Dick Van Dyke's Timeless Charm Returns In 'Mary Poppins Returns'

Hey there, movie buffs! Let’s talk about the legendary Dick Van Dyke and his unforgettable journey through the magical world of Mary Poppins. In the 1964 original, Dick played the charming but slightly clumsy Bert, but in Mary Poppins Returns, he steps into a new role as Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of the original banker. And guess what? At 93 years old, Dick hasn’t slowed down one bit. In fact, he's still dancing up a storm—literally. Imagine this: Director Rob Marshall once spotted Dick dancing in the grocery store aisles. That’s right, folks, he’s always ready to bust a move!

From Banker to Banker’s Son: Full Circle

Now, let’s rewind for a moment. Back in the day, Dick Van Dyke was the lovable chimney sweep Bert in the original Mary Poppins. Fast forward to Mary Poppins Returns, and he’s now playing Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of the banker from the first film. Talk about coming full circle! It’s like life handing you a perfect script. Rob Marshall, the director of the new film, wasn’t worried about Dick’s ability to dance because, let’s be honest, the man’s got moves like nobody’s business. In an interview with the NY Times, Dick shared some insights into his role and how he’s managed to stay so spry over the years.

Staying Fit and Dancing Through Life

So, how does Dick keep his energy levels so high? When asked if he needed any special prep for his role, Dick joked, “Nope, I’m always dancing. I work out daily, mostly in the pool. I hit the gym for a bit of weight lifting, but at my age, I go easy on that. I’ve got a touch of arthritis from all those pratfalls over the years, but it’s not holding me back.” Interestingly, the dancing part wasn’t a problem for him. The real challenge? Nailing that British accent. “I’ve been teased for 60 years about my Cockney accent in the first movie,” Dick admitted. “To make sure I didn’t mess up this time, they had a dialect coach practically glued to my side. She did a fantastic job. I think I sound pretty convincing this time around!”

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A New Generation of Mary Poppins Fans

Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt as the titular character, is already delighting audiences worldwide. Dick hopes this new generation of kids will fall in love with the story just like the previous one. “I get tons of letters from kids who adore Mary Poppins,” he shared. “There’s something timeless about what Walt Disney created. I think this movie could have used a bit more of his magic touch. I felt there was too much reliance on computer animation at times. But hey, I’m a bit of a critic. [Laughs.] All in all, I think it’s a wonderful tribute to Walt.”

And let’s not forget, at 93, Dick shows no signs of slowing down. When asked about his plans, he quipped, “Who knows? Definitely not retirement, though. I’ve got a jazz band and a quartet I sing with. We perform quite a bit.” Sounds like Dick’s living life to the fullest, inspiring all of us to keep moving and grooving no matter our age. Hats off to you, Dick!

Mary Poppins Returns also features an all-star cast including Colin Firth, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Meryl Streep.