Mary Poppins

Robert Stevenson, USA 1964, 140 minutes

Chim-chimminy Chim-chimminy Chim Chim Cher-ee...

Yes, it's that film. Disney's classic musical in all its Technicolor glory. Winner of five Oscars (and nominated for eight more), including Best Actress, Song, Editing, Visual Effects and Original Musical Scoring, this is the forever popular tale of the scheming manipulative nanny who forces her ideas and regimes onto all in the household.

In her big screen debut, Julie Andrews is perfect in the role, charming and sweet, with ever a song or a smile close to hand. The family, headed by a stereotypically fuddy-duddy city banker, have their lives, and their outlook on life, changed by Mary Poppins. The children especially are encouraged to rebel against the values and morals that have been instilled in them since they were born. But all for the right reasons of course...

Supposedly based on P.L. Travers books, this film is really just an excuse for some excellent songs and musical numbers. This is where Dick van Dyke's (allegedly) Cockney chimneysweep (and other characters) comes in, and everyone is treated to his superb song and dance skills that no `60s childrens musical could be without. "A Spoonful Of Sugar", "Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious", "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and "Let's go fly a kite" are all outstanding, and some of the dance sequences are unequalled even today. Leave all nagging doubts aside, except perhaps just what is in Mary Poppins's carpet bag?

"The sheer exuberance should tickle even the most jaded fancy" - Time Out

Review by Scott Keir
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97