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Original poster

To quite enjoy Dick Van Dyke's accent in Mary Poppins?

71 replies

HermioneWeasley · 30/12/2013 16:53

It makes the film distinctive, no?

Also, are we the only family to refer to him as "Penis van Lesbian"?

OP posts:
lookatmybutt · 30/12/2013 16:57

He just said he wanted a 'cuppa' in his hat!

I just realised it's the same little girl from The Three Lives of Thomasina; I fucking love that film.

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 30/12/2013 16:59

Never heard that before. You're on your own.

He's marvellous. I'm Essex. I think his accents rather charming. It ain't English. But cor blimey guv! Strike a light! E's a diamond geezer ain't 'e?

Totes amaze balls. Luv him to pieces.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/12/2013 17:02

Fantastic film. I hate crap accents but for some reason, possibly it's complete lack of any attempt to be genuine, I don't mind his.

TheNightIsDark · 30/12/2013 17:03

I love him. I was really shocked to find out he wasn't English Blush

In my defence I was about 8 and not the sharpest child!

GhostsInSnow · 30/12/2013 17:10

look in our house we just realised the little girl is Michelle Dotrices sister. Sadly the little boy died aged 21 Sad

SpocksThirdEar · 30/12/2013 17:13

Bless 'im! I didn't realise he wasn't English till I was grown up and had his terrible accent pointed out to me. Obviously when I was young he was what a Londoner sounded like (depsite my parents being Londoners and sounding nothing like him!)

Penis van Lesbian! Grin

Bowlersarm · 30/12/2013 17:14

It is a classic. The accent, that is.

Grennie · 30/12/2013 17:34

YABVVU his accent is one of the grating things about an otherwise good film. PL Travers the author of the book didn't want him to play the role.

MrsDavidBowie · 30/12/2013 17:38

I am loving Feed the Birds.

I hate pigeons, but it's a nice sentiment.

AlwaysDancing1234 · 30/12/2013 17:47

My DS aged 6 said "Bert speaks a bit funny..where is he from?" so he noticed the dodgy accent but he still adores the film!
I was about 10 years old before I realised that Dick Van Dyke also plays the elder Mr Dawes...that character speaks oddly too!!

lookatmybutt · 30/12/2013 17:57

Aww I though the little lad looked familiar. He was in Thomasina too. It's so sad about his early death.

Wevet · 30/12/2013 18:39

I think both the children are insanely cute. And I adore David Tomlinson and Glynis John. (For whom Sondheim wrote 'Send in the Clowns', while we're on 'facts vaguely to do with the cast of MP'...)

I think D van D's accent is hilarious. The thing about him that freaks me out is the bit when he pulls down the crotch of his trousers during 'It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary', and does the penguin dance...

Heartbrokenmum73 · 30/12/2013 18:45

I may be wrong, but I read somewhere that Dick Van Dyke had no theatrical/dance training before making that film. I love him for that fact alone - how well he holds his own against all the professionals.

Also adore him in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

revivingsnowshower · 30/12/2013 18:46

I like it too it goes with the whole strange but nice world of Mary Poppins.

KatnipEvergreen · 30/12/2013 18:48

Schtep in Time!

He is fab in the film, YANBU.

NewtRipley · 30/12/2013 18:52

Minnie

I'm also Essex. I've had people think i'm Australian, which is what Dick sounds like in Mary Poppins. This leads me to wonder whether Extreme Essex and Australian are linked.

LaurieFairyCake · 30/12/2013 18:55

I've never thought his accent was that bad, never occurred to me that he wasn't english

< also stupid as a child>

LexieSinclair · 30/12/2013 18:59

I fancy him a bit in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

getdownshep · 30/12/2013 19:08

Apparently he went for a stage show audition, did a little dance because he was nervous and the choreographer offered him the lead even though he had no dance training.
He must have just had natural talent.
I didn't know about the little boy dying young.

pippop1 · 30/12/2013 19:14

Were most of the people a bit orange in the film? Something to do with Californian tans perhaps? (or do we have a badly adjusted telly).

Minnieisthedevilmouse · 30/12/2013 19:21

Newt, I've been mistaken for Aussie too but only ever by Americans.

Wouldn't surprise me. Knowing the 'cheeky chaps' round here!

jay55 · 30/12/2013 19:35

As a kid I didnt realise he was meant to be English. All a part of the films charm.

JaneEyresHeir · 02/01/2014 20:14

Am watching it just now - it's on BBC4. I loved the film as a child - I remember being mesmerised at the cinema! It just wouldn't be the same without Bert's crap ridiculous accent - 'Oh, it's a jolly 'oliday wiv Mare-eeeee'.
Am looking forward to 'schtep in toime'.

So no, OP, YANBU.

Heartbrokenmum73 · 02/01/2014 20:36

'Itsh all me palsh!' Grin

My niece (5) had the DVD for Christmas and loved it.

DD collects the Disney rag dolls and the Mary Poppins one is completely gorgeous - flowers on the brim of the hat, flared coat, carpet bag and parrot-headed umbrella all present and correct.

SaucyJack · 02/01/2014 20:36

I always thought his accent was spot on as a kid....... until I realized it was supposed to be British and not Australian.

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