Thursday, February 17
Book chat at 2pm ET

(CNN) -- Charmian Carr, the actress who played Liesl von Trapp in "The Sound of Music," has written a book about the experience entitled, " Forever Liesl: A Memoir of The Sound of Music."

An unknown, Charmian Carr was chosen at 21 to play 16-year-old Liesl in a film named the most popular of all time by the People's Choice Awards. It ran for almost five years on its first release and has become the longest running video bestseller ever. She retired from acting to raise a family only two years after the film's debut. She currently lives in Encino, California. Ms. Carr joined CNN.com for a chat, Thursday February 17, 2000.

Chat Moderator: Welcome, Charmian Carr.

Charmian Carr: Hello, everyone, it's nice to be here, and talking with everyone!

Question from Cathy: How did you get your start in acting?

Charmian Carr: I am from a show-business family, although I didn't have intentions of joining the business. I was going to college and working part time, saving to go to Europe. Then, an agent friend of my mother's called. They had actually started working on "Sound of Music," but hadn't found a person for the role of Liesl that the producer liked for the part. The agent knew that my mother had three daughters, so she called, and asked if there was a daughter who was over 18, looked 16, and could sing and dance and act. My mother recommended me.

I'd studied dance from the time I was four, and the singing came naturally because both parents sang professionally. So, the agent sent me on the audition without ever having met me.

I met with the casting director, and he had me read the 16-going-on-17 scene from the film. Then he called me back again, to meet with the director, and I read the scene for him, as well as the associate producer, Saul Chaplin. And I also sang for them at that time. Then, they called me back again to dance for the choreographers. They then hired me temporarily, until they could get a screen test for me.

They were afraid that my eyes might not photograph well, because they were so blue. So, I went into rehearsals with the rest of the cast for two weeks, until they could get the stage to do the screen test. Then, they did the screen test, and it turned out my eyes looked fine, and I was hired.

Question from Candyce: Was there a tutor for the children while making the movie?

Charmian Carr: Yes, it's a union rule. Children have to go to school four hours every day. I was 21 at the time. That's why they wanted an actress over 18. Her part was so much bigger than the other children's, and they didn't want to lose her for four hours every day, having to go to school.

Chat Moderator: While you were making the movie, did any of the cast or crew sense that "The Sound of Music" was a classic in the making?

Charmian Carr: None of us knew. We were all just as surprised as anyone else. The critics actually bombed the movie, said it was too sugary sweet. We didn't think we had a hit on our hands. It was the public, going to see it again and again that made it the success it is.

Question from Worm_VonTrapp: Why did you stop acting after "Sound of Music?"

Charmian Carr: I actually worked for two more years. The studio kept me under contract. I attended openings of the film, and did publicity work. I did a television special with Tony Perkins, that Steven Sondheim wrote.

After that, I married, and my ex-husband and I decided that I wouldn't work in films anymore, since we wanted to have a family. I didn't feel I could do both things well. Acting took so much time, and was such an involvement, that I didn't think it would be fair to raise children, and leave for two or three months to do a film.

I did, however, when my daughter was a year old, start doing television commercials. I also, in 1976, started an interior design business. I had become interested in the design business while making "Sound of Music." I was dating an interior designer. I never intended to do it for a living, but when we bought our home, I applied for my license while decorating our home. It became a word-of-mouth business, for my friends.

The nice thing was that I could work while my children were in school, and be home when they were home. In 1987, I stopped doing the television commercials, because the design business became so successful. It was difficult to do both.

Chat Moderator: How did the movie shape your life?

Charmian Carr: I think that the love of family, portrayed beautifully in that film, and how important that is in your life, really has helped me make decisions on many things that have happened in my life. The love of country and standing up for what you believe in, as well. The music was so inspiring, that it made me realize how important music was in my life.

Of course, playing Liesl, I'm still recognized all these years later. I have a dual personality, almost. I'm Liesl, and I'm Charmian. So many people saw the movie. I think that's why I’m recognized. I've had so much fan mail, and people share their stories of how their lives were affected by watching "Sound of Music."

Question from Cathy: Do you keep in touch with any of the other Von Trapp children?

Charmian Carr: Yes, we all stay in touch.

Question from Worm_VonTrapp: Can you tell us about the deal you signed that kept you from receiving your fair share of profits?

Charmian Carr: We signed a waiver that waived our rights for any profits of the album. We were approached by the studio and told that everyone else signed it, except "you," whoever they talked to at the time. Twenty years later, we found out that we'd all been told the same thing. We receive money when it's shown on television, but that's a Screen Actor's Guild ruling. The studio couldn't prevent that. That's very small right now. We don't receive anything from the video, or the laser disc, or the compact disc.

Chat Moderator: What was it like to work with the director Robert Wise? Was he good at working with young actors?

Charmian Carr: He was wonderful. He had the patience of a saint. I only remember him getting angry with them once, because they were fooling around on the set. He was very soft-spoken, very easy to work with.

Question from SickOfIt: Ms. Carr, what was it like working with Julie Andrews?

Charmian Carr: It was very easy to work with Julie. I didn't know who she was, when I was filming "Sound of Music." She hadn't done any films yet that were released. I'd never been to a Broadway show, so I didn't know who she was. I didn't know that I should be intimidated. :)

Question from SickOfIt: Ms. Carr, do you regret your decision to give up acting?

Charmian Carr: I have never regretted it. I have two happily married daughters with wonderful husbands who are well adjusted, have wonderful jobs, and I have a granddaughter who is 9-months old now. My daughter, Jenny, has chosen to give up her job to care for her child, which makes me feel wonderful.

Chat Moderator: Do you think a movie like "Sound of Music" could be successful today?

Charmian Carr: I don't really know. I know "Sound of Music" is still successful, but I think it was a magical time when everything was right, and it worked out beautifully.

Question from Skinnyb: Ms. Carr, how much time did you spend in Austria filming the "Sound of Music?" Did you find Austria enjoyable? I am living here now and am interested in what you think of the country.

Charmian Carr: We were there three months. We were only supposed to be there six weeks. But, it rained so much that we ended up staying three months. I loved it, and thought it was beautiful, when it wasn't raining. :) It's like a fairy-tale town.

Question from Cindy: Charmian, do you meet with the others siblings from the movie, like Angela Cartwright?

Charmian Carr: We don't regularly meet, but when we have the opportunity, we do. We have been together through the years for different functions for "Sound of Music." Different times, at Christmas time, one or the other of us will have a party.

Question from One: Were there any physical attractions between the stars on the set?

Charmian Carr: There was a wonderful romance between Saul Chaplin, the associate producer, and Betty Levin, the script supervisor. They married, and were happily married for over 30 years, until Saul passed away just two years ago. Then Rolf, the boy that played him, fell in love with my German stand-in. Her parents names, or so he says, were Rolf and Liesl. He brought her to America and married her. They have, however, since divorced.

Chat Moderator: Ms. Carr, do you have any final thoughts for us?

Charmian Carr: No final comments, but I want to thank all of you for coming in to chat about "Sound of Music." It was a wonderful experience, making the film. I hope you'll read my book. It talks about many more memories.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us, Ms. Carr.

Charmian Carr: Good bye!