Helena Bonham Carter’s single favourite movie of all time: “I love the magic”
From blowing up buildings in Fight Club to turning people into pies in Sweeney Todd, so much of Helena Bonham Carter‘s output is steeped in blood, guts, and mayhem, earning her her reputation as a ‘Queen of the Night’, which was only bolstered during her marriage to Tim Burton, the twisted mastermind behind some of her darkest movies.
While I wouldn’t recommend her entire filmography to the wee ones, Carter has made more than a few appearances in notable kids films.
She might have joined the series once it had become more adult, but millions of fans will remember growing up with her as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films. She’s appeared in numerous others based on children’s books, notably Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, making her a stalwart of many a childhood.
As it turns out, Carter is a fan of movies with a certificate of PG or under. She revealed this tidbit in a discussion with author Cindy Pearlman as part of her book, You Gotta See This: More Than 100 of Hollywood’s Best Reveal and Discuss Their Favorite Films. Her pick of the bunch is an all-time classic and, in her eyes, beats out any other film aimed at any audience.
“My favorite film of all time is Mary Poppins,” she said, “I love musicals and I love Julie Andrews. I also adore the penguins and all the little animals. It’s just such a heartwarming movie. I even modeled a bit of my house on that movie. I like the captain, too, because he’s just such a joy. Can I say one more thing about Julie? She’s so beautiful. But more than anything, I love the magic in that movie. I adore the rooftop chimney and the fantastic old England stuff.”
The “little animals” Carter is referring to are part of the film’s famous animated sequence. As Mary and Dick Van Dyke’s Bert (the world’s most genuine cockney) stroll through a chalk painting they have magically leapt into, they are serenaded by an array of cartoon animals brought to life.
The scene in which Bert dances alongside a series of penguins was achieved in a very unusual way, which saw Van Dyke dance in front of a white screen lit by sodium vapour, lending the background a yellow hue that could then be separated into a new roll of film. The rest of the footage could then be overlaid onto a background of the artists’ choosing; this technique won the film the ‘Best Visual Effects’ prize at the Oscars.
Speaking of the Oscars, Julie Andrews was named ‘Best Actress’ for her turn as the world’s greatest nanny. She then used her acceptance speech to get revenge on a producer who had snubbed her some years prior. Don’t mess with Andrews, she holds a grudge like you wouldn’t believe.
You’d find it hard to track down anyone who didn’t have nice things to say about Mary Poppins. It is, without hyperbole, one of the greatest films ever made, and if you disagree, then I hate to say it, but you may not have a heart.
