Mary Poppins Mussafer

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed watching Mary Poppins. After watching Snow White as well as rewatching other old disney movies, my memory of the movies always seemed to overtake the actual movies. What I mean by this is that I was slightly let down by the movie as my memory had made it out to be better than it actually was. However, this was not the case with Mary Poppins. The entire movie I was smiling and tapping my foot to the catchy and fun disney songs. I enjoyed that Disney made Mary Poppins more "disney" by making her seem a little less harsh. I loved the adventures she would take the children on as well as the humor Disney brought to her. I particularly enjoyed Mary Poppin's and Bert's relationship in the movie. I felt that Disney made them seem to have this adorable little love/friendship that made me smile the entire time they were together. As we spoke about in class, Disney creates more of a protagonist in Mr. Banks which I really think helped the story. The story in the book was more about the adventures the kids had with Mary Poppins and less about the family she helps "fix". I was very surprised by the relationship that Mr. and Mrs. Banks have in the movie, especially at the beginning. As I said in class, I could not tell if this superiority that Mr. Banks seemed to have was on purpose to dramatize the time period in which the story takes place, or if this was just the way that Disney viewed husband and wife relationships to be. The wife, while much more sympathetic to the children, has no power in the household and is always just complimenting and agreeing with Mr. Banks. I was so shocked by this as I did not see this when I first watched the movie or when I read the book.

I brought this up at the end of class but I was shocked when I saw the scene where the children run into Bert in the city. I had been swept by Disney's charm and happy music until I saw this seen. I was so caught off guard to see a scene where the children are screaming in fear as a black hand holds on to them in a dark alley. Unlike in the chimney sweep scene, in this scene Bert is completely covered in black making you wonder if there is an underlying message or symbol that Disney is trying to portray. While Mary Poppins has many good messages in it, this scene was very disheartening to see such an off-putting scene.
I think Bert's constant job change was a way to show children that they can be whatever they want to be just as Bert is. He is the happiest person in the storyline as he views everything with a half glass view approach even when the reality of the situation may be that he never has a stable job and income source.

I was much more satisfied with the ending to the movie rather than to the book. I liked how the book really showed a glimpse of Mary Poppins sadness for having to leave the children. This sadness really shows the love she feels for the children and how her job is not to have a relationship with the children but for the children to have it with their parents.

Disney Mary Poppins Response

    Disney's version of Mary Poppins (1964), is significantly more progressive than I expected it to be, yet it is not quite as progressive as it appears to be.
    To begin, there are certainly ideas and actions in the movie that were overtly progressive and somewhat shocking considering the age in which the movie was produced. The obvious example of a progressive idea in the movie is Mrs. Banks' participation in a female suffrage movement. On its own, the portrayal of a women's rights activist in a movie in 1964 is quite open-minded, but Mrs. Banks' words regarding the movement are further evidence of a progressive theme in the movie. For example, in a description of why she's fighting for voting rights, she claims "as a group [men are] rather stupid". Her claim here not only attributes an intelligence to women, but it also insults men. Furthermore, whereas in other Disney texts, Women are passive and domestic, Mrs. Banks attempts to take control of the destiny of all future women and is not merely confined to a matronly character. Now I do recognize that Mrs. Banks is quite submissive to her husband. Nevertheless, the idea of a woman being proactive and fighting for her own rights is a notable difference from the other Disney texts that I have encountered up to this point. In addition, Mary Poppins seems to have a certain control over the male characters in the play -- or at the very least, she is certainly not submissive to them. Evidence of this control can be seen in the street painting outing. Even though Bert suggests the idea of going into the painting, both the children and he are completely reliant on Mary Poppins' abilities in order to actually do so. The idea of the man being reliant on Mary Poppins provides a great deal of power to Mary Poppins, which is somewhat unusual in a male-female relationship in 1964. Furthermore, perhaps a more notable instance of Mary Poppins' lack of submissiveness to men is when she orders for both Bert and herself. Although it is only a small action, it allows Mary Poppins to appear powerful over Bert in the scene, and in no way reliant on him.
    There are, however, certain scenes and ideas that may seem quite progressive on the surface, but upon taking a deeper look into them they may be somewhat problematic. For instance, even though Bert is characterized as gentle, and the creed of his kind is "forbearance",  some of his actions he is not so innocent. For example, while out for food with Mary Poppins, Bert lists all of the other women he has taken to the same restaurant. Bert then sings a song about Mary being his favorite customer to bring there, which on its own seems harmless. Nevertheless, considering the amount of women he lists in the song, it seems entirely possible that he attempts to woo her with it. As such, the scene as a whole serves to objectify women, and it takes away from the previously mentioned feminist tones in the movie. The main issue with the story, however, is the ending. There is a happy ending, and the father (and the mother a little bit too) does realize that family is important. Nevertheless, I do find two issues with the ending. My first issue is that the father recently learned that making money and creating a legacy for himself is not as important as being a true father to his children. Nevertheless, when he is offered a spot on the chair at the Bank (a job that undeniably carries more prestige and pays more generously than his old job), he gleefully accepts it without any hesitation. This action, perhaps does not completely take away from the lessons Mr. Banks learned in the movie. Nevertheless, it does suggest that there is still a large value to be placed on legacy and wealth. Furthermore, although I do agree with the message that Disney is trying to send here, it does result in yet another instance of the glorification of being in a wealthy, white family.
    In conclusion, even though there are some ideas that are somewhat old-fashioned, Disney's Marry Poppins largely relays a progressive theme. Although by nature, Nannies often will come across as strong and capable, the extent of the feminist themes in the movie go far beyond simply the nature of Nannies. When considering the year the movie was made, Disney certainly does portray females and certain values in a surprisingly progressive way.

