Mary Poppins 40th Anniversary!
 

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HOLLYWOOD — It was almost a "Jolly Holiday" without Mary; Hollywood traffic Tuesday night delayed Julie Andrews' arrival at the 40th anniversary "re-premiere" of Mary Poppins. But just before the clock struck 7, the 69-year-old actress swept in looking supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in a beaded St. John top. (Alas, no flowered hat, carpetbag or parrot-headed umbrella.)
To celebrate the arrival Dec. 14 of the fully restored classic on DVD ($29.99,Walt Disney Home Entertainment), Disney did its best to re-create the film's original 1964 Hollywood premiere: Guests were asked to dress in tuxedos, gowns and fur stoles.

Dancing chimney sweeps, an oom-pah band, sidewalk chalk artists and six real-life waddling South African Blackfoot penguins commanded the red carpet before the arrivals of the film's surviving cast — Andrews; Dick Van Dyke (Bert), 78; Glynis Johns (Mrs. Winifred Banks), 81; and Karen Dotrice (Jane), 49.

Before showtime, footage from the original Tinseltown premiere played on the screen, reminding attendees of the era's glamour and serious star power. Among the guests that historic '64 night: the entire cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show, then in its fourth season. This time around, only Van Dyke and Rose Marie, 81, represented the cast.

Van Dyke remembered talk of a Poppins sequel. "Walt had taken an option on P.L. Travers' (follow-up) book, Mary Poppins Comes Back, and he had every intention of doing the sequel, and I'm sure we would have," Van Dyke said. "But then we lost Walt."

Dotrice, who was 8 when she played Poppins' charge, little Jane Banks, remembers her parents informing her of "Uncle Walt's" death in 1966, followed by news of the death of her Poppins brother, Matthew Garber (Michael Banks), who died of pancreatitis in 1977 at age 21. Dotrice says Andrews was not quite the "practically perfect" nanny she played.

"Julie's a naughty girl," Dotrice revealed. "She swore a lot and smoked back then."

To that, Andrews just laughed, but corrected: "I never smoked, but maybe the occasional four-letter word every once in a while."

So whatever became of Nanny Poppins and her charming chimney sweep? "I like to think they got married and flew away together," Van Dyke said.

Andrews offered an alternate theory: "I'm not sure they got married. I think Mary has a slightly riskier life than that."

Oh - thanks so much for posting that - I LOVE Mary Poppins - one of my favorite movies ever...

I am, however, so annoyed that they're releasing this special edition - why? Because every year since I was like ten I've asked for Mary Poppins for Christmas - never got it - until last year finally lol....someone finally got me the damn movie on DVD.....now I have another one to get lol....well..I guess I can always purchase it for myself...sometimes that's just not as fun though ;)

This is one film I've only ever had on video so I'll def get the special edition DVD. I've always loved this film and my 8 year old loves it too now!

Don't get me started on how excited this makes me.

Get STARTED, Josh!

Coolness, one of my all-time faves. Toot-sweet!

I haven't seen this in its entirety ever. Can I even call myself American?

:eek::eek:

Thanks so much for posting this, Pip! I loved this movie as a child, and have been anxiously awaiting the release of this anniversary edition so I can show it to my girls! They are really excited to see it, after hearing me talk so much about it, lol! Thanks again! :)

Love ~
Claudia

I've never seen it. :shocked: But you can believe that I'll be buying it for lil' missy for Christmas.

I was thinking about taking my daughter for her birthday in May. I must admit I can't imagine Mary Poppins being anyone other that Julie Andrews but I'm sure it would be well worth going to see

Pip

Ok... so now I'm very envious! You met Julie twice? It has always been a dream of mine to meet her! What happened when you met her? Spill!

Pip

That is really awesome!!! And no - she can no longer sing :( I'm not clear on the exact story - but didn't her pipes get damanged in a surgery long ago? So sad - because she's got one of the most beautiful voices ever...

Even though it got slammed by critics - I loved Princess Diaries 2 - but did you notice that in some scenes her voice is getting quite hoarse... :distress:

Still - I did enjoy the talk-singing scene - though it would have been better if Raven Simone had been left out of it completely :nod:

She can sing a little. Her range is just limited. That is a concept we have all gotten used to....
:laugh:

I worked on this dvd, and got to hear her sing a few times and it sent chills up my spine. She is a total class act.

I love Julie Andrews. She's very classy and has incredible talent; one of the greatest stars of all time. Still never got over seeing her topless in SOB, though. :laugh:

I think Sparks worked on the new DVD, if memory serves me correctly.

:eek: what's SOB?