23/12/2022
The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins will always be on the top of my list of favourite movies. Brilliant actors, music, sets, etc....in one package. Watch this get-together around the piano and get some insight on the behind-the-scenes of Mary Poppins and how the songs came about!
More than half a century after it hit theaters, Mary Poppins is still one of the most beloved films ever. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Mary and the people who brought her to the silver screen.
1. It took more than 20 years to convince the author of Mary Poppins to sell the movie rights.
It all started in the early 1940s, when Walt Disney told his daughter Diane that he would make her favorite book into a movie. He was probably assuming that any author would be thrilled to hitch her name up to the Disney wagon, but quickly discovered that P.L. Travers was not just any author. For more than 20 years, Travers refused to deal with Disney. It was only in 1961 that she finally relented, mostly because she needed the money.
2. Julie Andrews and Dick Van D**e weren't the only options for the lead roles.
Angela Lansbury and Bette Davis were also considered for the role of Mary. Cary Grant was Walt's favorite for Bert.
3. Julie Andrews almost passed on the movie.
Because she had originated the role on Broadway, Andrews was hoping to be cast as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, so she didn't accept Disney's offer right away. Warner ultimately decided that Audrey Hepburn was their Eliza. Andrews and Hepburn ended up vying for a Golden Globe for their respective roles. When Andrews won, she took the opportunity to cheekily thank Jack Warner during her acceptance speech...😁
WELL DONE JULY!! 👏👏
And did you know? That's Marni Nixon on the soundtrack of the film "My Fair Lady." Audrey Hepburn played the role of Eliza Doolittle in the film, but Nixon did the singing for the role. In fact, she dubbed vocals for some 50 films.
A Mary Poppins Musical Reunion aka: A Magical Musical Reunion with Julie Andrews, Dick Van D**e and Richard Sherman