Mary Poppins Movie Response

We can tell right off the bat that Mary Poppins is going to have some magical powers due to the fact that she appears initially on a cloud. Additionally, we also know it's very "Disney-esque" because it starts off immediately with a lot of songs. Admiral Boom's house looks like how I expected it, so it seems as though the movie is going to at least stick somewhat to the book. Additionally, the nanny quitting and leaving the house is the same. Also, similarly to the book, the adults like Admiral Boom and Mrs. Banks so far already seem somewhat stupid/unaware. The silliness incurred, however, such as Boom firing his cannon at 6, for example, does definitely fit the Disney vibe. There are a lot of gender themes already prevalent through Mister and Misses Banks, each carrying their own agenda promoting their own sex's authority through song.

I think it's definitely interesting how all the kids really want is attention, as Michael subtly hints that if his father helped him make the kite, it wouldn't have gone as poorly. However, Mr. Banks being is unaware of his children and strict to his perfectly planned life (a satire on businessmen for sure) is too dumb to understand this, which is both Traver's and Disney's way of depicting how adults seem to misunderstand children and not be there for them. I like how the movie (and Traver) mock many of the things that are held in such high esteem in adult life, such as being following the rules, while it rewards adventuring away from them and being free. The kids just sang their nanny song to their parents and once again, unsurprisingly, Mr. Banks did not take the hint, but it's apparent that Mrs. Banks takes more note of such things based on her reaction. Unsurprisingly, something the movie didn't change once again is the way the kids' advertisement blew up through the chimney to summon Mary Poppins from the East.

Mary is like what George Banks asks for but also what the kids asked for; she comes off as strict, to the point, and firm, however, her actual traits are closer to what the kids wanted. Mary shows off her fantasy immediately by riding up the stair's side, which is similar to the books as well. Mary Poppins pulling things out of her bag is exactly like how I remembered it from my childhood, but that's just about the only thing I remember. Jane first shares in some of Mary's fantastical power while cleaning because she's fond of Mary, while Michael struggles to gain power until he finally starts smiling and having a good time. Mary unsurprisingly denies the magic in front of the chimney cleaner when he says she takes people to magical places. Additionally, it seems like the chimney cleaner is acting like a second-hand narrator to the story. This started at the beginning when he introduced everyone and the idea is continued here with his drawings on the sidewalk.

Of course, when the chimney cleaner tries to do magic, it doesn't work, but when Mary does it, they all are transported into the art. I would say that in this Disney version so far, Mary is far more likable and agreeable than in the book. She's not as strict or as vain, and while she mildly retains some of these qualities, it's by no means the same as in the book. I think Disney did this very much on purpose because he wants Mary Poppins to be likable since she's the Title character. The turtles Mary and the chimney cleaner ride on in the water are DEFINITELY the same ones from Snow White.

Also, Disney just did not hold back with the silliness/making the story child-friendly with the extremely excessive amount of songs and dancing. The combination of animation and real life is also very interesting and I'm sure it was one of the first times it had ever been premiered, which would've been a technological marvel for its time. The individual stories that comprise the actual Mary Poppins novel are not all used in the movie, but the ones that are, are extended in my opinion to make the feature-length film flow together. Going to the races is also changed in the movie significantly from the book, as it's just a quick experience here that seems more of an excuse to once again show off Disney's technology. I entirely forgot that "Supercalafajalistickespialadojus" came from Mary Poppins until Mary started singing it again. Also, her notable and well-known use of her umbrella did (even though it came later and was based on it) remind me of the scene from Guardians of the Galaxy where Yondu is compared to Mary Poppins.

