Favorite Film – Mary Poppins (1964)
Directed by – Robert Stevenson
Cinematography by – Edward Colman
Main Actors: Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
Dick Van Dyke as Bert
David Tomlinson as Mr. Banks
Glynis Johns as Mrs. Banks
Karen Dotrice as Jane Banks
Matthew Garber as Michael Banks
Disney acquired rights to make the film in 1961, spent 2 years preparing (with the music and casting) and spent the rest of the time recording.
Released – August, 1964 in the United States, but didn’t release in Europe until almost a year later.
**Interesting Fact: It was the last film to be personally supervised by Walt Disney before he died.**
This movie is about the English Banks family which is interviewing for a nanny since the parents don’t have time to look after the kids and the last nanny quit. The father wants the kids to have a strict nanny but they do not, so their write their own advertisement, which their father tears up upon seeing. When interviewing nannies the next day, the entire bunch gets blown away and only Mary Poppins remains, and produces the advertisement that Jane and Michael created. She takes them on outings to the park, inside paintings, and to a floating tea party. Upon hearing the story, Mr. Banks decides she is not strict enough and takes the kids to work with him so they can see what the real world looks like. But a confrontation over the correct use of a tuppence (to feed the birds or go in the bank) results in the kids running away from the bank. Their father loses his job but he feels much more free and happy. When the wind changes Mary Poppins has to leave, and the children are sad. But the father is much more involved now and takes the children kiting, so they are distracted from even saying goodbye to her when she leaves.
Upon realizing that most of my all time favorite movies were cartoons, I turned to what was my favorite movies when I was growing up, which was Mary Poppins. For 6 years of my life I considered this THE best movie in existence. I don’t know if I would say that the movie moved me, but it certainly amused me and made me happy to watch. I was just starting to dance when I first saw it, and the dance numbers like the chimney scene and the penguin scene always made little me get up and dance in front of the television. Also, I think Julie Andrews is the epitome of grace and class and her voice is beautiful. Dick Van Dyke’s personality is personable and humorous making him my brother’s favorite character. In retrospect, Michael Banks reminds me a lot of how my little brother was , so that lends an affectionate feel to my viewing of the movie. Plus, the happy family, kite scene at the end always makes me happy and joyful.
shanecarley Said:
on October 14, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I am actually ashamed to say that I have never seen this movie. It’s sad, because I’ve heard people talk about it for my entire life, so I know the basic premise of it. Your description of it makes me even sadder that I have not seen it yet. I, too, love cartoons. They define my childhood and I’ll be damned if I’ll let growing up get in the way of that, so I totally empathize with your decision to choose a cartoon. I also love old movies, so that really just throws in another reason I need to see it. I actually love to read what people have to say about their favorite movies, because people tend to get really excited about them, and you definitely fit right into that statement. Hopefully I’ll be able to share your excitement over it someday.