What is it about nannies, governesses and children’s film classics? “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins” are two eternal favourites in this genre. In fact, last month celebrated the 50th anniversary of Mary Poppins.
During the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London, 30 actors dressed as Mary Poppins popped in and battled a 100-foot inflatable Lord Voldemort.
The film itself is presented as Disney’s crowning achievement. A modern magical fairytale celebrated for its special effects, catchy songs and topped with an Oscar-winning performance by Julie Andrews in the title role. In fact, the film bagged five Oscars in all, including the Original Song, for Chim Chim Cheree.
The musical is based on a book of the same title by P.L.Travers. She eventually wrote a series of eight books over a few decades. Disney's daughters liked the Mary Poppins books so much they made him promise to make a film based on them. Disney tried to buy the film rights from the author way back in 1938, but she did not agree until 1961. The movie came out finally in 1964. The relationship between Disney and Travers is detailed in a book and is also the subject matter of a recent Disney film, “Saving Mr Banks”.
The storyJane and Michael are children of the wealthy and uptight Banks couple. They get a pleasant surprise when their new nanny parachutes into their midst using an umbrella. Mary takes the children on a series of fantastic adventures along with her Cockney performer friend, Bert. Mr. Banks is too wrapped up in his work and believes that a British home should be run like a British bank!
Bert convinces Banks that while he is wedded to his job, his whole life and his children’s childhood will pass him by. Mrs. Banks is too caught up in the women’s cause that she has no time for her kids. The father finally changes and his priorities take a 180° turn leading to a happy ending.
What’s in a song?There are 17 songs in the film, a few of which are evergreen hits. The 34-letter song title, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious , is the longest in musical film history. More than that, it captures the zaniness of the film. Songwriter Richard Sherman said it took him and his brother two weeks to come up with the word that was based on a double-talk word from their childhood. “A Spoonful of Sugar helps the medicine go down” is still a favourite with singers old and young.
Nuggets of practical wisdom are encrusted in the lyrics: “In every job that must be done There's an element of fun You find the fun and SNAP! The job’s a game. And every task you undertake Becomes a piece of cake.”
There's even talk of women’s rights and their voting rights in a children’s film that is five decades old! “Though we adore men individually We agree that as a group they're rather stupid.”
