Mary Poppins (1964)

In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Bill Walsh (screenplay), Don DaGradi (screenplay) (as Don Da Gradi)

Stars:

Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson

Won 5 Oscars. Another 15 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Andrews	...	Mary Poppins
Dick Van Dyke	...	Bert / Mr. Dawes Senior (as Navckid Keyd)
David Tomlinson	...	Mr. George W. Banks
Glynis Johns	...	Mrs. Winnifred Banks
Hermione Baddeley	...	Ellen - Maid
Reta Shaw	...	Mrs. Brill - Cook
Karen Dotrice	...	Jane Banks
Matthew Garber	...	Michael Banks
Elsa Lanchester	...	Katie Nanna
Arthur Treacher	...	The Constable
Reginald Owen	...	Admiral Boom
Ed Wynn	...	Uncle Albert
Jane Darwell	...	The Bird Woman
Arthur Malet	...	Mr. Dawes Junior
James Logan	...	Bank Doorman

Storyline

When Jane and Michael, the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new nanny, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins. Embarking on a series of fantastical adventures with Mary and her Cockney performer friend, Bert, the siblings try to pass on some of their nanny's sunny attitude to their preoccupied parents.

---

Plot Keywords:

nanny | live action and animation | magic | family relationships | based on novel | 

---

Taglines:

See It Again and Again with that Supercalifragilistic Music! [re-release Australia 1976]

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1964 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Mary Poppins

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Studios, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$102,272,727

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$115,272,727

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are 20 distinguishable names in "Jolly Holiday" when Bert and the penguins are discussing how no one is better than Mary Poppins. The names are as follows: Mavis and Sybil [have ways that are winning], Prudence and Gwendolyn [set your heart spinning], Phoebe [delightful], Maude [is disarming], Janis, Felicia, Lydia [charming], Cynthia [dashing], Vivian [sweet], Stephanie [smashing], Priscilla [a treat], Veronica, Millicent, Agnes, Jane [convivial company time and again], Doris, Phyllis, Glynis [of sorts, I'll agree are three jolly good sports. But, cream of the crop, tip of the top, it's Mary Poppins and there we stop.]

---

Goofs

When Mr. Dawes, Sr. comes out to see Mr. Banks, Jane, and Michael, he's talking, but his mouth doesn't move.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Bert: All right, ladies an' gents! Comical poem! Suitable for the occasion, extemporized and thought up before your very eyes! All right, 'ere we go!
[sings]
Bert: Room 'ere for everyone. Gather around.
[speaks]
Bert: The constable - responstable! Now 'ow does that sound?
[no response]
Bert: Hm.
[dashes over to Miss Lark, sings]
Bert: 'Ello, Miss Lark, I've got one for you.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

In the end credits cast list, the actor playing Mr. Dawes, Sr. is initially shown as NAVCKID KEYD, then the letters unscramble themselves to show that this is a second role played by Dick Van Dyke.

---

Alternate Versions

Also shown in sing-a-long version.

---

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Pod People (1991)

---

Soundtracks

Let's Go Fly a Kite
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Sung by Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber, and Dick Van Dyke

User Reviews

A unique achievement, filled out on the DVD

Despite the technical achievements and the outstanding musical score, it is the performances that keep the film alive for me. Julie Andrews was right on target when she received her academy award and thanked Jack Warner for turning her down in the film version of My Fair Lady. She conveys both dignity and warmth as Mary. Dick van Dyke had the chance of a lifetime to demonstrate the breadth of his talents, especially his dancing, which could not be fully exploited on his TV series. Disney gave real depth to the film through his use of Elsa Lanchester, Arthur Treacher, Reginald Owen, Ed Wynn and (especially) Jane Darwell (who is cited in the IMDb biography as best known for her cameo portrayal of the Bird Lady, despite her 1940 Academy Award for one of the great all-time performances in Grapes of Wrath). I computed the ages of the five as reaching 418 years when the film was released; their film careers covered 193 combined years, with stage careers going back as far as 1905. Disney's casting of these, as well as a group of accomplished British actors of stage and film demonstrated what should be meant by "supporting cast": it gave strong support against which Andrews and Van Dyke could perform without being under to carry the entire film. Finally: If someone wants to appreciate the care that went into the film, s/he should purchase the new 40th anniversary DVD. Viewing the interviews and other documents enabled me to increase my already great enjoyment. They do not "murder to dissect"; quite the contrary.