Disney's Long Pursuit for 'Mary Poppins' Rights

Walt Disney's quest for the rights to adapt P.L. Travers' iconic 'Mary Poppins' began as early as 1938, just four years after the release of the original book. Despite numerous attempts over 21 years, Travers was not easily swayed. Finally, in 1959, she consented, but on the condition of having 'final say' over the script.

P.L. Travers' Reluctance Revealed

After two years of script development, Travers visited Disney Studios and reportedly disliked nearly everything. She emphasized the importance of accuracy in the portrayal of Mary, insisting she should never be rude and that the parents couldn't start as neglectful figures.

Who Almost Played Mary Poppins?

Before Julie Andrews was cast, big names like Mary Martin, Bette Davis, and Angela Lansbury were considered for the beloved role. Interestingly, Lansbury made a cameo as a balloon seller in the 2018 sequel, 'Mary Poppins Returns'.

How Julie Andrews Stole the Show

Julie Andrews caught Disney's attention during a performance of 'Camelot'. After a standout performance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show', Disney rushed to see her live. His backstage pitch sealed her fate as Mary Poppins, despite competition from 'My Fair Lady'.

Dick Van Dyke's Passion for His Role

Dick Van Dyke was so eager to play Mr. Dawes Sr. that he offered to do it for free. In a delightful twist, he also made a donation to the California Institute of the Arts, which Disney co-founded.

The Accent Controversy

Van Dyke later referred to his Cockney accent as the 'worst' he's ever done. He humorously claimed it was from a fictional county in northern England. Behind the scenes, he sought help from Irish actor J. Pat O'Malley to nail the accent.

Masterful Backdrops by Peter Ellenshaw

Artist Peter Ellenshaw hand-painted 100 stunning matte backdrops for the film. His cityscape of London used innovative lighting techniques to create a magical, illuminated effect.

Julie's Nerve-Wracking First Scene

The first scene ever filmed was the enchanting 'Jolly Holiday' sequence, which was also the first for Andrews as a film actress. She candidly recalled her nerves at saying her first line.

The Sherman Brothers' Musical Mastery

During the film's development, the Sherman brothers penned nearly 32 songs, with only 14 making the final cut. Disney famously adored 'Feed The Birds'.

Behind the Costumes

To accommodate her flying scenes, Julie Andrews' costumes needed to be specially designed with larger duplicates for the harness.

Creating a Fun Atmosphere for the Actors

Cardboard cutouts of animated characters were used to help actors with their sightlines on set since the actual characters were added in later.

Animated Penguins: A Post-Production Magic Trick

For the iconic dancing scene with the penguins, it was simply Dick Van Dyke on stage without any animated characters, who were inserted later by skilled animators.

Innovative Filming Techniques

In a groundbreaking approach, the 'Jolly Holiday' scenes were filmed using sodium vapor lighting rather than traditional blue or green screens, allowing for seamless animations.

The Intensity of 'Step In Time'

The elaborate 'Step In Time' number required extensive six-week rehearsals due to its complexities, getting Van Dyke into prime shape before filming.

Magic from a Bag

Mary’s bag was ingeniously created through clever editing, combining live action and crew assistance to surprise the child actors.

Smoke-Stairway Innovation

To depict the enchanting smoke staircase, a specially designed 'black sponge stairs' allowed actors to create the illusion of walking on smoke.

Floating Tea Party Secrets

The whimsical tea party scene with Uncle Albert was shot with tilted sets and clever rigging to simulate floating in mid-air.

Unreleased Melodies and Musical Magic

The song 'Practically Perfect' was cut from the film but transformed into the memorable 'Sister Suffragette' at the request of Glynis Johns.

What Could Have Been: 'The Chimpanzoo'

A number labeled 'The Chimpanzoo' was set to follow 'I Love to Laugh' but was scrapped at the last minute, leaving behind a unique story.

Hidden Easter Eggs in Costumes

Costume designer Tony Walton embedded hidden details in Mary Poppins' outfits, giving her an unexpected, vibrant inner life, as revealed by Julie Andrews.

Join the Magic!

Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes fact from 'Mary Poppins' that we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments!