Nearly everybody from the 1950's onwards, will know the name Walt Disney, a name that conjures up all sorts of magical memories in my mind. All the cartoon characters from the mischievous Tinkerbell to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and all the others that were too many to mention.
When Walt's daughters, Diane & Sharon, were young, their favourite books were the 'Mary Poppins' series of books, by British/Australian Author, P.L Travers. The books dealt with the titular character, who was a fictional Housekeeper in London during the years prior to WWI. She possessed magical powers, such as an Umbrella which gave her the ability to fly. She gets a job with the Banks family Father Bert, a Chimneysweep, and his children Jane & Michael. This would be the premise for the movie released in 1964
In 2013, 'Saving Mr Banks', deals with the strenuous negotiations between Walt Disney and PL Travers, to secure the rights of her books, with the view to making a movie of 'Mary Poppins'. On their first meeting in California, Walt is taken back by Travers's unfriendly and curt manner, she had the demeanour of a School Headmistress. She disliked any of his ideas, and was highly scornful of Disneyland, and all it represents.
Through the movie, we're shown glimpses of PL 'Pamela' Travers's childhood with a father who she adores, he sadly dies with excessive Alcohol consumption, when she is young. We are lead to believe the idea for Mary Poppins came from a Housekeeper Aunt Ellie, in the Travers's household.
In conclusion the actors chosen for the Roles Tom Hanks as Walt, he was sublime. Emma Thompson, as Miss Travers, and Aussie actress Rachel Griffith's as 'Aunt Ellie. Also worthy of mention was Paul Giamatti, who was Miss Travers' driver. This movie deserved more awards then what it got. 4 stars.
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