The beloved 1964 film featured many iconic performances.
Public domain/Wikimedia Commons Screenshot from the trailer for the film Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke was one of the honorees at the 2021 Kennedy Center Awards. The movie and television legend’s career was showcased as he accepted the honor along with fellow honorees Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, and Midori. At age 95, Van Dyke boasts a long resume in the entertainment industry, dating back to the late 1950s, per IMDB. One of his most beloved roles was in the 1964 movie “Mary Poppins,” in which he played dual roles as jack-of-all-trades, Bert the chimney sweep, as well as the role of bank chairman Mr. Dawes. In an interview with CNN, Van Dyke once said “Mary Poppins” was his favorite role in his six-decade career. “Probably the role in ‘Mary Poppins’ was the most fun I ever had,” he said. “It was so much fun. That’s my favorite movie too.” The Oscar-winning classic film was a vast showcase for Van Dyke’s singing and dancing skills. Here’s a look back at some of Van Dyke’s most iconic performances in “Mary Poppins.” Mary Poppins – Chim Cheree [HD] Brings me back to the childhood – enjoy! 2012-12-29T20:23:32Z One of the best-known songs from ”Mary Poppins” is “ Chim Cher-ee,” the famous duet by Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. But Van Dyke also performed a solo version of the song as his character drew his chalk art on the streets of London. The character of Bert didn’t exist until composers Robert and Richard Sherman wrote the song. They were inspired by a sketch of a whistling chimney sweep and initially thought Mary Poppins would sing the tune to the children but Walt Disney stepped in and suggested it would better to create a new character, “Walt said, ‘You know, we have this guy that draws pictures on the pavement and we have a one-man band and we have a fellow who flies kites – why don’t we make them all one fellow and call him Bert, and he’ll be the chimney sweep too?” Robert Sherman once said, per SongFacts.
