Mary Poppins (character) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary Poppins |
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| Mary Poppins character | |
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins in the 1964 film
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| First appearance | Mary Poppins and the Match Man (1926) |
| Created by | P. L. Travers |
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Other:
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| Occupation | Nanny |
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| Nationality | English |
Mary Poppins is a famous fictional character. She is the main character in the P. L. Travers book series and all the movies and plays based on them. Mary Poppins is a magical English nanny. She arrives at the Banks family home in London on the east wind. She takes care of the Banks children and teaches them important lessons. She uses a special touch of magic in her lessons.
Julie Andrews played Mary Poppins in the 1964 film. She won an Academy Award for her role. The film magazine Empire called Mary Poppins (played by Andrews) one of the 100 greatest movie characters. Emily Blunt played Mary Poppins in the 2018 sequel, Mary Poppins Returns. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. In the 2004 musical, Laura Michelle Kelly won an Olivier Award for playing Mary Poppins.
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About Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a classic English nanny. She is a bit strict but also very caring. She uses magic and self-control to look after the Banks children. You can often spot her by her sensible hat and parrot umbrella. She carries these with her on all her outings. She can also teleport to places she wants to go. She is kind to the children but can be firm when needed. She is known for being "practically perfect in every way." In the movie, she is a young woman with a graceful and elegant manner.
The author, P. L. Travers, was very particular about how Mary Poppins looked. She worked closely with the illustrator, Mary Shepard. They decided Mary Poppins should look like a Dutch doll. She was tall and thin, with short black hair and large blue eyes. She also had a small, upturned nose and a neat, pursed mouth.
In the Books
In P. L. Travers' books, Mary Poppins is strict and serious. She uses her unique way of teaching to guide the four (later five) Banks children. Mary is quite vain and often looks at herself in mirrors. She always scolds the children for their "bad" behavior. This happens especially when they point out her magical actions. She always denies that she is anything but a proper lady. Mary only shows her softer side around her friends. These friends include Bert the Matchman and Mrs. Corry.
Mary has many relatives, and each one is magical or very unusual. At least one of them appears in each book. She seems to know all kinds of magical beings. Some of them love her, and others are quite afraid of her. Some characters call her "The Great Exception." This means she is the only human who remembers the magical secrets that babies have. Babies can talk to animals, but most people forget these things as they grow up. Some of her adventures happen in London. Others take place in strange, magical places. In the first book, Mary Poppins arrives at the Banks' home. She is carried by the east wind and brings her special carpet bag. She leaves when she opens her umbrella, and the west wind carries her away.
In the Films
In the Disney film, Julie Andrews plays Mary Poppins. This version is also quite stern but more gentle and cheerful. She is also more caring towards the two Banks children. Mary also has a friendship with Bert (Dick Van Dyke). Bert is a person who can do many things. He is very comfortable with Mary's magic. This film version of Mary is less vain and selfish than the book character. She is also much more understanding towards the children. Emily Blunt played Mary Poppins in the sequel Mary Poppins Returns.
In the Stage Musical
"Even though it's set in Edwardian London, it's about family, and it's about appreciating one another. And that is kind of timeless, it's at the core of everyone's life to love and appreciate each other."
In both the West End and Broadway versions of the stage musical, Mary Poppins is more mysterious. She is a bit stricter with the children. The children are also naughtier than in the books or movies. But she is strict only because she wants them to be their best. Mary in the stage version is also more aware of Bert's feelings for her.
How the Character Developed
Mary Poppins first appeared in a short story called 'Mary Poppins and the Match Man' in 1926. She also appeared in early parts of the first novel. P. L. Travers later said that the character came to her fully formed in 1934.
Notable Actors Who Played Her
Many actors have played Mary Poppins over the years:
- Julie Andrews in the Disney film and in all related products.
- Mary Wickes in the Studio One TV episode "Mary Poppins" in 1949.
- Natalya Andreychenko in the 1983 Soviet film Mary Poppins, Goodbye.
- Laura Michelle Kelly in the first West End and Broadway stage musical productions.
- Ashley Brown in the first Broadway and US tour stage musical productions.
- Scarlett Strallen in the London and Broadway stage musical productions.
- Bianca Marroquín in the Mexican stage musical production.
- Lisa O'Hare in the London and UK tour stage musical productions.
- Caroline Sheen in the first UK tour and US tour stage musical productions.
- Linda Olsson in the Swedish stage musical production.
- Verity Hunt-Ballard in the Australian stage musical production.
- Victoria Summer played Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins in Saving Mr. Banks.
- Zizi Strallen in the UK tour stage musical production and the 2019 West End revival in London.
- Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns.
Voice Actors
- Tatyana Voronina (singing) in the Soviet film Mary Poppins, Goodbye.
- Juliet Stevenson in the BBC Radio adaptation of the novel.
Mary Poppins in Other Stories
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Mary Poppins has appeared in many other stories and shows.
- In the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, many Mary Poppins characters flew down with umbrellas. They helped fight off famous villains like the Queen of Hearts and Lord Voldemort. This part was called "Second to the right and straight on till morning".
- Terry Pratchett's character Susan Sto Helit is a bit like Mary Poppins. This is especially true in his novel Hogfather.
- In The Simpsons episode "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious", a housekeeper named Shary Bobbins appears. She is a parody of Mary Poppins.
- In the movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Peter Quill compares Yondu to Mary Poppins. Yondu then proudly says, "I'm Mary Poppins, y'all!"
- In The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, there is a character named Larry Poppins. He is a male version of Mary Poppins.
- Mary Poppins often appears at Disney Parks. She is usually with Bert in the Main Street, U.S.A. area. She can also be found at the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot.
See also
In Spanish: Mary Poppins (personaje) para niños