Mary makes everything enjoyable for the kids like cleaning, but even medicine (if you couldn't guess from the song) even though it's something kids traditionally hate. Once again, we reinforce the idea that Mary Poppins denies her fantasies as she is now denying the horse race ever happened or her involvement in it, similar to the book, even though the happenings were different. While there are similarities between the movie and the book so far, I would say that they're more different than alike. Uncle Albert and Bert laughing like crazy and floating lowkey seems like a metaphor for drugs and being high to me. The floating tea party is here, but once again differently, as in the books, it's with Mr. Wigg.

Mary Poppins's manipulative side definitely showed in that last scene where she convinced Mr. Banks to take the kids to the bank and not fire her. Bert and Mary Poppins also help the children get closer to their father through having them go to the bank with him because when that goes South, Bert talks to them and makes them realize that their father's pragmatic life is actually sacrificial for their sake.

Watching all this chimney action really reiterates how well Disney can waste time with a bunch of songs and dancing... Finally, near the end now, Bert and Banks are having this interaction that's making Banks realize how he hasn't been able to interact with his kids or be there for them. Mr. Banks's punishment is extremely childish, but he finally sees Mary Poppin's side. I really can't tell if the point is that Mr. Banks's madness is a good thing or not. Finally, as Mary Poppins is leaving, she is acting more like the Mary Poppins I'd expected from the book. Far more cold and strict. However, even though Mary Poppins is leaving, Mr. Banks is finally in a position to take care of the children.

Mary Poppins Movie Response

This post will be a progression of my thoughts and observations as I watch the movie.

