Mary Poppins a Classic Disney Movie

Over 45 years later, Walt Disney's Mary Poppins proves to be a classic movie favourite. Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) is "practically perfect" and warms your heart with her cheerful song. Dick Van Dyke provides endless entertainment with his role as both Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr. 

Julie Andrews was first considered for the part of Mary Poppins after she was seen on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1961 performing parts from Camelot. Julie Andrews was first sounded for the part of Mary Poppins when Walt Disney went to New York to see Camelot, it was done backstage. He was so determined to cast Julie Andrews for the part that when she mentioned she was pregnant Walt Disney offered to postpone filming until after she had her baby. Tony Walton, her husband at the time, was also offered the job of designing some sets and costumes for the film. They were escorted around Disneyland and the studio personally by Walt Disney to help them make up their minds. 

Julie Andrews was reluctant to commit to the part of Mary Poppins as she was anticipating the part of Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady (1964). Walt Disney offered to postpone filming to the summer of 1964 in case she got the part. She accepted the role the day after Warner Brothers announced Audrey Hepburn was cast as Eliza.

Walt Disney offered Dick Van Dyke the part of Bert right out. But, when Dick wanted to play the part of Mr. Dawes Sr. he was made to audition. Dick Van Dyke wanted the role of Mr. Dawes Sr. so much that he offered to play the role without pay. Throughout the film, Bert's many jobs include a chalk artist, chimney sweep, kite salesman and the one man band provides endless entertainment. 

David Tomlinson (Mr. Banks) is the voice for many of the animated characters that are encountered when Bert, Mary Poppins and the children jump into the chalk drawing.  He is also the voice for the umbrella handle Parrot. David Tomlinson was nervous he would not be good enough to play Mr. Banks as he had never professionally sang before.

Karen Dotrice (Jane) and Matthew Garber (Michael) weren't told who was playing Mr. Dawes Sr. and so during filming they were concerned that at any given moment the old man would fall down and die. The puzzled look on Jane's face when Mary Poppins pulls several large items from her carpet bag and the scream over the different colour of medicines were genuine as Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber were not aware of these "surprises" during filming.

Walt Disney's determination to obtain the film rights from P.L. Travers paid off when it won 5 oscars and was nominated for 13, including Best Picture. Mary Poppins is the only film Walt Disney personally produced that was nominated for Best Picture. My Fair Lady ended up taking home the oscar for Best Picture. As of 2010, this film remains the most successful oscar evening for Walt Disney. Julie Andrews role as Mary Poppins won her the oscar and Golden Globe (USA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Dick Van Dyke was nominated for a Golden Globe. The film was nominated for 4 Golden Globes that year.

It took Walt Disney several years to obtain the film rights to Mary Poppins. When approached in 1938 P.L. Travers was reluctant to sell them as she didn't feel confident a film version would do her creation justice. It wasn't until 1961 that she sold the rights under the condition she had script approval rights.

It is said when Mary Poppins premiered in 1965 at the Graumann Chinese Theatre P.L. Travers left it in tears. She was disappointed with the cheery disposition of Mary Poppins. Her original depiction of the character had been very cold and intimidating. P.L. Travers had also requested the chalk-drawing animation scene be removed from the film, however Walt Disney ignored her requests. The premiere of Mary Poppins was the first studio premiere Walt Disney had personally attended since the premiere of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

When Mary Poppins premiered it was the most expensive film produced by Disney Studios. It was the top grossing film in 1965 and continued to be Disney's top grossing film until it was replaced 20 years later.