Mary Poppins (Disney) (1964)

Elusive Mary Poppins is Captured on Screen at Long Last by Walt Disney From the day the enchanting, elusive Mary Poppins character appeared on the American scene, straight from the pen of P. L. Travers, she was taken to the hearts of youngsters and their parents alike everywhere. Now, the whimsical nursemaid, whose amazing out-ofthis-world adventures have been related in five children’s classics — “Mary Poppins,’ “Mary Poppins Comes Back,” “Mary Poppins Opens the Door,” “Mary Poppins in the Park” and “Mary Poppins from A to Z” — at long last steps from the printed page to become an unforgettable living, breathing personality through the motion picture magic of Walt Disney and the inspired performance of vivacious English singing star Julie Andrews in Disney’s exciting production, “Mary: Poppins.” Based on the ‘Mary Poppins” books by P. L. Travers and enhanced by some of the brightest, most original songs ever written for a film musical, this Disney fantasy emerges as one of the supreme achievements in the distinguished forty-year career of the master showman. Fourth Generation Actress Glynis Johns Stars in Walt Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ The versatile and talented British star, Glynis Johns, comes from a theatrical family that boasts four generations in the entertainment profession. The vivacious velvet-voiced, doe-eyed blonde actress, currently starred with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and David Tomlinson in Walt Disney’s sparkling new musical feature, “Mary Poppins,” is descended from The Steele Payne Bellringers, a renowned musical touring company in Australia formed by her maternal greatgrandfather. Mr. Payne and his three daughters — all musicians — comprised the company, each playing one or more instruments. Glynis’ grandmother was one of the first accomplished women violinists of the time. The Bellringers toured Australia, New Zealand and South Africa with their exceptional musical programs, and any daughter contemplating matrimony was expected to choose a mate who could make a contribution, as a musician, to the company. Glynis’ mother, Alys Steele, showing promise of becoming an outstanding pianist, took a sabbatical from the family musical show to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London and to study in Vienna. While in London she met and married the now-famous actor, Mervyn Johns, who was then a student at the Royal Academy of Arts. Although Johns was not a musician, his acting ability was put to ready use by the Steeles, and he presented dramatic scenes between the musical numbers. It was while the company was on tour in Pretoria, South Africa, that Glynis was born, and when only three weeks old, she was carried on stage and presented to her first audience by her proud parents. Alys and Mervyn Johns returned to England to embark on their individual careers as concert pianist ors Mat POP 1G GLYNIS JOHNS is both docile wife and crusading suffragette as Mrs. Banks in Walt Disney's musical-fantasy, ‘‘Mary Poppins.” Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke star. and actor when Glynis was about six. She was enrolled in a ballet class in Bristol and was soon acclaimed a child dancing prodigy. At the age of ten, she made dance history by receiving a degree to teach ballet and at twelve she was an advanced ballet teacher. As Glynis was about to join the famed Sadler’s Wells Ballet, she became acquainted with the noted actor, Leo Genn, who was influential in her making her acting debut. She was sufficiently smitten by the theatre to turn from a successful dancing career to devote her entire attention to acting. Since then there has been no lapse in a brilliant career that has propelled her through an enviable variety of roles in both theatre and motion pictures. THE BIRD WOMAN, beloved and picturesque character of the Mary Poppins books, is brought to life by Academy Award winning actress Jane Darwell in the Walt Disney musical-fantasy based on the P. L. Travers stories “Mary Poppins” first appeared on the literary scene in 1934. Since then, people continually ask the author if the now famous English nanny was modeled from a living person. “No, she wasn’t,” Miss Travers is quick to answer. “I didn’t even think her up. She just brushed past me and said, “You take it down.’ ”’ When Disney tried to acquire the movie rights, he learned they were not for sale. In the meantime, other producers, in turn, considered the Poppins stories perfect material for a Broadway musical, a television special and a motion picture, but their offers too were rejected. Several years ago, the paths of Disney and Miss Travers happened to cross in London. Walt told her of his interest in Mary Poppins and inquired again about the movie rights. The noted authoress confided she had never considered a theatrical, TV or film offer for fear of what might happen to her stories, and particularly her heroine, in the dramatizing process. Disney’s integrity and artistic endeavors impressed the English writer and their meeting concluded with her verbally agreeing to come to Hollywood at some future date to discuss a Disney film approach to “Mary Poppins.” If it met with her approval, she would sell Walt the movie rights. On Disney’s return to the studio, the project was set in motion. Several months later, with preliminary work completed, Miss Travers was summoned for story conferences. She was very pleased with the treatment her beloved story was receiving. Contracts