Mary Poppins (film)
Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney. The film stars Julie Andrews in the titular role as a magical nanny who visits a dysfunctional family in Edwardian London and uses her unique brand of enchantment and discipline to improve their lives. Dick Van Dyke co-stars as Bert, a jack-of-all-trades who is also Mary Poppins's closest friend.
The film is based on the Mary Poppins book series by P. L. Travers, though significant adaptations were made to the source material. The storyline centers on the Banks family: George, a strict banker; Winifred, a suffragette; and their mischievous children, Jane and Michael. Frustrated by their children's behavior and a string of failed nannies, George and Winifred advertise for a nanny. Mary Poppins arrives, practically blown in by the East Wind, and quickly takes charge, embarking on a series of fantastical adventures with the children and Bert.
Mary Poppins is notable for its innovative use of live-action and animation, its memorable songs (written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman), and its overall optimistic and heartwarming message. The film's soundtrack includes classic songs such as "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and "Feed the Birds."
Upon its release, Mary Poppins was a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1964. It received 13 Academy Award nominations and won five, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, and Best Original Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee").
The film has had a lasting cultural impact and continues to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. It has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest American films of all time. In 2013, Mary Poppins was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."