Mary Poppins* (1964)

Those who know me well know that I do, in fact, have a soft spot for cheerful good fun. It’s hard to get more cheerful than Mary Poppins. It’s vibrant, playful, and even a little daring in the filmmaking. Some films lose their luster over time as special effects become more dated and obvious. This does not hold Mary Poppins back at all. Full of sass and wit, this one charms its way almost to the top of my rating scale.

The Banks children are quite a handful, going through nanny after nanny. They have a no-nonsense father and a flighty mother who seems more interested in women’s suffrage than child-rearing. Enter Mary Poppins- a lady-like young woman who insists on proper behavior from children but also knows when to throw the rule book away (and how!). She introduces the Banks children to etiquette, manners, and brand new ways of having fun that are sure to make their parents freak out.

Let’s get the few and largely meaningless quibbles out first. Some of the special effects (like when Mary has the kids cleaning their room) do show their age and may look hokey. Many of the prim and proper adults set bad examples for their kids- a workaholic father and an absentee mother? Where’s child services? Finally, Dick Van Dyke delivers a noticeably poor Cockney accent.

But who cares? Julie Andrews is delightful as the spirited, firm-but-fun Mary Poppins. Dick Van Dyke’s Bert is warm and inviting. The kids aren’t even very annoying. All the principle characters are a perfect fit and help the story unfold naturally.

Other than a handful of dated special effects, the filmmaking is remarkable in every way. The songs are great, the hybrid live action and animated sequences are darn near perfect, and there are plenty of other practical and special effects shots that still look great. This film is nothing short of a textbook example of how to make a family movie. All the ingredients complement each other in just the right ways. It is a time-honored classic that still pleases children and parents alike. Naysayers be darned, Mary Poppins is a classic.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5