One of the films I’m most excited about this year is Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. It’s the story of how Mary Poppins {one of my favorite films!} made it to the big screen!
When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.
For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.
It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.
Fun Facts About Saving Mr. Banks
– “Saving Mr. Banks” is the first film to depict the iconic entrepreneur Walt Disney.
– Richard and Robert Sherman’s original score and song (“Chim Chim-Cher-ee”) would go on to win Oscars® at the 1965 ceremonies.
– “Mary Poppins” won five awards of its 13 Academy Award® nominations: Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Effects, Best Film Editing, Original Score and Original Song. Among the nominations were Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
– Disney began his quest to get the rights to “Mary Poppins” in the 1940s as a promise to his two daughters.
– P.L. Travers’ father was a banker and is the basis for the “Mary Poppins” story’s patriarch, Mr. Banks—the character in the book whom the famous fictional nanny comes to aid.
– Some of “Saving Mr. Banks” was filmed in the original Animation Building on the lot of Walt Disney Studios – which I got to see last month!
Saving Mr. Banks opens in theaters limited on December 13, 2013 and opens wide on December 20, 2013!
Two really good actors in this film 🙂 I watched Mary Poppins a lot as a child in the 70’s. It was one of my favorite films as a kid along with Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. This should be an interesting film to watch.
I love Tom Hanks so I am super excited to see this!
this looks like a good movie to see!
I love anything that Tom Hanks is in! Can’t wait to see this.
My kids loved Mary Poppins so I am sure they would love to see the story behind it!
This seems different for a Disney movie, but still one that I would enjoy. It will be neat to get a behind the scene kind-of look at Walt Disney!
Looks like a good movie