that lady? Is it someone we know? Is it maybe Granny Jules?' He went 'YESSSS!!!' The next time I saw him, I got this great greeting."
Role of pacifier
It took Andrews some time to get a handle on her latest film character. She eventually turned to a familiar role to help her voice the Queen.
"I wasn't really sure if she should be a sweet queen, a snippy queen, a bossy lady, a domineering wife or an autocratic mum," Andrews says. "Looking at the storyboarding it seemed like she was a pacifier, the lady who keeps the peace in the castle. The lady who calms her husband down."
Andrews relates to that role. She's the pacifier in her own home.
"Of course that is why they asked me to do this movie," Andrews says sarcastically.
Andrews has been married to director Blake Edwards since 1969. They have raised five children including Emma, Andrews' daughter by her first husband, Tony Walton.
Family is a recurring theme in almost every aspect of Andrews' life.
The actress, who was born Julia Elizabeth Wells in 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, England, says her father, Ted Wells, had the most influence on her life. Her mother, Barbara Wells, had a great passion for life and brought a spark to the family. But it was the days going swimming, rowing on the river or walking in the country with her father that had the biggest impact on her life.
The other men who influenced Andrews' life were directors such as George Roy Hill, Robert Wise and Alfred Hitchcock. Walt Disney, who had the faith to cast the stage actress in "Mary Poppins," also changed her life.
"Hitchcock was lovely to me. He wanted to educate and show me filmmaking. Walt Disney was very hands-on," Andrews says.
Had casting of another film gone differently, Andrews would not have been available to appear as the world's most magical nanny. Andrews had been successful on Broadway in "My Fair Lady." But when the film version was made, Audrey Hepburn was cast to play Eliza Doolittle.
Producer Jack Warner defended the selection of Hepburn over Andrews by saying, "No one in the sticks has ever heard of her."
Andrews says, "I understand why they picked her. I was just known on Broadway. They needed a leading star. I guess it was meant to be, because three months later Disney asked me to do 'Poppins.' "
Andrews won the Academy Award for best actress for her work in "Mary Poppins." (Hepburn was not nominated for her role in "My Fair Lady.")
There was talk of a sequel to "Mary Poppins," but nothing more than talk. Andrews had not seen the original "Poppins" since the release until recently, when she viewed the movie to add commentary for a 40th- anniversary DVD release. She was struck by what the filmmakers accomplished despite not having the technology of today's moviemakers.
Distinctive voice
Fans will recognize Andrews' commentary immediately because of her distinct voice. But despite a long list of television, stage and film credits, Andrews can pass through airports without being noticed as long as she keeps her mouth shut.
"As soon as I speak, I am recognized," Andrews says. She pauses to take a sip of tea from a small china cup. "I find that so surprising because I don't think I have that distinct of a voice. I look up at the screen at the Queen and wonder if that is really me providing the voice."
Andrews' melodic voice became the subject of headlines in 1998. An operation on her vocal chords left her singing voice badly damaged. Fans mourned reports that her angelic singing voice never would be heard again.
Reports have surfaced that Andrews sings in "Princess Diaries 2." Andrews smiles and then explains that such reports are just exaggerations.
"Word got out that I might sing in the movie, and everybody went wild about it. The truth is I do a kind of Rex Harrison where I sing-speak it," Andrews says, comparing her work in "Diaries" to Harrison's alternative to singing in "My Fair Lady."
"For about eight very low bars, you might hear some melody. But, in fact, I melt into it and immediately out of it. I could not call it a full song. I could not call it singing. But I am thrilled we did it."
Andrews credits her husband with helping her get through the aftermath of the surgery. She says the pair have survived highs and lows by taking one day at a time.
One of the highs for Andrews was seeing Edwards pick up an honorary Oscar at this year's Academy Awards. The acceptance was a switch from the norm at the very serious ceremonies. Edwards' entrance came via a speeding wheelchair that supposedly sent the 81-year-old director crashing through a wall.
"Blake planned his entrance. He didn't want to be pompous. He was fed up with people giving serious speeches. He said, 'Comedy is my thing.' To his great surprise, the Academy went for it," Andrews says.
Edwards directed Andrews in "S.O.B." and "Victor/Victoria." He also directed Andrews in a few gag scenes with Peter Sellers during the filming of "The Pink Panther." A scene with Andrews playing a chambermaid was filmed in an effort to make Sellers laugh. As far as Andrews knows, the footage of that scene survives.
Andrews hopes to work with her husband again.
"Blake is talking about doing a musical on Broadway. He is one of these gentlemen who has a new idea every three days. He thinks so quickly. Who knows what the future will bring?" Andrews says.
Range of interests
Andrews has put her time and efforts into other creative outlets. She's a spokesperson for numerous charities including UNIFEM, the United Nations foundation that works to promote gender equality between women and men and advance the status of women.
She recently was named the ambassador for the 50th anniversary of Disneyland.
Andrews also turned to writing. Inspired by grandson Sam, Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton have written 12 books ranging from the "Dumpy" series for children to their latest book, "Dragon: Hound of Honor," aimed at older children.
Andrews loves writing with her daughter.
"We finish each other's sentences, we laugh a lot, we have a lot of cups of tea. It is one of the happiest experiences I can possibly imagine," Andrews says.
Andrews is looking at the possibility of writing for older readers. She has been approached to pen her autobiography.
Whether it be "Shrek 2," work for a charity, promotion of Disneyland, her latest children's book or hosting the six-part PBS series "Broadway," Andrews embraces each project with a great passion.
"I am wonderfully, happily busy," Andrews says. "I have lived a long time. I guess I am a bouncy, enthusiastic lady. I love that one day I am desperately trying to finish a book, and the next day I am up at 5 a.m. to work on a movie.
"I feel so blessed that I have been allowed to play in all these different arenas."
The reporter can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or at (559) 441-6355.
CAPTION(S):
BUENA VISTA PICTURES
Julie Andrews, left, plays Queen Clarisse Renaldi in "Princess Diaries 2," which also stars Anne Hathaway, right. In real life, Andrews carries a royal title.
DREAMWORKS
Andrews reads her part as Queen Lillian in "Shrek 2."
DREAMWORKS
Andrews says she had a pacifying character in mind when voicing the Queen.
20TH CENTURY FOX
Julie Andrews left an indelible impression on audiences in the 1965 classic "The Sound of Music."
Return to Julie News
Return to My Fair Julie