DVD Movies: Mary Poppins DVD Movie

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Where to begin? This is such an extraordinary movie!! It has everything that a great kid's movie should have: a wonderful story that teaches strong family values; a brilliant cast; absolutely stunning special effects (even by today's standards); and wonderful music. Here are just a few of the things I like best about "Mary Poppins:"

THE ACTING is absolutely brilliant! Julie Andrews won a Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Mary Poppins. She imbues her character with the reserve so prevalent in British society during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. At the same time, she manages to convey a wonderful sense of joy, kindness, and compassion toward the children. Dick Van Dyke is superb as the carefree chimney sweep ans jack-of-all-trades, Bert. His relaxed comic style is perfectly matched to his character. And, while his Cockney accent doesn't quite deliver the goods accurately, it's nevertheless pretty good. (By the way, look for Mr. Van Dyke in a secondary role in this film. I won't tell you which one... but it's unlikely you'll miss him!) David Tomlinson is the third stand-out member of this fabulous ensemble cast. He's practically perfect as the pompous, stuffy martinet of a father, George Banks. Other cast members are excellent as well, especially Glynis Johns as Winifred Banks; and Ed Wynn in his hilarious role as the laughing man, Uncle Albert.

THE WRITING: Screen writers Bill Walsh and Don Da Gradi adapted "Mary Poppins" from the series of British children's books authored by P.L. Travers (1899-1996) This is a tender story that addresses many family issues that were as problematic at the beginning of the twentieth century as they are today: responsibility, accountability, and the proper role of parents in the rearing of their children. In the Banks household, we find a family with many of the same problems that afflict today's families: two parents, each focused on their own interests, each so busy with their own lives that they have precious little time to forge and maintain loving bonds with their children. What are the possible consequences for the children? How can these problems be addressed and solved? The beauty of this story is that it's done in a way that's easy for kids, even younger ones (I'd say ages six and older) to understand and learn from.

THE MUSIC: All of the music and lyrics in "Mary Poppins" are original... composed by Richard Sherman and his brother Robert. This film has some of the best songs ever to appear in a movie! Each song is in itself a classic: "A Spoonful of Sugar;" "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious;" (I think that's how it's spelled!); "Feed the Birds" (my personal favorite); Academy Award-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee;" "Step in Time;" and "Let's Go Fly a Kite" are but a few of the magical, sometimes whimsical, but always "practically perfect" songs that make this film such a wonderful musical experience.

And then there's THE MAGIC... the special effects! In its day, "Mary Poppins" was on the "cutting edge" of movie-making technology. Examples of these (what were then) ultra-modern special effects: this was one of the first films to use miniature robotics for animation. (That robin that lands on the window sill during "A Spoonful of Sugar" is a miniature robotic bird!) And, of course, this is also one of the first films to combine real-life actors and animation extensively (the entire sequence with Mary, Bert and the children inside the sidewalk chalk picture.) These special effects may seem a bit tame when compared with today's computer-generated graphics, but make no mistake: they're still eye-popping!

Go beyond all the glitz and glitter of the film, and you'll find at the heart of "Mary Poppins" a simple story about family, with important lessons for all of us - children and adults alike - on how we can make our homes better and happier places to live.

By today's standards, "Mary Poppins" may seem a little old-fashioned, even dated. But it's still a great kid's movie! With a well written, touching story, superb music, and outstanding special effects, it's at once brilliantly funny, poignant, joyous, carefree, and just plain marvelous entertainment.

The chalk drawing is courtesy of Bert the erstwhile chimney sweep and it's he also who introduces us to Cherry Lane and its unhappy inhabitants, the Banks family. Unhappy because the two children Michael and Jane are being neglected while the parents pursue a banking job and the suffragette movement. What's needed is a good nanny to take things in hand, and right on cue, down lands Mary Poppins on the doorstep. Michael and Jane are convinced she has magical powers and even magical friends, but Father is convinced otherwise, although he can never best her in conversation. How the Banks family get in touch with each other and the power of familial love is the crux of the matter, and it couldn't happen without the intervention of Mary Poppins.

Julie Andrews is a stand-out in her debut role, and never looked lovelier than here in her dark wig with a proper amount of hair--not that close cropped signature hairstyle she's had since "The Sound of Music" that does nothing for her. She's a prim know it all with a lovely soprano voice, who slyly indulges in magic from time to time. Dick Van Dyke has a double role as Bert, her roguish beau and as old Mr. Dawes, the greedy head of the bank where Mr. Banks works. David Tomlinson is great as the civil servant dad, the sort of fellow cariacatured by John Cleese so well. Glynnis Johns has less to do as Mother, but still good. And other supporting roles amply filled by Reta Shaw, Hermione Baddeley, Arthur Treacher, Ed Wynn, Elsa Lanchester, and Jane Darwell (in a nonspeaking role as the Bird Woman of St. Paul's, her last role). And not to forget those wonderful child actors playing Michael and Jane! Not a moppet between them.

"Mary Poppins" is a delight from start to finish. Set yourself about finding it and pop it in the VCR asap.