• Mrs. Banks seems to be a strong activist for women's suffrage 
• Mrs. Banks is a lot more cheery and even goes on to call men “stupid
• Mrs. Banks seems like she is a more understanding and caring mother in the movie.She seems to want to do what  makes the children happy and thus listens to what they have to say more than Mr. Banks. 
• As Mr. Banks walks in, you can immediately tell by the way he acts that the thinks he knows whats best and doesn’t seem to listen to what anyone has to say.
• In the movie they actually show Katie Nana and her leaving.
• Instead of Mrs. Banks writing a flyer about wanting a nanny, Mr. Banks insists on doing it.
• Mr. Banks wants a proper “British” and militant nanny
• In the book, Mary Poppins shows up in front of their door before any other Nannies have the opportunity to come, but in the movie nannies line up outside the door before you see Mary Poppins. However they are blown away by the East Wind.
• Mary Poppins is very up front from the start, just like from in the book.
• she also speaks to Mr. Banks about having the job and not Mrs. Banks
• Mr. Banks seems to having a bigger role in the movie than in the book
• Mary Poppins asks for every Tuesday off instead of Every Third Thursday. I wonder why Disney changed the days.
• Mrs. Banks expects a nanny to be firm, strict, and mold them into good human beings
• This movie is definitely more comedic than the book
• Mary Poppins is clearly not as firm and strict with them as in the book or as strict as Mrs. Banks wants her to be
• She replaces the small mirror in the room with a bigger mirror so that she could see her face better (will still see some vanity in Mary Poppins)
• She has a thing for “beauty”
• In this movie she immediately measures the children’s behavior but in the first book she does not do this and gives them delicious tasting medicine instead. It is not until “Mary Poppins Comes Back” that she decides to measure how they behaved while she was gone.
• Mary Poppins is “Practically perfect in every way”
• Mary Poppins has a sweet disposition and wants to make the children’s work into a game thereby fulfilling their desire to have a nanny that provides them with games
• She is singing the song! "A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down!" However, I always thought that in the song she actually gave them some sugar to take some medicine. I guess that was just a metaphor.
• Mary Poppins seems to use her magic to clean and tidy up. What surprised me, however, was that the children seemed to somehow obtain that same magic of being able to clean up with a snap of their fingers. 
• She has tricked them into enjoying their chores and cleaning up their room. 
• There is a narrator type man and he seems to also be the artist that Mary Poppins is friends with. 
• The artist, Bert tries to tell them that weird magical things happen when you are with Mary Poppins but she tries to deny it
• Its as though Mary Poppins needs to hear someone compliment her
• There are animated animals with real life people. The animals are really cute. Again, we see the typical woodland creatures.
• There is a whole song about how special Mary is. Also the kids have seemed to disappeared while everyone in this fantasy world is singing about Mary Poppins and they don’t even realize it or care. 
• There are subtle comments about men. They mention how men oppress women and how they have advantage over women. Mary Poppins even says, “you never think of pressing your advantage.”
• Mary starts to get jealous when Bert names other girls.
• Bert does a silly dance with the penguins. It is very comedic. You can clearly see how Disney adjusted the story to make it more of a movie that children would enjoy.
• Mary Poppins is still big on showing proper etiquette and manners
• I love the random animated characters mixed in with the real life people!
• HAHA. I love the talking animals, especially the horse and fox. 
• Disney is definitely trying to show off their animation skills. 
• Mary Poppins wins the horse race without even really trying and by just asking some men if she could pass them. Here again, we see how perfect Mary Poppins.
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
• The medicine is just like in the book! Mary Poppins hiccups from drinking the rum punch! Disney probably wouldn’t have had her drink rum in a children’s movie today
• Mary Poppins starts to deny the magical things that happened just like she did in the book.
• Julie Andrews has a very nice voice.
• I am also tired while watching this so her lullaby is making me sleepy. 
• Admiral Bloom seems crazy.
• The shoe shiner guy that always naps doesn’t seem to be in this movie. Only the women workers are in this movie.
• Everyone seems to be extremely happy in the household since Mary Poppins arrived except Mr. Banks.
• We see Mary Poppins talk to Andrew just as she does in the story.
• Laughing Uncle Albert reminds me a lot of the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland
• Why is Bert there at Uncle Albert’s house as well?
• The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! This reminds me so much of Alice in Wonderland. 
• In the book, Mr. Bank was pleased with everything that was happening and how everyone was acting while Mary Poppins was there. However, I guess it was because he was never present enough to really understand what was going on. In the movie he seems to be upset with Mary Poppins and how everyone is acting.
• Mrs. Banks is a suffragette and wants to go to a rally
• Mary Poppins sort of tricks Mr. Banks in to spending time with his children.
• Mr. Banks says, he must get rid of all of their “sugary-female thinking” and Mrs. Banks is annoys by this statement 
• Mary Poppins tells the kids about the Bird Woman in the movie. However, in the book the children are the ones that knew about her and Mary Poppins did not like her. in the movie, Mary Poppins makes the Bird Woman seem nice and magical. 
• They only talk to Michael, and not Jane, about investing money and getting rich.
• I don’t think that the children ever hang out with their father outside of the home in the book.
• Everyone is going crazy for money in the bank.
• Bert makes the children feel as though everyone is always looking after them  but no one looks after Mr. Banks (the father). The father is always caught “fending for himself.” Bert makes the children feel sorry for their father.
• Mary Poppins gives in to doing what the kids really want to do, but in the book, Mary Poppins always seems to say, “no.”
• Mary Poppins seems to fit the “militant” aspect that Mr. Banks wanted
• Mary Poppins makes it clear to Mr. Banks that she “never explains anything.” This is something we see in her throughout the movie and especially the book. She constantly denies the magical adventures and will never explain what happened.
• Bert reminds Mr.Banks how fast childhood goes away and soon his children will be all grown up and it will be too late for him to connect with them.
• In the movie, they make Mr. Banks more of a dynamic character and put more focus onto him and the lessons he learns.
• There is mention of the Boston Tea Party and how some colonists dressed as “red indians” and behaved “rudely” by throwing the tea overboard.
• The old man seems to be laughing at the wooden leg joke and starts floating in the air, but to me he kind of looked possessed. 
• Ellen, the maid, makes a comment about suicide, which definitely isn’t appropriate for children's movies. 
• Mary Poppins seems to have a profound effect on the parents, especially Mr. Banks, to the point where she is not needed because they are more willing to care for them. In contrast, in the book, when Mary Poppins leaves, everything turns to chaos again, and the children continue to be neglected.

