Mary Poppins Movie: What Didn't Make It... — Page 2

For those of you thirsting for a "crash course" in the film and its inception, creative decisions, what Ms. Travers thought about everything, etc., check out the recent 2-Disc release on DVD. There are excellent documentaries and commentary tracks on this very subject.

The bottom line is that she approved absolutely everything in the film, including the casting of Julie Andrews, which was controversial enough, since Mary is not a young woman in her 20s in the books.

Travers is given the on-screen credit of "Consultant."

And again... anything she didn't like, at any point prior to the film's release, she could "kill" and they would be faced with either removing it or shelving the film.

Very risky.

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Updated On: 11/19/06 at 05:10 PM

CRAP! Now, without even seeing the show, I think I can say that my favorite moment from the film still intact ("A Man Has Dreams") will be almost completely be destroyed. It's a wonderful reprise of "The Life I Lead" because it contrasts prosperous Mr. Banks at the beginning of the movie with the Mr. Banks who has just been fired. Without a version of the song earlier in the show, even the short reprise where he reprimends Mary, it's not possible for "A Man Has Dreams" to have the impact it should.

I think on the documentary on the wonderful 2-Disc DVD, it said that after she met with the Sherman brothers (the meeting on the 2-Disc CDs) she gave approval to the project and wasn't involved from that point on. I may be wrong, but I watched it just a few weeks ago.

Oh, and that she approved Julie. Julie said that Mrs. Travers said that she at least "Had the nose for it."

Thanks, I had heard "A Man Has Dreams" is in the show, but I don't think it will work without an earlier version of the same song in the show, because "A Man Had Dreams" contrasts Mr. Banks with the Mr. Banks who sang the song earlier.

...wow, this is one depressing article, dry2olives.

Although P.L. Travers (if this story is true) was being something of a bitch, it's the coldest I've ever seen Walt Disney be described:
"The première was the first Travers had seen of the movie—she did not initially receive an invitation, but had embarrassed a Disney executive into extending one—and it was a shock. Afterward, as Richard Sherman recalled, she tracked down Disney at the after-party, which was held in a giant white tent in the parking lot adjoining the Chinese Theatre. “Well,” she said loudly. “The first thing that has to go is the animation sequence.” Disney looked at her coolly. “Pamela,” he replied, “the ship has sailed.” And then he strode past her, toward a throng of well-wishers, and left her alone, an aging woman in a satin gown and evening gloves, who had travelled more than five thousand miles to attend a party where she was not wanted."

Updated On: 11/19/06 at 05:27 PM

I disagree with the article that the message of the film version is about the "virtue" of conformity, just about being a good parent and not a neglectful one like Mr. Banks was before Mary came.

I think that article is pretty God-awful actually, and more worthy of Us Magazine than the New Yorker.

I'm not disputing that Miss Travers might not have been invited to the premiere. I couldn't say. But it wouldn't surprise me, considering how much of a royal pain in the ass she had been to Disney. He knew what he was getting into when he agreed to her terms, as risky as they were. But it would be just like her, AFTER the film had opened to keep giving him creative notes.

I hope he DID tell her "the ship has sailed." He bent over backwards more than most would EVER do with an author. Even J.K. Rowling doesn't have THAT kind of control over the Potter films. She is a consultant, and they honor much of her requests... but she is not the final word legally, and she respects the film-making process. They also respect her feedback, but it's not demanded. Travers WAS the final word on Poppins. They proceeded with her LEGAL blessing.

Can you imagine if she really tried to give Disney a creative note... at the premiere!?! I wouldn't have invited her either.

At some point you just have to "switch her off."

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Updated On: 11/19/06 at 05:36 PM

"scary, in case you were confused, "A Man Has Dreams" is in the show, they just don't include it on the CD, so on the CD they list it as "A Man Has Dreams", but it is actually the reprise version."
Thank you.

I am a little bit confused. Are there two versions of the song in the show, or just the reprise?

Because "A Man Has Dreams", in the film, is the final reprise of "The Life I Lead."

Scary---I just looked it up in my Showbill...

"A Man Has Dreams" is sung by Mr Banks in Act I. In Act II, he and Bert sing the reprise coupled with the reprise of Spoonful of Sugar (same combo from the film).

dry2olives---that makes sense, I suppose. But it's her own damn fault if she legally approved it all and then regretted it later on.

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Yet the stage show isn't like the books either...

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Scary, if all you're looking for is an exact replica of the film, don't bother seeing the show--or any show for that matter. Just rent the movie and stay happy!

I certainly don't expect everyone to like it, but why bother if all you want to see is the movie up on stage?

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Updated On: 11/19/06 at 06:01 PM

Great. Go see it and tell us what you think! You might like the changes, you might hate them... Judge for yourself.

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I was lucky to be center orchestra. The balconies are a bit steep, but the mezz would be perfect for this show.

Can't deny what a beautiful theatre is is, though!

Practically perfect in every way... (My fav new song from the show)

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