Search Results for: blog mary poppins a film classic oft overlooked

Tom Hanks to Play Walt Disney in “Poppins” Movie

Earlier in the year the internet was abuzz about a fake movie poster created by French graphic artist Pascal Witaszek. It featured actor (and former Mouseketeer) Ryan Gosling with dark hair and a mustache reclining in a train car. He held a pencil poised above a drawing pad. Outside the window a cloud formed the shape of a Mickey Mouse head with ears. The poster was for a Walt Disney biopic entitled “Walt,” starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Ron Howard. It was entirely fake, but plausible enough that it really got people thinking. What would a Walt Disney biopic … Continue reading →

The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

In addition to producing countless animated classics over the years, Disney has produced many great live action films, as well. One of these, a classic, is called “The Ugly Dachshund” and stars Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette as married couple Mark and Fran Garrison. Fran has a champion Dachshund named Danke, a spoiled little doggie who only gets the best food, bed, and overall royal treatment. Well, that’s what you have to do to raise a champion, and now Fran is delighted to learn that Danke is having puppies. She’ll be able to raise those puppies to be champions as … Continue reading →

Baby Geniuses (1999)

I liked this movie, I liked this movie not. There are points on both sides of the equation. Dr. Kinder (Kathleen Turner) has established a huge scientific laboratory for the purpose of studying babies. She believes that babies communicate in their own special ways and that if she could tap into that language, she would be world-famous. She masks all her plans with talk of philanthropy and fundraisers, hiding her real intent – to make lots and lots of money. Her niece, Robin (Kim Cattrall) has always thought things were a little fishy with her aunt, but she’s never quite … Continue reading →

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

Zzzzz……… Zzzzzz………… Oh, I’m sorry. How embarrassing! I must have fallen asleep. But then, that’s what this movie will do to you. “The Secret of Roan Inish” is the PG-rated story of a ten-year-old girl named Fiona whose mother has recently died. Her father isn’t able to take proper care of her and her older brothers are all working long hours to keep the rest of the family afloat, so Fiona is sent to the small fishing village of Donegal, Ireland, to live with her grandparents. Upon her arrival, she starts hearing tales of her ancestors, all true Irishmen and … Continue reading →

Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

I was raised in a household where witchcraft was an absolute no-no. Any form of magic was frowned on. I can understand this – it’s natural for parents to want to protect their children from anything that smacks of the Occult. But there are some forms of magic I think are just fun, and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” is one of them. Angela Lansbury stars as Eglantine Price, a single woman who lives in a secluded house. This separation from the rest of the English village of Pepperinge Eye is perfect for her purposes – you see, she’s taking a correspondence … Continue reading →

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

One of the most beloved children’s movies of all time, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is a fanciful tale based on the novel by Ian Fleming, which was published in 1964. Our main character is Caractacus Potts, played by Dick Van Dyke. Potts is a widower, struggling to raise his two imaginative children on his own. However, they come by their imaginations honestly – Potts is an inventor, and his creations are anything but ordinary. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a broken down race car that once held a place of honor as a three-time Grand Prix winner. Jeremy and Jemima … Continue reading →

The Court Jester (1955)

Danny Kaye is a comic genius, and I think “The Court Jester” is his finest film ever. His rare talent for fast talking, double-paced action, and outrageous facial expressions make this movie a must see, and dare I say, a must have, for any family library. Kaye plays Hawkins, a former circus performer who now belongs to a band of other outlaws led by the Black Fox, whose mission is to overthrow the wicked King Roderick and place the rightful king on the throne. That rightful king will be recognized by the purple pimpernel birthmark on his buttock, and a … Continue reading →

Sing, Sing, Sing!

The three of us in my family are enthusiastic fans of musical films such as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “Mary Poppins” and “Singin’ in the Rain”. We adore the singing, dancing and acting – even thought it is at times a bit campy. There is something extremely special about the innocence, and the lack of irony, in that age of filmmaking. Something occurred to me recently, while watching Julie Andrews transition smoothly from speaking her lines to Jane and Michael to all of a sudden singing “A Spoonful of Sugar”: My daughter has never once mentioned the singing as something … Continue reading →

Oklahoma! (1955)

It’s a beautiful morning in Oklahoma. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye. At least, that’s what Curly says through song as he’s riding through the fields during the opening credits of this Hammerstein classic. Aunt Eller is a widow woman who lives on a small farm in Oklahoma. Her niece, Laurey, lives with her and helps her out, and they have a hired hand, Jud Fry. They are making due, but it’s hard running a farm with such a small crew. Curly (Gordon MacRae) is a cowboy, and … Continue reading →

The Three Lives of Thomasina (1964)

This movie is one of Disney’s classic films. Set in the highlands of Scotland in the early 1900’s, it is the story of Thomasina, an orange cat who manages to bring a family together. It’s quite a feat how she did it; this family was so very dysfunctional. Mary is the six-year-old daughter of Andrew McDhui, veterinarian. They have only lived in their small village for a short time. The farmers have relied on their old, traditional ways of treating animals and aren’t sure if they trust this newfangled doctor with his medicines and ideas. Dr. McDhui feels that it’s … Continue reading →