Disney Mary Poppins Response

Disney’s Mary Poppins strays quite far away from its original source material. Firstly, there are large discrepancies in the character’s roles and the ways they are presented. Blatantly, two of the Banks’ four, later in the second book it becomes five, children are cut from the movie, John and Barbara. This could have been done in order to constrict time and allow there to be a deeper connection with both children left, Jane and Michael, so that the audience could better understand Poppins’ relationship with the two children without having to dive into two more character arcs. Mrs. Banks is turned into a suffragette, and while this would leader a viewer to believe that she is a more strong and independent woman, her and Mr. Banks’ roles in the family really emphasize the patriarchy the film is contextualized in. In the initial twenty minutes, both Mrs. Banks and Mr. Banks sing songs that showcase the stereotypes of the time period concerning the power structure, as Mrs. Banks dreams of equal rights while calling men stupid, yet yields without any resistance to Mr. Banks’ song remarking the age of man he lives in and how he abides over his kingdom, or the household. This is especially present in the effort to find another nanny, as Mrs. Banks admits her inept qualities in picking a nanny, and instantly believes Mr. Banks will correctly select a new one. And, although Mary Poppins takes over after hearing from the letter Mr. Banks tries to destroy, he proceeds to take full credit and Mrs. Banks lauds him for it. Mr. Banks also plays a very different role in his character arc. Rather than being defeated by the bank and being a representation for poor parenting and an incapable nature, Mr. Banks is given an emotional storyline. After his career seemingly falls into shambles, he instead plays at an appeal to pathos, and gains sympathy from the viewer as they sense the pain of his shortcomings. However, Mr. Banks returns triumphant. Rather than a man defeated, Mr. Banks gains the same “happily ever after” treatment that is consistent across Disney movies. Along with this, Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke, sees a massively increased roll in the film, which brings a more silly and children oriented feeling to the film. The biggest difference, however, is Poppins herself. While she still has a propensity for mirrors, enjoys viewing herself and believing in her perfection, she is completely changed in her demeanor. While the book version of Poppins is sly and cutting, more of the stern leader than Mr. Banks desired for the children, the Disney Poppins is a beaming and cheerful character, who is extremely kind in her demeanor. While she does still carry a certain manipulative nature in order to reach her intended goals, sometimes looking down on Mr. Banks when initially meeting him, she is wrapped in an air of kindness that was completely foreign to the original source material. Overall, the Disney story is definitely geared to a more family friendly or children centered audience due to its bright colors and happy resolutions. While the original source material was not written for children, Disney new exactly who his targeted audience was.

Disney's Mary Poppins Response

I found the Disney film Mary Poppins to be entertaining, but I did not love it. This is mostly due to personal preference, and the fact that the style is very old, as well as that it’s a musical (which I’m not a big fan of).

            The movie did make some significant and surprising changes to the original novel, and I think the changes made were very positive and progressive. These changes were centered around the parents playing a much bigger role in the plot of the film, as well as Bert being a character that was involved throughout the movie.

            I think these changes were made so that there actually could be more plot. The original stories don’t have that much conflict, but giving the parents in a bigger role in the movie means that the conflict can be that they don’t care for their kids all that much and don’t spend a lot of time with them. The movie is a critique of parents who are completely hands off, as well as a critique of standard gender roles like the father always working and being completely in charge of the house. You can tell that it’s a critique of this, because in the end the problem is solved by the dad realizing he wants to/should spend more time with his children. The dad is presented negatively, in that he doesn’t want to have fun and is very strict, so you can tell that the movie is criticizing people like him.

            I am interested in why Bert played a bigger role. A pessimistic view could be because they didn’t want Mary Poppins as the sole lead, who would be by herself in all the scenes with her and the children. They wanted a male counterpart for some reason. I think this could’ve been part of the reason, but I don’t think it’s the sole one. Bert provides a more carefree personality, and ends up being the one to enlighten the father on why he should spend more time with his children. It would be unlike Mary Poppins for her to have this frank talk with the father, and so him being put in a more important role is integral to the plot.

            I found it funny that the wife was an advocate for women’s suffrage, but then was very submissive to her husband. She hides the sashes because she knows he doesn’t like them. At the beginning of the film, he went on about how he is like the leader of the home and must make sure everything is running smoothly. It’s ironic because it’s mostly the women who are doing those things. They are the servants and nannies, and he simply works at a bank. This could be commentary on the fact that women do the same if not equal work to men but get much less credit.

            The film does try to explain the father’s point of view as well. It says how he doesn’t have time to care for the kids because he has to work hard to make money, and how the kids and wife have someone to take care of them, but he is all alone in that aspect. I found this to be a very interesting take, and a perspective I hadn’t thought of. It’s interesting to think of the effect that providing for a family has on a man. It doesn’t justify a man acting as a dictator in his home, but it does provide some perspective.

            Overall, I found this to be the most progressive Disney film we’ve analyzed so far. It changes the story in a way to send a specific message, instead of just telling the same message and making it fit with the times.