were drawn and signed, and the beloved nanny and her amazing adventures were on their way to becoming immortalized on celluloid. During one of the conferences, a Disney writer inquired if Mary Poppins was considered ageless. “Not at all,” Miss Travers answered, positively. “She is precisely twenty-seven.” Coincidentally, this is precisely the age of the lovely and talented Julie Andrews, who makes her screen debut in the title role. Filmed in brilliant Technicolor, “Mary Poppins” also stars Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson and Glynis Johns. Robert Stevenson directed from a screenplay by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi. Walsh was also co-producer on the Buena Vista release. Jane Darwell Plays Most Unusual Role In ‘Mary Poppins’ HKighty four years young and still going strong is beloved character actress Jane Darwell, who turns in another of her memorable screen portrayals as the Bird Woman in Walt Disney’s exciting musical feature, “Mary Poppins.” Having chalked up an amazing record of more than 200 films, Miss Darwell considers her role in the Julie Andrews-Dick Van Dyke starrer the most unique of her entire career. “I played all my scenes with a flock of pigeons and it isn’t easy with twenty-five or thirty birds fluttering around or perched all over you,” she recalls. “However, we became fast friends and they never up-staged me.” Miss Darwell says her earliest ambition was to be a circus fat lady but, since she could not tip the scales that much in her favor, she turned to the theatre. She had her earliest training in stock and eventually ended up on Broadway. She started her screen career in silent films and has been active in, motion pictures ever since. Miss Darwell received an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress of 1940 in “The Grapes of Wrath,” and has contributed outstanding performances in such films as “Back Street,” “The Ox-Bow Incident,” “Three Godfathers,” “Gone With the Wind” and “My Darling Clementine.” Mat POP 2E ©1964 Walt Disney Productions HIGH-LARITY—Ed Wynn and Dick Van Dyke laugh themselves up to the ceiling in this whimsical scene from Walt Disney's musical-fantasy, ‘‘Mary Poppins." Julie Andrews plays the title role in the Technicolor production. Academy Award Talent Sparks Walt Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Four Academy Award winners loan their various talents to Walt Disney’s dazzling Technicolor musical, “Mary Poppins,” and the result is evident in every department. Jane Darwell, who won the coveted Oscar for her unforgettable performance as Ma Joad in “The Grapes of Wrath,” portrays the role of the kindly Bird Woman in the filmization of the Mary Poppins books by P. L. Travers. Top costume designer Bill Thomas, who executed the elaborate wardrobe for stars Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson and Glynis Johns, received his Oscar for the period costumes in “Spartacus.” Musical director Irwin Kostal, who supervised, arranged and conducted the music for the Disney production, won his Academy Award for the scoring of “Westside Story.” And interior designer Emile Kuri, a two-time recipient of the Oscar for set decoration on “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “The Heiress,” has created the interior decor for the elaborate sets in the new Disney feature. In addition, four of the film’s most respected performers received Academy Award nominations for outstanding past portrayals in the supporting actress-actor categories. Glynis Johns was nominated for. her performance in “The Sundowners;” Ed Wynn for “The Diary of Anne Frank;” Hermione Baddeley, “Room at the Top;” and Elsa Lanchester twice, for her portrayals in “Come to the Stable,” and “Witness for the Prosecution.” Robert Stevenson directed from a screenplay by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi. Walsh was also co-producer on the Buena Vista release. David Tomlinson Makes Singing Bow In Walt Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins 7 A veteran of over thirty-five British films, versatile David Tomlinson reveals his singing talent for the first time in Walt Disney’s musical feature, “Mary Poppins.” “T sang in the church choir as a boy and in school theatricals,” he confessed to musical director Irwin Kostal, “but never professionally.” In an audition, Kostal quickly discovered that the star possessed a fine baritone voice, untrained but well modulated. With a little coaching he was soon singing like a pro. Tomlinson not only makes his singing debut in the Disney filmization of the famed Mary Poppins books by P. L. Travers but he is featured in five solo numbers, “The Life I Lead,” “A British Bank,” “A Man Has Dreams,” “Fidelity Fiduciary Bank” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” specially composed for the film by tunesmiths Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. Realizing his accomplishment, Tomlinson was quick to quip, “With a bit more work I might even make it at the Met.” Filmed in brilliant Technicolor “Mary Poppins” also stars Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and Glynis Johns. Robert Stevenson directed from a screenplay by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi. Walsh was also co-producer on the Buena Vista release. Mat POP 1H DAVID TOMLINSON is the lordly-buthuman Mr. Banks of Walt Disney's ‘‘Mary Poppins.” He stars with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and Glynis Johns in the Technicolor musical-fantasy.