SNMR 3.28: "Mary Poppins"

Julie Andrews celebrates her 72^nd birthday on Monday, October 1^st, so I thought it would be appropriate for SNMR to review her first major movie role, for which she won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1965. That film of course is "Mary Poppins" (1964, G, 139 minutes), starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Ed Wynn, Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson.

Who hasn't seen this movie at least once? Not me, that's for sure. This is one of V's favorite movies and together we've watched it dozens of times. V's even watched it dozens of times without me.

From the DVD's dust case:

Experience the extraordinary animation, dazzling special effects and award-winning music of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins in this fully restored and remastered 2-disc 40^th Anniversary Edition!
Join the "practically perfect" Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) for a "Jolly Holiday" as she magically turns every chore into a game and everyday into a whimsical adventure. Along the way, you'll be enchanted by unforgettable characters such as the multi talented chimney sweep Bert (Dick Van Dyke).
Unpack Mary's magical carpetbag full of bonus features, including an all-new animated short, games and a never before heard deleted song. You won't need a "Spoon Full of Sugar" to love every moment of this timeless Disney classic!

From Martin and Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2007, p. 716-7:

Here's Julie Andrews in her screen debut. She plays a nanny who believes that "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down." Andrews is great in the role and sings ever so sweetly. The song and dance numbers are attractively laid on, with Dick Van Dyke, as Mary's Cockney beau, giving an amusing performance.

Despite Dick Van Dyke's merciless butchering of the Cockney accent, this film definitely is a classic. The script is wonderful and the acting is excellent, if not cheesy and over the top in most places. The songs are syrupy but memorable. David Tomlinson gives a highly underrated performance as Mr. Banks, the beleaguered father and wanna be bank executive. Dick Van Dyke's dual role as the senior Mr. Dawes is brilliant. This DVD should be part of anyone's collection, even if you have no children. I'll supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-ly give this film five out of five stars.