Disney Mary Poppins Response

The Disney version of Mary Poppins keep much of the original story by Pamela Travers, yet the Disneyfication of the story was inevitable from the moment the tale of Mary Poppins made it to Disney's drawing board. While the movie is similar to the novel; enough is different where I feel a short recap of the story is necessary. A father, George Banks, advertises for a nanny in the newspaper after their children have chased away another nanny. The next morning, Mary Poppins glides down from the sky blowing away all the other nannies, literally. After a series of adventures that culminates in shenanigans at the banks, Mr. Banks is fired. As banks leave from being fired the formerly serious and money oriented man tells his boss a joke he learned from his son, then leaves to take his children to fly kites. Dawes, Banks's boss, who has not laughed in 90 years, is truck by the joke and begins to laugh. Consequently, Banks is offered a position on the board instead of being fired. After this smooth feeling that her job is complete, Mary Poppins opens her umbrella and flies away in a scene that mirrors the closing scene of the original Mary Poppins novel. The Disney movie focuses on a disorganized family with a father whose only goal is the accruement of money, a mother fixated on women's rights and children who have run through one nanny after another. Just as in the book Mary Poppins is a figure of supernatural power. She is equally mysterious though Disney seems to have taken out many of the references to the origin of her power and hints to its cultural source. Additionally as is the steadfast Disney tradition there is a lesson, and it is no surprise that lesson is strongly intertwined with the idea of family, to be learned from the story. The two messages that while subtle is strongly portrayed in the movie are the ideas that a father should not sacrifice his family to his work and that a mother should attend to the home. Both of these ideas may have sexist connotation that would not be acceptable today, however, in much the same way as other older Disney movies these messages that could have been offensive were instead simply tailored to the time and seen as heartwarming rather than rude. Not only was this movie ironically Disney, but it was additionally an amalgamation of cinematic skills and techniques, this is due to the many departments that were set to work creating the seemingly impossible movie. On an interesting side note in looking into the ideas, I had about the source of Mary Poppin 's powers an interesting bit of evidence emerged that supported my idea that Mary Poppins is a witch. This takes place in the form of the addition of music. Many people believe that, at least in the Disney version, the reason for the songs is that they are the source of Mary's power. The songs function as a spell and just like traditional witches they evoke and channel power from another source.

Mary Poppins Movie Response

This blog will be a progression of my reactions as I watch the movie. Here it goes:

To start the movie with a song like this gives me The Wizard of Oz vibes. The man with the instruments seems to be breaking the third wall as he talks directly to the audience. The movie starts with a nanny leaving just like in the books. Mrs Banks seems to be a bit of a feminist and is a heavy supporter of the women suffrage, I don’t remember that being part of the book so that must be one of the things the Disney changed in order to fit in with the values of the world at the time the movie was released.

Haha, Mrs Banks orders one of the maids to hide the chords she was wearing so that her husband wouldn’t find them because it infuriates him. For such a supporter of the feminist movement, Mrs Banks seems to be very scared of her husband. Most of the characters so far seem to be more concerned about what they are feeling before they even pay attention to what anyone else is trying to tell them. Mr Banks is very stern and really acts like the leader of the house, maybe aligning with the values of the time. Mr Banks is very rough on the children, and considering he leaves them with a nanny that could be part of the reason for why the kids are so rebellious. In the movie, Mr Banks is the one that interviews Mary Poppins, and Mary Poppins comes with the paper that Mr. Banks tore up which baffles him.

The first thing that Mary Poppins changes about the nursery is a bigger mirror. Disney did not change Mary Poppins’ vanity about her. In the movie, Mary Poppins is much friendlier with the kids from the very start. She is willing to answer the questions that the kids have and is actually following the list that the kids made but with a slight twist. I believe that Robertson Ay is not in this movie, and is instead replace by another female maid. It is interesting to see the graphics in movies from the 1930s compared to the movies now.  The whole movie seems to be a musical with the amount of songs that are in here. Wait what is that word haha. Super…. Okay I’m not even going to try. I see that Mary Poppins still denies whenever something abnormal happens. Mr. Banks seems to be a lot more rude in the movie than in the book. I also notice that there are only 4 family members , the twins are not in the movie. Maybe that is to enforce the “perfect family” of the time which was usually made up of 2 adults and 2 children.

The people at the bank are all like Mr Bank who all believe they know everything they are doing and think they are better than everyone else because of it. In the movie, the matchmaker plays a much bigger role. He helps Mr. Banks understand the value of being a father and that changes his perspective on order. I’m surprised at how the boss of mr Banks was filled with laughing gas after he told the joke. In the Disney version of the story, when Mary Poppins leaves everything is better unlike in the book where everything turns into chaos. Overall I really liked the movie and I think Disney did a good job turning Mary Poppins into a widely loved character which I think the book did not do.

