Years ago a friend excitedly told me 'My Fair Lady' was being restored, and my immediate reaction was to think that the only worthwhile restoration would be one that replaced Audrey Hepburn with Julie Andrews.

But Shaw's loss was P. L. Travers' gain and Andrews was practically the only thing about this glossy, overlong travesty that never leaves the studio that Travers liked. (Although Disney did her the courtesy of giving her a credit as ''Consultant' it's unlikely that she got consulted much, and what she really thought of the end result is evident from the fact that she never authorised a sequel.) Another thing that Travers did like, however, was 'Feed the Birds'; which moved me to add another point to my rating.

The one moment in the entire film that captures the rather remote and mysterious Ms Poppins of the original book - and one of the few understated moments in the entire movie - is the first appearance of Mary seen from behind in long shot sitting on a cloud; but already the noisy music score signals what to expect.

The special effects now look primitive, but CGI will probably look even more dated in sixty years time; and at least the camera isn't constantly swaying about in steadicam the way it is today.

Dick Van Dyke's Cockney accent has been much mocked, but the gusto with which he throws himself into the part amply compensates; and if you can buy dancing animated penguins, singing suffragettes (featuring rather earlier than they did historically since the film is set in 1910),mechanical robins and a talking umbrella, what's a silly accent between friends?

(P. S. Van Dyke as the bank president manages to look even older than he now does at 95; and this must be one of the very few films from the early sixties in which three of the four leads are still with us.)

I have to point out that when I was a young child, I didn't particularly like this film. I think it's because the movie has less appeal to young viewers--and I remember disliking it because I wanted to see ALL animation! However, as I got older and saw it again, I realized how delightful the film was--and am glad I gave it another try. Now, many years later, I have seen it several more times--including today. And, it still manages to make me smile.

The film has many nice things going for it--some of the best songs of any of the Disney films, fine acting and a nice family-centered plot. Julie Andrews is just great, though I have heard that Brits actually often laugh at Dick Van Dyke's accent in the film--as it's apparently not even close to being correct. Still, if this is the big complain about the film, then it's hardly worth mentioning. Exceptional in every way.

Now I am going to point out something that bothers me. Because I love this movie so much, I took my oldest daughter to see the play "Mary Poppins" when we were in New York. Although the play is wildly successful, we both disliked it a lot. Now the folks that acted in it were great and the sets were the best we've ever seen in a play. But, the characters themselves were NOT who they were in the film. Mary Poppins was more cold and self-centered and Mr. Banks physically abused the kids!!! Whose sick ideas were these?! And, while the play kept many of the songs, it skipped some of the best ones and introduced a few new ones instead--ones that just weren't as good. For example, they dropped "I Love to Laugh" and this entire subplot. Now you'd think maybe this was because of technical issues involving staging this live--but they then added a wall-walking scene that was VERY difficult to do. Odd. I DON'T recommend you see the play--just buy the film and save yourself some money--and have a better time as well.

This is a masterpiece of a film, I absolutely love this. Julie Andrews is more than splendid as the nanny, and I absolutely love her voice. Dick Van Dyke, despite the accent, should have gotten an award for his performance for sheer energy and enthusiasm, but I liked him marginally better in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. David Tomblinson is a blast as the father, as are the children. There is solid support also from the likes of Glynnis Johns, Hermione Baddely and Elsa Lanchester. (who I believe was Charles Laughton's wife) Plus Ed Wynn in a hilarious characterisation as Uncle Albert. The songs and choreography are what makes so timeless, as well as the outstanding animated sequences. One of my favourite scenes was the one on the ceiling, with the terrible jokes, but you couldn't help laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. In contrast Mr Banks walking to his financial doom ties with Feed the Birds as the most moving scene of the film. It also teaches some nice family values as well. I highly recommend this film. 10/10, without a shadow of a doubt. Bethany Cox