TV Talk Discussion Group

Topic: When's the last time you saw *Mary Poppins*?

I see it's going to be shown on ABC Family tomorrow (Tues.) night.

I came across it while channel-surfing about a year ago - and couldn't believe how much fun it was to see again!  The music is SO catchy, and I was amazed at how many of the words I remembered (even though the last time I had seen it was ... hmm ... about 44 years ago!).

Spell,

http://sadsteve.com/preview.py?id=ac39065d38ec3d208b9fc2a8cf6eacbe0eef758c&title=A%20Christmas%20Story%20/%20Have%20Yourself%20a%20Merry%20Little%20Christmas&artist=Sesame%20Street

If this doesn't work, go www.sadsteve.com and type "sesame street" and "christmas story" into the search box, then click on the link it gives.  It is probably only the audio but it is shorter (and an updated and better version than the original.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YQ8KdBEhz8

This is the link to the first in the special on Youtube-it is spread out through the first four parts, about nine minutes each.

I didn't "discover" Sesame Street until I was 20.  I met a guy in college who was crazy about Bert and Ernie (he had tons of VHS tapes).  He went home most weekends and he let me use his dorm room to escape and I eventually watched the videos out of boredom and escape.  I've loved Bert and Ernie ever since (Cookie Monster, too!)

So you don't have to start as a kid to enjoy SS-rent some videos as a start.

And, thank you, Randy, for the sanctuary and for introducing me to Bert and Ernie!  Wher ever you are, I will have a soft spot for you.

I haven’t watched the complete movie for several years, but it is one of my favorites. The storyline and music are classic, and the cast is simply superb – I’m not just referring to Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke (they, of course, are stellar). Not to be overshadowed is the equally impressive supporting cast, especially David Tomlinson, who played the role of George Banks.

His character’s epiphany in the latter part of the movie has always been one of my favorite sequences. From Mr. Banks singing “A Man Has Dreams” with Van Dyke’s Bert, to Michael handing over the money to his father while Mary Poppins looks on from the staircase, to Mr. Banks walking the fog-filled streets of London, to his discharge at the bank – simply priceless. His reaction to his firing could have produced an over-the-top, histrionic response, but Tomlinson remained subtle and understated throughout the entire scene.

I can’t imagine a more brilliant actor portraying that role. And he could sing fairly well, too, as evidenced by his rousing version of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”

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Oh, dear!! I must have a black soul. I was never that taken with The Wizard of OZ, either! I did enjoy the books, however-much better than the movie for me. And to prove I'm not dead inside, I just cried (the good kind of crying) while watching Sesame Street/Bert and Ernie's version of The Gift of the Magi. (Awwww, it was wonderful.) vh

With Oz, what always gets my hubby and I, is what they did in 1939! We always look at it in wonder and say, wow, look what they did way back then, it's still around now, it's still popular, it's iconic. I wonder if anything we make now will be like that 70 some odd years down the road?!?! /Skullys Girl

And what's so amazing is that it wasn't that big a hit in the theaters when it came out but has grown & grown in popularity in the intervening years. Same with *It's a Wonderful Life,* which I believe was released the same year (along with *Gone with the Wind,* which got all the attention). Speaking of *Wonderful Life* ... is this Bert & Ernie thing a movie that you can rent, or something you saw on TV? I was born too long ago to totally get into Sesame Street, but saw a Bert & Ernie skit while babysitting once that just cracked me up - and I LOVE the idea that their characters were named after Ernie the cab driver and Bert the cop in *It's a Wonderful Life.* So, I'd love to check this thing out. And it seems to me we've got similar taste in movies/TV shows. Thanks! -Spell

Spaulding Butler} 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'It's a Wonderful Life' are two of my favorite movies. I never tire of watching either one. They are far superior to at least 95 percent of the inane special effects-driven tripe that producers churn out today.

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Posted by: Elliott
Date posted: Tue Dec 16 15:07:03 2008
Message:

One of my all time favorite movies as a kid. Love it, but I can't stand watching it on ABC family or whatever. There are SO many commercials. It's so annoying.

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Are there?? Oh darn. (I actually had on *Stuart Little 2* - a really charming movie - last night and couldn't believe that they had NO commercials till about 40 minutes into the movie! It was awesome and a very rare occurrence. It was on the Disney Channel - and they're notorious for tons of ads, designed to get kids to beg their parents for this & that.) Well, like last year I'll probably just have it on in the background anyway, so I'll just enjoy it when the songs are on. -Spell

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Posted by: vh
Date posted: Tue Dec 16 14:39:02 2008
Message:

I think some of these children's movies need to be seen when you are a child.  I saw mary Poppins for the first time about nine years ago.  (I could still actually see it then.)  I wasn't impressed except for the chimney sweep scen with Dick Van Dike.  Well, I guess he was what made the movie for me.

I also never saw the whole (and original) Willie Wonka until about the same time as Mary Poppins.  I was dreadfully disappointed in it.  I'd seen the first half or so as a child and was entranced (and terrified of Gene Wilder, of all things!)

Anyway, enjoy Mary Poppins.  Hmm, wouldn't mind seeing the scenes with DVD again.

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I know what you're saying, vh. Well, my *watching it* last year really amounted to having it on in the background while I did other things; it was those SONGS that impressed me again so much, mainly because I actually remembered them! I started singing along and couldn't believe how many of the words I got right. I can't remember what I did last week, but I easily recalled the lyrics to *A Spoonful of Sugar* from decades ago! Go figure. -Spell

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Posted by: psychdiva
Date posted: Tue Dec 16 8:53:11 2008
Message:
I remember my older sister taking me and my younger sister to see that movie when I was in the second grade.  That is one of my fondest memories growing up,  I just loved that movie.  I made my mom buy me the soundtrack.  I will probably tivo it,  thanks for the info.

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Makes for a great childhood memory, doesn't it? I also had that experience with *West Side Story* - how exciting that was! And what are kids these days going to look back on fondly - *High School Musical*?? Hmm ... -Spell

It's funny you mentioned West Side Story, because that is another one of my fond childhood memories. When I was in the fifth grade, our local High School put on a production of that play. My teacher took us on a field trip to see it. The play was awesome, and that was the first time I had ever seen it. It was a great production it was actually better than the professional production that I saw of it in Detroit a few years ago....psychdiva

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