The legendary Dick van Dyke, 98, recalled the filming of the cult film Mary Poppins, spending beautiful words for the then newcomer Julie Andrews. The latter played the magical nanny who gives the film its title. The actor played the dual role of the chimney sweep Bert and Mr. Dawes.
There has been a lot of talk recently about Dick Van Dyke and for a sensational reason. The actor, on the threshold of his centenary, has set an important record: he is officially the oldest actor to have won a Daytime Emmy AwardThe 98-year-old took home the award as best guest star in a daytime drama series for the role of Timothy Robicheaux on the show Days of Our Lives. One thing is certain: we all remember him for his unforgettable role as the chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppinscult Disney dated 1964 with protagonist Julie Andrews.
Indeed, Van Dyke plays a double role. In addition to the protagonist’s right-hand man, he is also the grouch signor Daweselderly owner of the bank where he works signor Banks. Podcast guest Awards Chatter Of The Hollywood ReporterDick Van Dyke recalled the very times of shooting the splendid film directed by Robert Stevenson and winner of 5 Oscar Award.
In particular, he focused on talent of co-star Julie Andrewswho, in the film based on the novel by PL Travers, was at his debut on the big screen. The English diva’s film debut coincided with the victory of theOscar for Best Leading Actress. A more than deserved award, according to the colleague.
It was like she had done a lot of movies. She was cool as a cucumber… I’ll tell you what I did during the recording. She’s not only a soprano, she sang just a hair above the note. Just a little bit high, and I sing bass. So… what a sweat it was to get to the end of the album. I’m actually a bass, but I had to sing.
The actor added that Andrews was “really patient with him,” and that “everything was fine.” He then reiterated that he never expected to find himself facing an artist in her first film, since his co-star, who is now 88 years old, seemed really at ease.
Julie Andrewsin the CBS special Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic, he also recalled his first meeting with Dick Van Dyke.
I’d never done a film before, and I’d given birth to my lovely daughter Emma almost six weeks before, and I quickly realized I’d better roll up my sleeves and get back into shape. I found it quite daunting, I can tell you. Dick couldn’t have been kinder, more genuinely sweet and helpful. I like to think we bonded immediately.
What makes the star unique, added the diva, is his “completely original style” which makes him “totally unique”. “How lucky I was to have him by my side for my first venture into Hollywood,” she concluded.
To the flattering adjectives listed by the actress, we should undoubtedly add ‘unstoppable’. The lively Van Dyke, in fact, not only has no intention of retiring from the scene. On the contrary, the award he just received has given him the energy and inspiration for a new one-man show, which he is already working on.
“I was thinking of doing it: 80 years in business, I have many stories to tell – he confided to People – I thought I’d just do a one-man show, like, ‘Sit down and talk to the audience.’ If the project actually comes to fruition, we can’t wait to enjoy it!
