About Bedknobs and Broomsticks

A magical tale of an amateur witch, Eglantine Price, who is training to be a witch to aid the British forces in World War II. To make the children under her care obedient, she resorts to magic. When the magic bedknob, which has the power to teleport the bed anywhere, falls into the hands of the three children, it leads them on a series of magical adventures, including a trip to an animated underwater world and a soccer game played by animals.

Making / Production

Directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions, the movie was based on the books by Mary Norton and brought to life with a combination of live-action and animation.

Actors

• Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price: She gracefully brings out Eglantine's determined, loving, and quirky nature.
• David Tomlinson as Emelius Browne: He exhibits the charm and wit of Emelius beautifully.
• John Ericson as Colonel Heller: His stern and focused portrayal of Colonel Heller is brilliant.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Julie Andrews was originally offered the role of Eglantine Price.
• It was originally planned to be a fully animated film.
• The film is often compared to Mary Poppins due to thematic similarities.

Awards

The movie won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1972. It was also nominated for four other categories including Best Art Direction, Best Original Music Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Song.

Quotes

• "Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Satis Dee!" - Eglantine Price (This is the magic spell used by Eglantine in the movie)
• "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun." - Emelius Browne

Music, Soundtrack

• The Sherman Brothers wrote the film's songs that include memorable tunes like 'The Age of Not Believing', and 'Portobello Road'.
• The film's instrumental score was composed by Irwin Kostal.
• The film's final song, "Substitutiary Locomotion," is a fun-filled, memorable anthem.