Mary Poppins

About Mary Poppins

The 1964 classic, "Mary Poppins", is a Disney-produced musical fantasy film, directed by Robert Stevenson. This beloved film is based on P. L. Travers’ book series of the same name. The film tells the captivating story of a magical nanny, Mary Poppins (played by Julie Andrews), who visits a chaotic household in London and employs her unique brand of lifestyle to improve the family's dynamic. Along with her cheerful chimney sweeper friend, Bert (played by Dick Van Dyke), Mary Poppins brings joy, adventures and life-changing lessons to the Banks' children.

Making / Production

The film's production was a meticulous endeavor, with its development beginning in the early 1940s when Walt Disney's daughters fell in love with Travers' stories. The journey from book to film was not smooth, with Travers initially resistant to Disney's cinematic adaptation. However, this process was beautifully documented in the 2013 movie "Saving Mr. Banks".

Actors

• Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins - Her enchanting portrayal of the magical nanny won hearts worldwide.
• Dick Van Dyke as Bert - A versatile actor, he brought charm and energy to the role of the friendly chimney sweep.
• David Tomlinson as George Banks - Tomlinson's portrayal of the stern but loving father was compelling.
• Glynis Johns as Winifred Banks - Johns portrayed a caring mother and a passionate suffragette with finesse.
• Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber as Jane and Michael Banks - This talented child duo convincingly portrayed the naively smart children who learned great values from Mary Poppins.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2013.
• Julie Andrews made her feature film debut in "Mary Poppins".
• The movie was one of the few films to be shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

Awards

The film was a major success and received a total of 13 Academy Award nominations - a record for any Disney movie. Julie Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Mary Poppins, and the film also won Oscars for Best Film Editing, Original Music Score, Best Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and Best Visual Effects.

Quotes

• "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" - Mary Poppins
• "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way." - Mary Poppins
• "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun." - Mary Poppins

Music, Soundtrack

• "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"
• "A Spoonful of Sugar"
• "Chim Chim Cher-ee"
• "Let's Go Fly a Kite"
• "Feed the Birds"