She says that despite what went on backstage, the whole cast realized they were involved in something special.

Karen Dotrice, now 63, who played young Jane Banks in the first film, is not surprised at its treasured status. 21 starring Emily Blunt as the carpet bag-toting nanny. Later, Matthew Garber, who played the joyous young Michael Banks in the 1964 box-office smash, died tragically at the age of 21 after contracting hepatitis in India.ĭespite it all, the film remains a beloved family favorite - and a sequel, “ Mary Poppins Returns,” opened on Dec.

Meanwhile, the writer of the original Poppins novels was at war with the film’s producer, Walt Disney, obsessed with the occult, dogged by claims of racism and accused of ruining the life of her adopted son. The actress shocked the children in the film with her swearing and by smoking on set - while co-star Dick Van Dyke was an alcoholic who struggled with suicidal thoughts even as he danced around singing “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” It was a jokey, failed bid to banish the sugary-sweet reputation she had been stuck with because of the role - but if she had actually told the truth behind the classic movie, she might have succeeded. Nearly naked swimmers brave icy waters from Christmas day dipĮx-’Apprentice’ star left ‘almost blind’ after mugger punched her faceįar from being practically perfect in every way, Julie Andrews once put a bumper sticker on her car that said: “Mary Poppins Is A Junkie.” Mom pays tribute to daughter who committed suicide after boyfriend’s death Two men arrested after woman raped outside church on Christmas Eve

Mary poppins travers book