It's been almost 60 years since the Disney classic Mary Poppins was released in theaters.
However, this week it emerged that the film's classification has changed significantly: the children's film's rating has been raised from U to PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
The BBFC now deems the 1964 story of Julie Andrews' magical nanny unsuitable for children to watch alone, despite the film enchanting generations of youngsters.
Its reclassification is due to the use of the word “Hottentots” – the outdated term was previously used by Europeans for the Khoekhoe, a group of nomadic pastoralists in South Africa, but is now considered racially offensive, and the decision was made by the Khoekhoe BBFC , who say they help families make “good choices” by providing guidance on what is and isn’t right for them.
Following the news, Web takes a look at what happened to the cast of Mary Poppins…
As Mary Poppins' rating is raised from U to PG, Web takes a look at what happened to the cast of Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins, pictured in 2022)
Julie Andrews made her film debut as Mary Poppins (center), released on December 23, 1964, at the age of 29
Julie Andrews-Mary Poppins
Julie Andrews made her film debut as Mary Poppins, released on December 23, 1964, at the age of 29.
The now 88-year-old actress won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in this role at the 37th Academy Awards in April 1965 in Santa Monica, California.
British star Julie was praised for her acting and singing skills, but was devastated when she was no longer able to sing due to neck surgery in 1997.
She sued the US surgeons after the operation for an undisclosed amount.
Julie was invited to make a cameo in a remake of Mary Poppins starring Emily Blunt in 2018, but she turned down the role, turning down the reported fee of £790,000. Director Rob Marshall said: “This is Emily's show and I want her to be in it.”'
She has worked on a number of projects, including the film Aquaman and Netlix's Bridgerton, which she represents as a voice artist.
Dick Van Dyke – Bert, the chimney sweep
Dick Van Dyke was known for playing the chirpy chimney sweep Bert, who sang the song Chim Chim Cher-ee in the film, for which he won the film an Oscar for Best Original Song (Dick pictured in 2021)
The now 98-year-old American actor Dick, who put on a Cockney accent for Mary Poppins, later starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, released in 1968 (starring opposite Julie Andrews as the title character in Mary Poppins).
Dick Van Dyke was known for playing the chirpy chimney sweep Bert, who sang the song Chim Chim Cher-ee in the film, for which he won the film an Oscar for Best Original Song.
The now 98-year-old American actor Dick, who put on a Cockney accent for Mary Poppins, later played the lead role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was released in 1968.
He also starred in the classic TV sitcom “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” which ran for five series from 1961 to 1966.
In 2018, he portrayed Mr. Dawes Jr. – the son of banker Mr. Dawes Sr., who appeared in the original film, a role Dick played opposite Bert – in the remake of Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns.
He also starred in 2006's Night At The Museum and 2014's Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb.
Dick, a father of four children and seven grandchildren, married makeup artist Arlene Silver in 2012. He was 86 years old at the time and she was 40.
In the past, the star has been open about his struggles with alcohol addiction. He said: “I would go to work with a terrible hangover, which is really hard when dancing.”
Karen Dotrice-Jane Banks
Karen Dotrice was just nine years old when she played the role of Jane Banks in Mary Poppins (Karen pictured with Dick Van Dyke).
She appeared in 1967's The Gnome Mobile with her brother Michael (below right), played by Matthew Garber (Karen, below left, seen as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins).
Karen Dotrice was just nine years old when she played the role of Jane Banks in Mary Poppins.
In 1967, she appeared in The Gnome Mobile with her brother Michael, played by Matthew Garber.
She starred without him in the '70s servant drama Upstairs Downstairs in the show's final season in 1975.
Karen retired from the industry in 1984 to concentrate on motherhood.
She has three children from two marriages.
Karen made a brief comeback as an actress when she accepted a role in the Mary Poppins remake, Mary Poppins Returns, in 2018.
In her cameo appearance, she played the role of Elegant Lady in Cherry Tree Lane.