Mary Poppins movie post

At the very beginning of the movie, Mary Poppins is still shown as applying makeup and is looking at herself in the mirror. This aspect of her personality is kept the same from the books, she is still vain and cares about her appearance a lot. She is shown throughout the movie looking in mirrors and applying makeup. There is even the iconic scene where her reflection in the mirror sings back at her with an impressive only Julie Andrews would do it, riff. Although Dick Van Dyke is delightful, his accent is absolutely atrocious. I remember not thinking much of it when I was a kid, but now it is very apparent to me. Something that maintains the whimsical feel of the books is all the 4th wall breakage. The most noticeable case of this is Bert at the beginning, who isn’t even that important of a character in the books. I think it is curious that there was a focus on Mrs Banks being a suffrage. Her behavior when she arrives seems to be mocking suffragettes, which is an interesting perspective since this movie was made like 30 years after the suffragette movement. This was just the beginning of the perpetual patriarchal ideals that are manifested in Mr. Banks. Even though she was fighting for women's rights, Mrs. Banks was terrified of Mr. Banks. In the books Mr. Banks was barely present, appearing as more of a goofy character. In the movie meanwhile he does not spend a lot of time with the children and seems to know everything, and do everything better than Mrs. Banks. I wonder if this is because the books were written by a woman, while this movie was made by a man (Disney). The line try not to cloud the situation with facts is hilarious, I laughed out loud at that. The role Admiral Boom plays is interesting since, he is barely mentioned in the books, but is the one aware of the situations in the Banks household, and of the changing wind that brings Mary Poppins. This is likely a narration technique, since books are indeed a different medium than movies and therefore, the narration techniques are not entirely transferrable. It is quite pleasant to be able to see all the whimsies that a Mary Poppins adventure brings visually; in that sense a movie is well suited for it. The colors and animations add nicely to the atmosphere Obviously this seems to come from Disney’s emphasis on animation techniques even in a live action film. All of the animals especially gave out major Disney vibes. Of course in the movie, Mary Poppins is not the same character whatsoever as in the books. This is likely a product of both the Disney standard for kind and lovable characters and Julie Andrews’ own charm. However, she still is beloved by everyone she takes the children to meet, a commonality with the books. Even though Dick van Dyke’s accent is just horrible, his amazing dancing skills almost made up for it. It is really thoughtful that all of the characters on the adventure are animated, to show a difference. I wonder if this is how P.L. Travers would have wanted it though?

Disney's Mary Poppins

In this version, Disney has Mr. Banks hire a new nanny instead of Mrs. Banks, probably because during the time period there was more patriarchy and so that Mr. Banks had a bigger role in the story. Also Bert has been more incorporated into the storyline probably to add a larger male presence in the film. Bert said that you can do magic to go into the painting, which is new because in the original version I believe no adult explicitly mentioned magic. Additionally, the chalk drawing scene has also been altered and incorporates the merry-go-round scene probably have all of the scene in the book could not be featured in this film. Also I feel like during the chalk picture scene Disney is showing off his animation skills since it is a pretty long scene with not much going on important to the plot. There are also talking animals that help our much like in Snow White. Also some of the more scary scenes have been excluded to make the film more kid friendly. Disney has also added more humors moment to keep the child audience more entertained such as with the fox hunt scene when the hunter and his horse land in the river. Also Disney added “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” probably because the song was very catchy and a fun scene, which since then become famously associated with Mary Poppins. Additionally, the twins are not included in the film probably because Disney didn’t want to distract from Jane and Michaels story line. Additionally the clues that the magic occurred like the scarf in the bowl are not present in the film. Disney added the bank scene I suppose to allude to the great depression and the run on the banks that occurred in the 1920s. It was also interesting how this adds even more scenes for Mr. Banks, which allows his character to develop even more. Disney has also added a chimney sweep scene probably to add a fun scene it a catchy song and exciting dance moves. The children are also much more well behaved in this version probably to set a good example for all of the children that will be watching the movie. Also when Mr. Banks is fired, it allows him to become a better father, which helps to make Jane and Michaels parents seem more caring and involved than in the book so it ends happily with strong family values. 

The film has been “Disneyfied” by making Mary Poppins much more kind and less vain. All of her snide remarks and coldness is not present in the Disney version to make it more kid friendly. Also Mary Poppins seems much less vain in the film because she only checks her reflection a couple times in a mirror instead of stopping at every store window to check her reflection, which was probably done to make Mary Poppins seem like a more ideal woman figure. Disney has also made Mary Poppins much nicer by actually let the kids know that she was leaving instead of just disappearing probably to make the ending seems less startling and sad.

