Julie Andrews’ iconic portrayal of Mary Poppins in the 1964 Disney classic may seem all sugar and spice, but the behind-the-scenes saga is a blend of drama, tension, and cinematic magic. From author P.L. Travers’ combative nature to Walt Disney’s micromanagement, the journey of bringing Mary Poppins to the screen was anything but straightforward.
Dick Van Dyke, beloved for his role as Bert, openly admitted his Cockney accent was, in his own words, “the most atrocious in the history of cinema.” His struggles didn’t end there—it was a time marked by personal challenges, including heavy smoking and battles with alcoholism. “I would go to work with terrible hangovers,” he later confessed.
Julie Andrews’ entrance into the world of Mary Poppins was no less turbulent. Travers once rang her in the hospital to interrogate her moral standing just after she had given birth. Despite these rocky beginnings, Andrews’ stellar performance won her the Best Actress Oscar and endeared her to audiences worldwide. Yet, she admits a few “Anglo-Saxon four-letter words” escaped her during one nerve-wracking moment while dangling from the wire for that iconic umbrella scene.
Travers’ dissatisfaction with Disney’s adaptation of her book persisted. Though the film won accolades for its music, including hits like “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” Travers was vocal about her distaste for its “trivial and cloying” nature. Despite this, Disney’s vision triumphed, and Mary Poppins remains a cherished fixture of childhood for many.
Today, Mary Poppins endures as a testament to Disney’s storytelling prowess and Andrews’ unforgettable performance, despite the ‘great behind-the-scenes storms. Each frame holds a story of its own—a delightful blend of whimsy, hardship, and triumph.
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Source: Martin Chilton
