It's a jolly 'oliday wif Mary

[barnabas_truman]

We just watched Mary Poppins. Hadn't seen it in probably 15 years. Made a lot more sense this time around. Some of the songs that I had grown to despise from over-familiarity suddenly became wondrous and profound when in the proper context. I must say, it's one of the top three Discordian films I've ever seen (the others being The Big Lebowski and King of Hearts), on which more later.

Remember the Bird Lady? 24 years prior, she played Ma Joad in Grapes of Wrath. Very powerful role. Her acting career dates back to 1913. Apparently she was called out of retirement by Walt Disney himself because he thought she'd be perfect for the role.

Also, the ex-nanny who storms out of the house at the beginning of the movie? Bride of Frankenstein. Seriously, look it up.

Comments

[lysandra.livejournal.com]

hmm... I should watch that again...

[cahwyguy.livejournal.com]

Recently, I picked up a copy of the Original London Cast of the Mary Poppins musical. Quite good. They used most of the film music, added some songs, and picked some different stories from the original book to work in (for example, there's no Uncle Albert, and more Miss Andrew). Very very good, and I highly recommend it.

[temperance14.livejournal.com]

There's no Uncle Albert?

We're so sorry, Uncle Albert.
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert
....but the kettle's on the boil,
and we're so easy called away.

[cahwyguy.livejournal.com]

In the new stage version, it appears not. I guess the tea party on the ceiling would be too hard to stage.

[ellipticcurve.livejournal.com]

ailurodragon once said that Mary Poppins is a benign force of chaos. (It was at a Holiday Bash, as we were all watching Mary Poppins, IIRC) I think that is about as fine a description of Mary Poppins as one is likely to find.
It's like Groundhog Day: beneath the comedy trappings lies as perfect an introduction to Buddhism as you will find anywhere.
Man, I could write a book... but I bet someone's already done a movies & philosophy book.

[barelyproper.livejournal.com]

You must also watch Nanny McPhee. Same delicious feeling and a wonderful story

[elissali.livejournal.com]

and you've gotta love Emma Thompson. :)

hi casey

[(Anonymous)]

Every book Walt Disney chose to make a film out of is worth reading. I also read Thud!! at your suggestion Casey. Good, but inferior to Mary Poppins. Do you think a film version of Thud!! is likely? --craig

Re: hi casey

[barnabas-truman.livejournal.com]

Hi there! I think I read one of the Mary Poppins books long long ago, but only recently discovered that there's a whole series of them. Thud!! is one of the few few Discworld books I haven't read yet. Gotta fix that soon. I don't know if any more Discworld movies are likely, but there are animated BBC movies of two of the earlier books (Soul Music and Wyrd Sisters).

Ma-ry Poppins!

[(Anonymous)]

You will have to watch this with Sabi sometime. It is one of her favorites. She loves how they call Mary Maaaaaaaaa-RY POPPINS! She repeats it over and over again - Ay!
It is a good flick.