Mary Poppins (movie) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mary Poppins |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Robert Stevenson |
| Produced by | Walt Disney |
| Screenplay by | Bill Walsh Don DaGradi |
| Starring | Julie Andrews Dick Van Dyke David Tomlinson Glynis Johns Karen Dotrice Matthew Garber |
| Music by | Richard M. Sherman Robert B. Sherman (Songs) Irwin Kostal |
| Cinematography | Edward Colman |
| Editing by | Cotton Warburton |
| Studio | Walt Disney Productions |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Film Distribution Company |
| Release date(s) | August 27, 1964 |
| Running time | 139 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $102,272,727 |
Mary Poppins is a famous American musical movie from 1964. It stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The movie was made by Walt Disney and is based on the Mary Poppins book series by P. L. Travers. It was filmed at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
Julie Andrews won an Academy Award for Best Actress for playing Mary Poppins. The movie also won four other Oscars. These were for Best Movie Editing, Original Music Score, and Best Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee." It also won for Best Visual Effects. Overall, Mary Poppins was nominated for 13 Academy Awards.
Contents
Movie Story: The Banks Family
The movie is about the Banks family, who live in London around 1910. The family includes George Banks, who works at a bank. His wife, Winifred Banks, is active in the Women's rights movement. They have two children, Jane and Michael.
Mr. Banks is very busy with his bank job. Mrs. Banks is busy with her women's rights activities. Because of this, they don't spend much time with their children. Instead, they rely on different nannies to care for Jane and Michael.
Finding a New Nanny
One day, their nanny, Katie, suddenly quits her job. Mr. Banks starts looking for a new nanny right away. That night, Jane and Michael write a letter to their father. In it, they describe the kind of nanny they really want.
However, Mr. Banks rips up their letter and throws it into the fireplace. He then writes down his own ideas for a nanny. He wants someone very serious and organized.
Many nannies come to the house for an interview. But a strong wind blows them all away before they can even enter. At the same time, Jane and Michael are looking out the window. They see a woman flying down from the sky with an umbrella. Her name is Mary Poppins.
Mary Poppins' Magic
Mary Poppins is exactly the kind of nanny the children wished for. With her special magic and loving ways, she takes care of Jane and Michael. She takes them on many amazing and unique adventures.
At first, Mr. Banks doesn't like Mary Poppins' unusual methods. But as the story goes on, she helps him connect with his children. She brings the Banks family closer together. By the end of the movie, the whole family is happy again.
Meet the Cast
The movie features many talented actors. Here are some of the main characters:
- Julie Andrews plays Mary Poppins. She is a magical and kind nanny who arrives from the sky. She is firm but also gentle and loving with the children. This is a bit different from how the character was in the original books.
- Dick Van Dyke plays Bert. He is a cockney "jack-of-all-trades" and Mary Poppins' best friend. He is used to her magic and they have a playful relationship. Bert has several jobs in the movie, like a one-man band, a chalk artist, a chimney sweep, and a kite seller.
- Dick Van Dyke also plays Mr. Dawes Sr. He is the very old director of the bank where Mr. Banks works.
- David Tomlinson plays George Banks. He is Mary Poppins' employer and the father of Jane and Michael. He works at a bank in London and is a very serious and disciplined man.
- Glynis Johns plays Winifred Banks. She is George Banks' wife and the mother of Jane and Michael. She is shown as a member of the "Votes for Women" movement, which fought for women's right to vote.
- Karen Dotrice plays Jane Banks.
- Matthew Garber plays Michael Banks.
- Hermione Baddeley plays Ellen, the maid in the Banks' home.
- Reta Shaw plays Mrs. Brill, the cook in the Banks' home.
- Elsa Lanchester plays Katie Nanna, the nanny who quits at the beginning of the movie.
- Ed Wynn plays Uncle Albert. He is a cheerful man who floats in the air when he laughs too much.
Voice Actors
Many actors also lent their voices to animated characters in the movie.
- Julie Andrews as Robin, Female Pearly
- Daws Butler as Penguin Waiter, Turtles
- Paul Frees as Barnyard Horse
- Bill Lee as Ram
- Dallas McKennon as Fox, Bloodhound, Penguin Waiter, Horse, Carousel Guard
- Alan Napier as Huntsman, Reporter #3, Bloodhound
- Marni Nixon as Geese
- J. Pat O'Malley as Bloodhound, Hunting Horse, Master of Hounds, Pearly Drummer, Penguin Waiter, Photographer, Reporter #2
- Thurl Ravenscroft as Hog
- Richard M. Sherman as Penguin Waiter, Male Pearly
- Robert B. Sherman as the "Bird Woman", Pearly Banjo Player
- David Tomlinson as Penguin Waiter, Jockey, Race Track Stewards, Mr. Binnacle, Mary Poppins' Parrot Umbrella
- Ginny Tyler as the Lambs
Awards and Nominations
Mary Poppins is a very successful Disney movie. It has won and been nominated for more Academy Awards than any other Disney film.
- Awards Won:
- Best Actress in a Leading Role for Julie Andrews.
- Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.
- Best Substantially Original Score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman.
- Best Film Editing by Cotton Warburton.
- Best Visual Effects by Peter Ellenshaw, Eustace Lycett and Hamilton Luske.
- Nominations Received:
- Best Art Direction (Color).
- Best Cinematography (Color).
- Best Costume Design (Color).
- Best Director for Robert Stevenson.
- Best Scoring of Music-adaptation or treatment for Irwin Kostal.
- Best Picture.
- Best Sound for Robert O. Cook.
- Best Adapted Screenplay.
