Okay, there's the bad stuff. Of course, it can't even begin to touch "Mary Poppins" as a musical, as a film, or as whatever else. And there are all sorts of other litle problems, from the logic of Dick Van Dyke having English kids and an English FATHER but talking in an American accent to the clumsy transistion into the fantasy sequence (Much better handled in "Poppins" and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks") to the overlength to the many irrelevant songs ("Me Ol' Bamboo," "Chu-Chi Face," and the just plain stupid "Posh!").
But still, the film is likeable and enjoyable escapism. Van Dyke has a few more attempts to display his talents at slapstick and physical comedy than he did in "Poppins," and he also proves a fine singer and a decent actor. He recieves great support from the lovely (In looks and voice) Sally Ann Howes, and such British-film veterans as Benny Hill, Gert Frobe, Anna Quayle and Robert Helpmann. The story is delightfully quirky. (Of course; it was based on books by the guy who came up with James Bond, and Roald Dahl collaborated on the screenplay!) As with all the Sherman brothers' post-"Poppins" scores, the songs are not particularly memorable but still pleasent, and there is the irresistably catchy title tune and a couple other charming numbers ("Truly Scrumptious," the lovely 'Hushabye Mountain," and "Lovely Lonely Man," and I actually enjoyed "Me Ol' Bamboo," or "Step In Time II"). And even though the "story-within-the-story" bogs the film down and is clumsily handled, if you want to search for something deep, you can find a parallel between the Vulgarian anti-children prejudices and the Holocuast. Think about it-this madman (The Baron--Hitler) hates a group of people simply because of their "race" and will stop at nothing to exterminate them. He sends out a henchman (The Child-Catcher--Nazis) to capture them and imprison them in an isolated area where they are malnourished and badly treated (The palace dungeon--concentration camps). A few kind souls (The Toymaker, and his real-life counterparts) hide some of these people in "secret annexes" (Remember Anne Frank?) at the risk of their lives if they are caught. This goes on for many years until a group of people (Potts and company--the Allies) "liberate" the children/Jews and overthrow the madman. Interesting parallel, isn't it? But that's probably getting just a little too analytical for such a lighthearted, delightful children's fantasy film. The kids will probably love it and won't (and shouldn't) have to make those kinds of comparisons.
But still, the film is likeable and enjoyable escapism. Van Dyke has a few more attempts to display his talents at slapstick and physical comedy than he did in "Poppins," and he also proves a fine singer and a decent actor. He recieves great support from the lovely (In looks and voice) Sally Ann Howes, and such British-film veterans as Benny Hill, Gert Frobe, Anna Quayle and Robert Helpmann. The story is delightfully quirky. (Of course; it was based on books by the guy who came up with James Bond, and Roald Dahl collaborated on the screenplay!) As with all the Sherman brothers' post-"Poppins" scores, the songs are not particularly memorable but still pleasent, and there is the irresistably catchy title tune and a couple other charming numbers ("Truly Scrumptious," the lovely 'Hushabye Mountain," and "Lovely Lonely Man," and I actually enjoyed "Me Ol' Bamboo," or "Step In Time II"). And even though the "story-within-the-story" bogs the film down and is clumsily handled, if you want to search for something deep, you can find a parallel between the Vulgarian anti-children prejudices and the Holocuast. Think about it-this madman (The Baron--Hitler) hates a group of people simply because of their "race" and will stop at nothing to exterminate them. He sends out a henchman (The Child-Catcher--Nazis) to capture them and imprison them in an isolated area where they are malnourished and badly treated (The palace dungeon--concentration camps). A few kind souls (The Toymaker, and his real-life counterparts) hide some of these people in "secret annexes" (Remember Anne Frank?) at the risk of their lives if they are caught. This goes on for many years until a group of people (Potts and company--the Allies) "liberate" the children/Jews and overthrow the madman. Interesting parallel, isn't it? But that's probably getting just a little too analytical for such a lighthearted, delightful children's fantasy film. The kids will probably love it and won't (and shouldn't) have to make those kinds of comparisons.