When someone asks you, if you could meet anyone in the world who would it be, what do you answer? For as long as I can remember my answer has always been the same, Dick Van Dyke. The First time I saw Mary Poppins I was captivated. It took me over a decade to realize that the old grumpy bank owner was actually Dick himself. I was in love with the man who could paint pictures on sidewalks and jump into them or sing and laugh on a ceiling. I know many people criticized his role in Poppins for his lack luster English accent, but to me that is exactly what made him Bert. Him and Walt became good friends during that filming and I can only imagine the stories he would have to share.
What he is most known for is his work on television, most notably the Dick Van Dyke show, which I have unfortunately seen very little of, but to me seems like the very show that is missing from the current tv line up. I recently read his self written biography (My Lucky Life in and out of Show Business) and it made me fall in love with him even more. The man has done so much in the world of theater, film and television that I had no idea about, yet stayed true to his morals and character. He’s only been working in the industry for six decades!
Dick Van Dyke, Walt Disney and Julie Andrews
I have a friend who works in the film industry in Vancouver. He worked on Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian which most people don’t realize but Dick Van Dyke was a part of until his scene was cut. He tells me stories all the time of how Dick would sing and dance on set almost every day. Oh how I wish I could have seen that. He seems to always have a smile on his face and a song to share.
There is one myth regarding Dick Van Dyke that I have heard circulated on the Disney web that I long to know the truth of. Its no secret that on many occasions Dick hosted Disney’s Candle Light Processional. The rumor is that on the nights he hosted he would join the other chimney sweeps on top of the paddle wheeler in Fantasmic unbeknownst to the audience. If anyone has proof of that it would make my year.
Kp and Andy with Dick's Character, Bert and Other Mary Poppins Characters
Dick Van Dyke is a theater, television and film legend. On top of all that he is a Disney legend. He even recently performed at D23 with his vocal quartet. I love his vim and vigor for life. Ever since he was born in 1925 he has never sat still for more than five minutes; always creating, always doing. I can only hope to have half the amount of energy that he has now. I wait for the day Dick Van Dyke returns to Vancouver to film again.
