<Li> Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, a magical and loving woman who descends down from the clouds in response to the Banks children's advertisement for a nanny . She is not only firm in her use of authority but gentle and kind as well, a major departure from the original books, in which the character was strict and pompous . </Li> <Li> Dick Van Dyke as Bert, a cockney jack - of - all - trades and Mary Poppins's closest friend, who is completely accustomed to her magic . Their playful interactions imply that they have known each other for a long time and that this kind of story has repeated itself many times . Bert has at least four jobs throughout the film: a one - man band, a pavement chalk artist, a chimney sweep, and a kite seller . <Ul> <Li> Dick Van Dyke also portrays Mr. Dawes Sr., the old director of the bank where Mr. Banks works . During the film's end titles, "Navckid Keyd", an anagram of Dick Van Dyke, is first credited as playing the role before the letters unscramble to reveal Van Dyke's name . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> Dick Van Dyke also portrays Mr. Dawes Sr., the old director of the bank where Mr. Banks works . During the film's end titles, "Navckid Keyd", an anagram of Dick Van Dyke, is first credited as playing the role before the letters unscramble to reveal Van Dyke's name . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Dick Van Dyke also portrays Mr. Dawes Sr., the old director of the bank where Mr. Banks works . During the film's end titles, "Navckid Keyd", an anagram of Dick Van Dyke, is first credited as playing the role before the letters unscramble to reveal Van Dyke's name . </Li>

Who plays the bank manager in mary poppins