Mary Poppins is arguably one of most successful films in its history. The 1964 hit launched the careers of leading stars Julie Andrews – who played Mary – and Dick Van Dyke – who played her pal Bert. It’s fair to say these roles cemented their names in history.
Following the success of the film, Julie went on to land infamous roles in The Sound of Music and The Princess Diaries. Meanwhile, Dick famously starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Dick Tracy. But what fans of the family favourite may be surprised to know is that the 98-year-old also secured a second role on Mary Poppins that is often overlooked by viewers.
As the beloved film celebrates its 60th anniversary on the silver screen, Daily Star has taken a look back at the magician’s forgotten role. Dick sat down with his successor ahead of the launch of the 2018 sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, played by Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, In a behind-the-scenes special, Mary Poppins Returns: Behind the Magic, Van Dyke revealed that he begged Walt Disney for permission to play a second role. He told the 44-year-old actor that he sought permission to take on the role of Mr.
Dawes Sr, the greedy banker, as well as Poppins’ close friend, Bert. But at the time, Disney said no – unless he paid for it. Dick recalled: “I had to go to Walt and ask him for the part.
He wouldn’t give it to me. I said, ‘I’ll do it for nothing’. Actually, I had to give him $4,000 (£3,000).
I paid him to do the part. And I’d do it again!” In an interview with the , the actor added that that he had to do a screen test before he was given the second part. He told the publication: “[Disney] made me do a screen test, so I got all made up.
“Then we stood outside in front of the Banks house, and I just fooled around a little bit as the character. I think what got him was at the end I pretended to pee in the bushes. “Then he said, ‘You have to give a $4,000 donation to CalArts [California Institute of the Arts, the visual and performing arts school founded by Disney in 1961].
So I said, ‘It’s worth every penny’. That’s the first time I ever bought a part.” Van Dyke was the only actor from the original film to return for the sequel.
Although he couldn’t reprise his role as Bert, the actor took on a different character that was a sweet nod to his forgotten second part. The Hollywood favourite portrayed Mr. Dawes Junior – the son of the greedy banker he played in the 1964 hit.
For his highly-anticipated return, the entertainer made sure to brush up on his British accent after receiving so much slack for his Cockney accent in the original movie. He told the outlet: “I’ve taken it on the chin for 60 years about my atrocious Cockney accent in the first movie. No one has ever forgotten it.
“Because of that, they had a language gal almost handcuffed to me. She made me sound pretty good. They won’t laugh at me on this one.
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