Disney Legends - Dick Van Dyke
Welcome to my new series, Disney Legends. I want to dedicate some more posts to the real Disney Legends, not only titled that by myself but also by the Walt Disney Company. Dick Van Dyke seemed to be the best start to this series, as the entire main cast of Mary Poppins are all official Disney Legends!
Ever since Mary Poppins Returns hit theaters, people are beginning to remember just who Mary Poppins is. She is one of the most notable and iconic characters from Disney of all time - some people may not know the full story, but they definitely know about the magical nanny with the umbrella. They also may remember her friend, the chimney sweep, Bert.
bert, the chimney sweep
Despite the original film by Disney being a "measly" 2 hours and 20 minutes, the film is jam-packed with songs, dances, characters, adventures, and lessons for Jane and Michael Banks to learn. Within all of this, there is a character named Bert, who opens the entire film. He's shown in the park entertaining the locals with his "one man band" act. He foreshadows Mary's entrance by performing the instrumental to "Jolly Holiday". He also teases his reoccurring song throughout the movie to transition scene to scene, "Chim Chim Cheree". He charms all of the older women in the park by singing songs about them, using his charisma, talent, and joy.
Bert is seen again in the film, once again in the park, but this time creating drawings and art on the pavement. During this scene, he is one of the only characters in the movie that breaks the fourth wall, speaking to the audience. He acts as a main role and as a narrator; developing the story and magic of Mary Poppins around us. There is a warmth in his speaking, singing and dancing. He compliments Mary over and over, and even she seems smitten by him.
Who is dick van dyke?
Bert is played by legendary singer, dancer, actor, comedian, and writer Dick Van Dyke. Dick grew up in Danville, Illinois. Since working as an entertainer for the troops during WWII, he was interested in pursuing his career as an artist. He went on the road with his friend Phil Erickson, picking up gigs in comedy clubs whenever they got the chance. His talent was later noticed by radio producers, and he made his way onto television after that. Dick’s first film appearance was in Bye Bye Birdie (1963), after originating a lead role on Broadway for several years beforehand. Dick also had his own sitcom, The Dick Van Dyke Show, created by Carl Reiner. His career was already soaring by the time Walt Disney got to him, offering him the role of Bert the chimney sweep. Dick had no previous formal dance or song training, but he was determined to bring the character to life. Van Dyke was in 7 television series from 1957-1960, and continued on after Mary Poppins to star in more blockbusters such as What a Way to Go! (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and the Night at the Museum triology. Since Mary Poppins in 1964, he has been involved in 40+ movies and 20+ televisions series. He is still alive and well today at 93 years old, still making appearances in film, tv, and live stage.
Step in time
One of Bert's most well known, iconic, entirely irreplaceable moments in Disney history is when he performs "Step in Time", with his fellow chimney sweeps. Van Dyke's smile, laugh, and overwhelming amount of energy in this song is what makes it magic. Van Dyke has since appeared at the Disneyland 60th anniversary special, joining Derek Hough and others in performing a tribute to "Step in Time". He tap dances, and takes center stage at 91 years old. His appearance is the epitome of ageless Disney magic, and how full circle classics can really take you.
mr. dawes senior & junior
During the filming of Mary Poppins, Dick was interested in the role of Mr. Dawes Senior, the old banker. He asked Walt if he could do the part for free, but Walt said he could only have it if he donated $2,000 to his art school. Van Dyke put on prosthetic makeup and walked around the studio grounds as the old man; even young Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber didn’t know it was him. In the credits, instead of giving away that it was him playing both parts, they put that Dawes was played by "Navckid Keyd", which is Dick Van Dyke's name jumbled. Mr. Dawes Senior is the chairman of the bank, very serious, professional, and especially old. In tribute to Van Dyke's character in this movie, the recent adaptation Mary Poppins Returns, features Dick Van Dyke playing Mr. Dawes Junior. He played this role at 91 years old, still dancing around the room, getting up on the desk and tap dancing, and promptly jumping off the desk to slump in a chair and give a tear-jerking monologue.
In my own experience watching Mary Poppins Returns, I couldn't help but well up in tears over his story about Michael Banks as a child, wanting to feed the birds but instead investing his tuppence into the bank. In the end, this tuppence is what saves the Banks' house. This is my favorite thing about Disney - their little nods to their past work that has molded generations upon generations. It is so satisfactory to see Michael thrive over something small he did 25 years ago (but in real time, 54 years ago).
In an interview with the Mary Poppins Returns director Rob Marshall, he said that he was nervous for the dance scene with Van Dyke, but knew he still had it in him, since he stays so active. Marshall placed Emily Blunt (who plays Mary), and Lin Manuel Miranda (who plays Jack), at the sides of the desk to assist him up. If you watch the clip, Van Dyke takes neither of their hands, and hoists himself up no problem. He at no time looks to them for help, as playing a singing, dancing character seems to be innate for him. In an interview with Emily Blunt for This Morning, she says that those days of filming with him, the atmosphere of the set was magical, and the cast and crew all sat around and admired him. In another interview, it was said that everyone was crying that day on set as well, as it was emotional to have such a large piece of the original film there, and his monologue in the movie made director Rob Marshall cry so much that he couldn't even yell cut.
Dick Van Dyke as Bert was the single smartest decision by Disney at the time, even though Mary Poppins author P.L Travers felt him and Julie Andrews were not the right fit for her dark story. He delivered in a way that I haven't experienced from a lot of other movies, he made that movie magical, he made the new movie magical, and he makes every other Mary Poppins tribute, magical.
Oh, it’s a Jolly Holiday with you Bert.
