Practically Perfect in Every Way Quiz

Answer: rather stupid

One of the funniest lines ever to come out of a musical.

Answer: 13 and 5

This gorgeous little epic of magical fantasy won Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Andrews); Best Special Visual Effects; Best Film Editing; Best Musical Score (Substantially Original) and Best Song (for Chim-Chim-Cheree). The categories in which it was nominated but failed to win were Best Art Decoration; Best Cinematography; Best Costume Design; Best Director (Robert Stevenson); Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment; Best Picture; Best Sound; and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Answer: Karen Dotrice

Karen Dotrice, the daughter of actor Roy Dotrice, also starred in 'The Thirty-nine Steps', playing Alex Mackenzie, in 1978. She seems to have given up film since then. 'Mary Poppins' was the last film of Jane Darwell, who played the Bird Woman and spoke a single line ('Feed the birds - tuppence a bag'). Darwell won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1941 for her powerful portrayal of Ma Joad in 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Glynis Johns plays Winifred Banks and the glorious Elsa Lanchester (better known for 'Bride of Frankenstein') plays grumpy Katie Nana.

Answer: Emmeline Pankhurst

Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the Women's Social and Political Union and tireless campaigner for women's rights, particularly for the right to vote, was known for her (then) innovative civil disobedience actions. Over seven years in the early twentieth century she was regularly imprisoned and in one eighteen-month period engaged in no fewer than ten hunger strikes. ('Take heart, for Mrs Pankhurst has been clapped in irons again!') She also campaigned for women's involvement in the war effort during the First World War and finally became a Conservative Party candidate in 1925.

Answer: Mr Dawes, Sr.

George Banks is played by David Tomlinson, who played several villains during his career, most notably in one of the 'Herbie' films. The incomparable Arthur Treacher, who starred as Jeeves opposite David Niven's Bertie Wooster, plays Constable Jones. It is thus van Dyke who dons the beard and fluffy eyebrows of the doddery old man who 'died laughing', to the joy and relief of his grateful son (Mr Dawes's son, not van Dyke's).

The joke that killed him? 'I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.' 'What's the name of his other leg?'

Answer: Ed Wynn

Ed Wynn, known for his delightful comedic roles which included Mr Hofstedder in 'That Darn Cat!' and the memorable voice of the Mad Hatter in 'Alice in Wonderland', also played in more serious films, including 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' and 'The Diary of Anne Frank'.

Answer: Andrew

Bert: 'Miss Lark... likes to walk... in the park... with Andrew!' As an owner of two terriers myself, I thoroughly approve this casting decision.

Answer: Travers

P.L. Travers reportedly approved of the casting of Julie Andrews as her zany nanny when she heard the actress's voice over the telephone.

Answer: Nanny

Mrs Banks commandeers him to look after the children, but she actually employs him as a chimney sweep (thus overriding the more pressing need of the Lord Mayor, whose chimney is blocked up 'something awful'). Eddie Izzard is right - it does sound like he went to Australia to learn his cockney accent ('G'day, Mary Poppins, Ah'm a chimney sweep... I wuz talkin' to Charlene today, she's a chimney sweep too... Gor blimey, cor luvaduck and throw another tube of lager on the barbie!')

Answer: yes

Incidentally, when Mary Poppins says it 'backwards' in the film, she merely reverses the syllables (except the last two, which stay in their original order but move to the front): 'dociousaliexpilisticfragicalirupus'.

Answer: Irish

If 'Ah, faith and begorrah' wasn't giveaway enough, I don't know what is!

Answer: East

Bert: 'Wind's in the east... mist's comin' in... like something is brewin', about to begin. Can't put me finger... on what lies in store... but I feel what's to happen all happened before. (Suddenly coming out of his daze) I'm sorry, where was I?'

Answer: Extremely stubborn and suspicious

When Mary reads out the measuring tape's estimation of him, he insists 'I am not!'. Michael's suspicion (that Mary Poppins is clearly a witch) causes him to go through her carpet bag looking for evidence. He finds nothing, of course, although she subsequently extracts a plant, a standing lamp and a singing mirror, amongst other things. 'Close your mouth, Michael, we are not a codfish.'

Answer: Even for Americans

The result of the Boston Tea Party was a run on the bank, an occurrence which the Banks children have once more caused for the first time in almost a hundred and fifty years. Mr Banks giggles from time to time while he is being fired, prompting the bank's directors to suspect that he is losing his mind. 'Mad as a March hare,' says one of them as Banks dances off, kicking his heels, waving his demolished umbrella and singing 'A Spoonful of Sugar'. 'What a very pretty hat!' was Mr Banks's last line to Katie Nana as she harumphed her way out of the Banks house.

Answer: She looked so solemn and cross

Winifred's husband does ask that she 'never confuse efficiency with a liver complaint.' Mr and Mrs Banks are looking for someone to mold their young breed... and the rest is history. I hope you enjoyed the quiz. Check out my others by returning to the menu and clicking 'alkmene'.