The Surprising Feud Behind Julie Andrews’ Polished Image

Julie Andrews is often held up as the gold standard for charm and professionalism in the film world. Her reputation for being gracious and easy to work with is almost legendary. Yet, even the most admired figures can have their detractors, and in Andrews’ case, there was one particularly vocal critic: Richard Harris.

It’s hard to imagine anyone having a bad word to say about the star of The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. She’s managed to steer clear of scandal, and her career is packed with roles that have become classics. Even when she turned down a part in a much more risqué film, she did so for reasons that only added to her wholesome image. But not everyone was won over by her persona.

Richard Harris: A Notoriously Difficult Colleague

Richard Harris, known for his immense talent as well as his unpredictable behaviour, was never one to mince words. He had a reputation for being difficult, and he didn’t shy away from criticising his peers. Harris had a long list of people he’d clashed with, including some of the biggest names in the business. When he worked with Andrews on the 1966 film Hawaii, things quickly soured between them.

While most of Andrews’ colleagues had nothing but praise for her, Harris was the exception. He once told his biographer, Michael Feeney Callan,

“I had rarely, if ever, experienced such hatred for a person.”

That’s a strong statement, even for someone as outspoken as Harris. He was quick to point out what he saw as flaws in others, but his comments about Andrews stood out.

On-Set Tension in Hawaii

According to Harris, the atmosphere during the filming of Hawaii was anything but friendly. He described Andrews as

“condescending and mean”

throughout the production. Harris believed that his own enjoyment on set seemed to irritate her, saying,

“She would say something, all quiet and conspiratorial, to the director, and I would shout, ‘Did you say something, Jules?’ Which just pissed her.”

It’s worth noting that by the time they worked together, Andrews had already achieved a string of successes. She’d won major awards, worked with top directors, and delivered performances that were widely celebrated. Perhaps Harris thought she was getting a bit too comfortable with her own fame, or maybe their personalities just clashed from the start.

Different Perspectives in the Spotlight

Most people who’ve worked with Andrews have only good things to say about her. She’s seen as a consummate professional, someone who brings out the best in those around her. Harris, on the other hand, was known for his fiery temper and tendency to rub people the wrong way. The fact that he was the only one to openly criticise Andrews says as much about him as it does about her.

Even the most beloved stars can’t please everyone, and sometimes, personalities just don’t mix. For Andrews, Harris was the rare exception to her otherwise glowing reputation.