<P> Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical - fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney, with songs written and composed by the Sherman Brothers . The screenplay is by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, loosely based on P.L. Travers' book series Mary Poppins . The film, which combines live - action and animation, stars Julie Andrews in the role of Mary Poppins who visits a dysfunctional family in London and employs her unique brand of lifestyle to improve the family's dynamic . Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns are featured in supporting roles . The film was shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California using painted London background scenes . </P> <P> Mary Poppins was released on August 27, 1964, to universal acclaim, receiving a total of thirteen Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture--an unsurpassed record for any other film released by Walt Disney Studios--and won five; Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher - ee". In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Mary Poppins is widely considered to be Walt Disney's "crowning achievement", being his only film to garner a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars in his lifetime . </P> <P> In Edwardian London, 1910, Bert entertains a crowd when he senses a change in the wind . Afterwards, he directly addresses the audience and gives them a tour of Cherry Tree Lane, stopping outside the home of the Banks family . George Banks returns home from his job at the bank to learn from Winifred that Katie Nanna has left their service after Jane and Michael ran away "again". They are returned shortly after by the local constable, who reveals the children were chasing a lost kite . Jane and Michael ask their father to help build a better kite, but he dismisses them . Taking it upon himself to hire a nanny, George advertises for a stern, no - nonsense nanny . Instead, Jane and Michael present their own advertisement for a kinder, sweeter nanny, but once George rips up the letter and throws the scraps in the fireplace, the remains of the advertisement magically float up and out into the air . </P> <P> The next day, a queue of elderly, sour - faced nannies appear outside . However, a strong gust of wind blows the nannies away, and Jane and Michael witness a young nanny descend from the sky using her umbrella . Presenting herself to George, Mary Poppins calmly produces the children's now restored advertisement and agrees with its requests, but promises the astonished banker she will be firm with his children . As George puzzles over the return of the advertisement, Mary is forced to hire herself and meets the children, then helps them to tidy their nursery through song, before heading out for a walk in the park . </P>

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