Mary Poppins Returns development hell since the release of the 1964 film. Walt Disney attempted to produce a sequel a year subsequent to the film's release, but was rejected by author P. L. Travers, who had openly dismissed Disney's film adaptation. In the late 1980s, then-chairman of Walt Disney Studios Jeffrey Katzenberg and vice-president of live-action production Martin Kaplan approached Travers with the idea of a sequel set years after the first film, with the Banks children now as adults and an older Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews reprising the role. Travers again rejected the proposed concept with the exception of Andrews' return.
Mary Poppins (film) the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". "Variety" praised the film's musical sequences and the performances of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, in particular. "Time" lauded the film, stating, "The sets are luxuriant, the songs lilting, the scenario witty but impeccably sentimental, and the supporting cast only a pinfeather short of perfection." Critic Drew Casper summarized the impact of "Mary Poppins" in 2011: The film earned $31 million in North American rentals during its initial run. The film was re-released theatrically in 1973, in honor of Walt