The Practically Perfect Making Of: Unveiling the Story behind Mary Poppins
Walt Disney‘s Mary Poppins isn’t just a beloved classic; it’s a testament to creative ambition, painstaking collaboration, and a famously fraught relationship with its source material’s author, P.L.Travers. Todd James Pierce’s Making Mary Poppins dives deep into the film’s production, meticulously reconstructing the journey from book to screen. This isn’t a sensational tell-all, but a deeply researched and comprehensive account – a valuable addition to any Disney enthusiast’s library.
If you’ve ever wondered how this iconic film came to be, you’re in for a engaging exploration. Let’s unpack the story behind the story, and why Mary Poppins remains so magical decades later.
A Nanny, A Goat, and a Culture Clash
The genesis of Mary Poppins is surprisingly unconventional. After successfully adapting other literary works, Walt Disney set his sights on P.L. Travers’s series of children’s books. He envisioned a live-action/animated musical, but securing the rights proved to be a decades-long battle.
Travers, fiercely protective of her creation, was initially horrified by Disney’s approach. The cultural gap was immense. As the Sherman Brothers recount, Disney simply asked, “Do you know what a nanny is?” to which Bob Sherman jokingly replied, “Yeah, a goat.” This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the challenge Disney faced: translating a complex, frequently enough prickly character into a Disney-fied heroine.
Travers’s vision of Mary Poppins was far removed from the cheerful nanny we know. Her Poppins was less about singing and more about… well, suggesting baking birds into pies. She imposed a long list of demands, including an all-British cast (a request not fully honored, despite Disney’s best efforts) and a complete ban on the color red in the film.
this clash is brilliantly portrayed in Saving Mr. Banks (2013),offering a compelling emotional companion to pierce’s detailed ancient account.
From Book to Blockbuster: A Unique Creative Process
What makes the making of Mary Poppins truly remarkable is how it was made. Disney tasked the sherman brothers – who had never written a screenplay before – with adapting the books directly, without a customary script or treatment.
They essentially composed the music first, then constructed a narrative around the songs. This meant building a cohesive story from a series of interconnected short stories. It was a bold, unconventional approach that ultimately paid off.
Here’s a glimpse into some of the fascinating details Pierce uncovers:
* Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The iconic word originated as a nonsense phrase the Sherman Brothers heard at summer camp in the 1930s.
* Sister Suffragette: This song was quickly written to appease Glynis Johns,who believed she was being cast as Mary Poppins (the role was initially intended for Bette Davis).
* Lost Sequences: Several scenes were cut during development, including a flying sofa and a magical zoo trip. These elements later resurfaced in Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
* Groundbreaking Visual effects: The film pioneered a “yellow-screen” technique using sodium vapor to seamlessly blend live-action and animation.
A Meticulous Reconstruction
Pierce’s book excels in its detailed examination of the collaborative process. He meticulously documents the contributions of everyone involved, from the animators and songwriters to the set designers and choreographers.
While the book doesn’t feature new interviews (understandable given the age of the cast and crew – Dick Van Dyke will turn 100 this December!), it expertly synthesizes existing archival material. It’s a true “making of” book in the best sense, offering a granular look at the challenges and triumphs of bringing Mary Poppins to life.
Though, Pierce’s approach is more analytical than evocative.He’s a diligent researcher, but perhaps lacks the curiosity or storytelling flair to truly elevate the narrative.
The Magic Remains… and a Lingering Question
Making Mary Poppins is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Disney history, film production, or the creative process.It’s a comprehensive and authoritative account that sheds light on the making of a timeless classic.
But one question still lingers, a whimsical mystery that Pierce acknowledges: how did Mary Poppins