Matthew Garber-Michael Banks
Matthew Garber played the role of Michael Banks (below right) in “Mary Poppins” at the age of eight.
Matthew Garber played the role of Michael Banks in “Mary Poppins” at the age of eight.
He then appeared in the films “The Three Lives of Thomasina” and “The Gnome” alongside his sister Karen, who played Jane.
Matthew died in 1977 at the age of 21 when he contracted hepatitis, which developed into pancreatitis, while traveling in India.
Karen paid tribute to him, saying: “He was what he looked like – a goblin and I loved being his shadow.”
“He loved to be naughty and find little buildings in the back yard and jump off of them.
“While I was of true Victorian descent and wouldn’t get dirty or muddy, Matthew had a great sense of fun and danger.”
“He was a daredevil and could have been a racing driver. And he lived a full life in his 21 years.”
David Tomlinson – Mr Banks
David Tomlinson played the strict but gentle patriarch Mr. Banks (left) in 1964's “Mary Poppins.”
David Tomlinson played the strict but gentle patriarch Mr. Banks in 1964's “Mary Poppins.”
He is also known for his role as Peter Thorndyke in the 1968 film The Love Bug and as quack magician Emelius Browne in 1971's Bedknobs And Broomsticks.
The British actor starred in everything from war films like 1945's Road to the Stars to the 1949 romantic comedy Warning to Wantons.
His first wife, Mary, tragically killed herself and their two when she jumped from a New York hotel in 1943 after being told she would not be allowed to join her husband in England until the end of the war.
A decade later he married his second wife Audrey and they had four sons together.
In 2000, he died suddenly at the age of 83 from complications of a stroke.
In 2002, he was posthumously named a Disney Legend.
Glynis Johns – Mrs. Banks
Famous Mary Poppins actress Glynis Johns died in January 2024 at the age of 100 (Pictured: Glynis at a Hollywood event to mark the 40th anniversary of Mary Poppins in 2004)
The actress starred in many famous films including Hostile Hostages, Miranda and The Court Jester (pictured clockwise from top left: David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Matthew Garber, Karen Dotrice in Mary Poppins).
Actress Glynis Johns, who played Mrs. Banks in Disney's 1964 classic “Mary Poppins” and had a career spanning eight decades, died last month at the age of 100.
The South African-born British actress died “peacefully” of natural causes at an assisted living home in Los Angeles on Thursday, January 4, her manager Mitch Clem said.
“Today is a sad day for Hollywood,” Clem said as he paid tribute to the Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen. “She’s the last of the last of old Hollywood.”
Onstage, Johns played Desiree Armfeldt in “A Little Night Music” and introduced the world to Stephen Sondheim’s bittersweet classic “Send in the Clowns.”
Over the course of her long career, the talented actress gained a reputation as a perfectionist and prided herself on always choosing diverse roles.
In her famous role in “Mary Poppins,” Johns played a mother who reconnects with her children thanks to her magical nanny, played by Julie Andrews, and performed a rousing rendition of “Sister Suffragette.”
“In my opinion, I'm not interested in playing the role on just one level,” Johns said in 1990. “The point of first-class acting is to make it real.” Be real. And I have to understand it in my own head to be real.'
Sharing the news of Johns' death, Mitch Clem said: “My heart is heavy today with the passing of my beloved client Glynis Johns.”
The talented actress earned a reputation as a perfectionist throughout her long career and prided herself on always choosing diverse roles (as seen as Winifred Banks in the classic 1964 Disney musical “Mary Poppins”).
“Glynis made her way through life with intelligence, wit and love of achievement and influenced the lives of millions of people.”
“She came into my life at the beginning of my career and set the bar very high for how to navigate this industry with grace, class and truth.” Your own truth.
“Her light shone very brightly for 100 years.” “She had a mind that could stop you in your tracks, driven by a heart that loved deeply and purely.”
“Today is a dark day for Hollywood. We mourn not only our dear Glynis, but also the end of the golden age of Hollywood.”