Friday, August 29, 2008

Mary Poppins

On this date in 1964, one of my favorite movies of all time was released to the theaters! Happy anniversary to Walt Disney's fabulous production of Mary Poppins, based on the series of books by P.L. Travers. If you read my blog with any regularity, you may already know that when I really love something, I can become a wee bit obsessed. Of course I have the original soundtrack LP:
And the movie on VHS (If I were wealthy, I would upgrade everything to DVD - can't do it):
I also have the piano music book, the soundtrack on cassette and CD, and this Big Golden Book from 1964:
and also this Little Golden Book:
and this one:
and the Whitman book. My sister had this when we were kids; she still has her copy - I had to get one, too!
I have also collected all of the original books by P.L. Travers, but they are packed away so I can't show you those today.
So, okay - maybe more than a WEE bit obsessed. Did I already say that I LOVE this movie? And all of the actors in it, and the animation, and the sets, and the wonderful music and songs by The Sherman Brothers!!

13 comments:

Tina Dawn said...

It is hard to pick a favorite part of the movie, but I am very fond of the chimney sweeps dancing among the chimney pots on the roofs of London. Love T

The Viewliner Limited said...

...and we continue with the cool stuff! I love this stuff!

Elizabeth Fedorko said...

My dad took me to see Mary Poppins when in first opened when I was four! I now have a wonderful prop parrot umbrella--love it! I have a Mary Popping paper mobile, unpunched out in the box for you, if you would like to trade! :)
XXOO, Beth

Anonymous said...

I love MP! My favorite scene is the dancing chimney sweeps. Must go look and see if I still have on vhs .. somewhere.

ginny said...

We love Mary Poppins and we took our girls to see it in London in the theatre this past January as a family treat for my 40th birthday. The theatre version is very much based on the P.L. Travers books and is less sugary than the film (which we also love) with some extra songs and a scary nursery scene with all the children's toys coming to life! It was fantastic. We bought the show cd and have it in the car... we have just been singing songs from it on our way home from my mothers house.
Love your blog
ginny x

Heidi Ann said...

Ginny - It is an absolute dream of mine to see the show -I'd prefer to see it in New York or London - but I don't think that's likely to happen! Thank you for visiting, and I'm happy that you are enjoying my blog!

Twyla and Lindsey said...

An absolute classic! Too bad they don't make movies like this one anymore. You are too funny with your obsessions. Where do you keep all your stuff? Twyla

Dave said...

One of our family's all-time favorite movies, and one I never get tired of. When we bought a used piano for our kids about six or seven years ago, there were a bunch of old music books thrown in. One of them was the complete score for Mary Poppins, the original 1964 edition! To this day, the song "Feed the Birds" chokes me up (and I'm a guy, for cryin' out loud!). I later learned it was one of Walt Disney's personal favorite songs.

Heidi Ann said...

Believe me, I can relate, Dave. I love that song, too. I have that same music book you wrote about - how great that it was included with your piano! And I loved that Jane Darwell played the role of the Bird Woman! She was in The Grapes Of Wrath , and Shirley Temple movies that I LOVE, too. And of course, Arthur Treacher was in Shirley Temple movies, too. I love all of those character actors- Mary Poppins had such a great cast!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I was 10 years old when Mary Poppins came out. I saw it at Radio City Music Hall with my grandmother. I will never forget it. I loved everything about that movie and that day. Thanks for the reminder. Susan

Unknown said...

I love MP too. I have the Sheet Music/Song Book that goes with that record that you have. I just love the colors!

Melanie said...

Have you ever seen the Mary Poppins board game? I had it in the early and mid seventies, but got rid of it. I bought it on etsy a couple of years ago, but it's missing pieces. I just think the board itself is so pretty.

Heidi Ann said...

Melanie - I have seen the board game. I want one!