A magical, musical nanny brings a breath of fresh air into the stuffy Banks household in turn-of-the-century England. Overstuffed with gaiety, this children's fantasy is filled to the brim with wonderful dance numbers and outrageous songs (such as the seemingly unpronounceable "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious"). The film's seamless blending of live-action with animation was a marvel in its day. This is Andrews' film debut and Darwell's last film appearance. Academy Award Nominations: 13, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best (Adapted) Screenplay. Academy Awards: 5, including Best Actress--Julie Andrews, Best Original Score, Best Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee"), Best Editing, Best Special Visual Effects. Gold Collection Edition features "Hollywood Goes to a World Premiere."

Directed by Robert Stevenson

Cast list

Mary Poppins: Julie Andrews

Bert: Dick Van Dyke

George Banks: David Tomlinson

Winfred Banks: Glynis Jones

Jane Banks: Hermione Baddeley

Michael Banks: Matthew Garber

Bird woman: Jane Darwell

Quotes

Mary Poppins: Just as I thought. "Mary Poppins, practically perfectly in every way."

Bert:You think... you wink... you do a double blink. You close your eyes, and JUMP. [nothing happens]

Jane: Was something supposed to happen?

Mary Poppins": Bert, what utter nonsense. Why do you always complicate things that are really quite simple. Give me your hand please Michael. Don't slouch. One, two... [they jump into the sidewalk drawing]

Mary Poppins": Of course, you can say it backwards, which is dociousaliexpilisticfragicalirupus, but that's going a bit too far, don't you think?

Bert": Indubitably.

Michael": I want it to feed the birds.

Mr Dawes SR: Fiddlesticks, Boy. Feed the birds and what have you got? Fat birds.

Mrs Banks:[singing] Our daughters' daughters will adore us and they'll sing in grateful chorus, "Well done, sister suffragettes."

 

Trivia

The author of the "Poppins" books, P.L Travers approved heartily of the casting of Julie Andrews after hearing her only on the telephone. Andrews granted the interview from her bed after the delivery of her daughter.

 P.L Travers wanted the animated chalk-drawing sequence removed from the film, but Walt Disney refused.

Julie Andrews was left hanging in mid-air during one particularly long camera setup. The stagehands unwittingly lowered her wire harness rather rapidly. "Is she down yet?" called a grip. "You bloody well better believe she is!" fumed Andrews.

The film was shot entirely indoors.

Mary Poppins and Mrs Banks never speak to each other

 Feed the Birds" was Walt Disney's favourite song.