Disney's Mary Poppins Blog Post

• I still find it odd that in the earlier Disney films the credits are in the beginning of the movie instead of the end.
• Julie Andrews just does not look as conceited and arrogant as the Mary Poppins in the book.
• I do not believe that there was a musician in the book version.
• It is an interesting perspective to have the actor talking to the perspective audience instead of just to each other.
• They did a great job an Admiral Boon’s house.
• It is interesting that they have Mrs. Banks coming home from a women’s protest. Was there some sort of thing going on politically at the time that this movie was made?
• How in the world was one cannon shot enough to knock around all the breakables in the house?
• There is a ton of references to the upcoming storm.
• Is Mr. Banks a bit OCD? Or a lot?
• Is it not supposed to set in the 1800s, but Mr. Banks said that it is 1910?
• The others are very protective of the children.
• There is a very obvious struggle of power between Mr. and Mrs. Banks.
• Why must the nanny be pretty? That is kind of mean.
• Where are the twins? Did the Disney version not have them in the movie?
• Yikes, did they purposely make the nannies in the line mean, scary, and not as conventionally pretty?
• If the wind was enough to blow away the nannies, would it be blowing trees and sheds over?
• In the book the mother was the one that saw to the nannies, and Mr. Banks never caught on to Mary Poppin’s magic. Is he smarter in the movie?
• The boy playing Micheal is wayyyyyyy too tan.
• “Mary Poppin is practically perfect in every way” That’s a bit entitled.
• The animation is actually quite detailed for the times period.
• The children can do magic in the movie?! Interesting.
• Did the magic get out of hand?!
• The paintings are gorgeous. Oh the painter is the same as the musician.
• The first time Mary Poppins runs into Bert in the book was without the children.
• He frustrated her until she gave into showing them how it was supposed to have been done.
• There's the association with innocent woodland creatures again.
• Is that a reference to being scared around some men, about being pressed into something they do not want to do.
• Here is the seen from the book, but in the book the waiter was human.
• Here is the setting woman against woman that is seen throughout the book too.
• The merry go round makes an earlier appearance than the book, and Mary Poppins is not leaving right now.
• They are in the painting scene for a lot longer than the book.
• Was that a reference to Britain?
• Mary Poppins is almost regal like in this movie.
• Here’s the medicine that taste like what they like.
• They kept the way she refuses to acknowledge the magic in the movie.
• Why is everyone so much more cheerful in the movie than the book.
• It is the laughing scene, it is hilarious.
• The fact that Mr. Banks was so disturbed by the joy filled house that he always said he wanted, shows that what he wanted was a house instead controlled by himself. No frivolity.
• Mary Poppins is right when she says numerous people walk through life not truly seeing the wonderous and small parts of the city and the people living there.
• Although it is odd that in the book she does not like the bird woman, but in the movie she does.
• Where is Mary Poppins?
• That’s different from the book, he did not let them feed the birds. I wonder if Mary Poppins will later.
• It seems that although the others respect the “bank giant” they do not truly approve of his actions.
• Why is Mr. Banks the only person who works in the bank that doesn’t have graying hair?
• I wonder why most of the clothing in the movie is consistent with the time, except for Jane’s clothes.
• I do not blame the children for running, the bank people were pushy and the crowds terrifying.
• The children ran into the bad part of town.
• The children are right, Mr. Banks does not seem to like them very much.
• Why do the people all walk with their feet turned out?!
• Did she just ask a random stranger to take care of her children?! What kind of mother does that?
• Mary Poppins is mad for the first time in the movie version. Did she just dust more ash onto her face?
• “Clean” soot?
• Could I walk on air? That looks like fun.
• Bert is quite the leader of the other chimneysweeps.
• Mary Poppins must be the best even at spin jumps.
• The silhouettes are cool looking!
• The admiral is just watching this happening.
• How many fireworks did he shoot off!
• Why did they all jump into the Bank’s house? Mr. Bank’s face when he comes home.
• That was an artful way Bert let Mr. Banks know that his treatment of the children was not going to help anything.
• Has Mr. Banks gone insane…?
• Are they talking about Mr. Banks maybe committing suicide?
• That’s a happier ending than the book.
• The parrot head talks!!!!!
• There are a lot of stories they left out of the movie version, but I can understand that to have them all would be impossible.