Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins (1964)

10/10

Starring

Julie Andrews

Dick Van Dyke

David Tomlinson

Directed by Robert Stevenson

Here is the movie that made my childhood grand. It introduces a word you’ll never forget: “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” This movie is the number one sing-a-long film I’ve ever seen—if such a list even exists.

Walt Disney and his studios outdid themselves with this movie (which was produced by Disney himself). From the wonderful screenplay to the magnificent cinematography, everything is top-notch. The musical score is so beautiful that, after the first time I watched it, I couldn’t stop humming Chim Chim Cher-ee all day long. The movie is an adaptation of P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins books, and the Sherman Brothers were the geniuses behind the musical score.

This movie marks Julie Andrews’ film debut, and Disney cast Dick Van Dyke to play the supporting role of Bert. Van Dyke’s accent in the movie is often noted as one of the worst in movie history, and honestly, you have to hear it to believe it. I’m not British, but even I know the cockney accent doesn’t sound like that.

The plot revolves around a magical English nanny, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), who is blown by the East wind to London and into the home of the Banks family to become their nanny. Poppins takes the children on various magical adventures and helps bridge the strained relationship they have with their father. Joining her on these adventures is her platonic friend Bert (Dick Van Dyke), who seems to be a jack-of-all-trades.

According to the movie’s DVD extras, it took Disney over 20 years to convince P.L. Travers to give him the rights to adapt her book. Travers feared the silver screen wouldn’t do justice to her work, but she finally gave in. However, that didn’t end their feud. Travers wanted certain added elements removed and tried to dictate the songs used, but Disney overruled her.

The movie made some major changes to the characters of Mary Poppins and Bert compared to the book. In the film, Poppins is less vain and more compassionate, whereas in the book, she’s intimidating and very stern. Bert, on the other hand, is a combination of several characters from the book.

The movie was a massive commercial success and is considered one of the greatest films ever made. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Andrews, Best Original Song (Chim Chim Cher-ee) for the Sherman Brothers, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score (also for the Sherman Brothers), and Best Visual Effects. However, it lost the Best Picture award to My Fair Lady.

This is a movie I hold dear to my heart, and I totally recommend it for both adults and kids alike.