The Annual Disney Christmas Movie

I remember the days when I was a kid.   Starting around October, you would start poring over the newspapers or watching the television ads.  You had to know what would be that year's big Christmas movie from Walt Disney.  It would likely play at RKO Proctor's in Mount Vernon.  Or, even better, the Radio City Music Hall.  I would have to con my mother into taking me to see it there complete with Rockette Toy Soldiers dancing in formation.  I'd pray that it wouldn't snow on that day.

Disney has kept up with this tradition over the decades.  I'm not waiting feverishly anymore.   RKO Proctor's is closed.  Radio City Music Hall doesn't really play movies any more.

And, in a totally bizarre twist, this year's Christmas release, "Saving Mr. Banks," is a movie that no kid under the age of 25 would be interested in seeing.

Go figure.

That's not to say that "Saving Mr. Banks" isn't worth your time.   Especially if you're over the age of 35.   As a matter of fact, I thought the film was terrific and will be duly honored come Oscar nomination day.  It's just not a movie that you can share with your family.

Unless, of course, everybody in your family is over the age of 35.

Meanwhile, I saw it at a special screening in early November.  Disney was cooking up the Oscar buzz early and, prior to the film, there was a Q and A with star Emma Thompson and film historian Leonard Maltin.  It was a delightful evening.

And everybody in the audience was over the age of 35.

Indeed, "Saving Mr. Banks" would be a hit across several...ahem...older generations.  It's all about the production of "Mary Poppins" and everybody has special memories of that legendary Disney movie.

If you're over the age of 35.  

The story has it that Walt Disney spent several decades trying to get the rights to film the magical character of Mary Poppins from the creator and author P.L. Travers.  Mrs. Travers was a bit crabby and was reluctant to give Mary over to anybody without her many stipulations.  No singing.  No dancing.  No cartoons.  The result was a battle of stubborn wits that is masterfully portrayed on the screen by Emma Thompson as Travers and Tom Hanks as Disney.

Walt is really a supporting player in this tale as the focus throughout is on Mrs. Travers.  Her first trip to Los Angeles.  Her work with the film's production crew, including the famed songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman.  Her annoyance at it all.

At the same time, though, we are frequently brought back to her years as a child in Australia.  With a loser of a dad who drank himself into sickness and created more than one harrowing experience for his children.  They're ultimately visited by a caregiver and you see Mrs. Travers recalling it all.  Stories that eventually wound up in her books.  While, at times, the Outback flashbacks seem to disturb the flow of the movie, you also realize that they are necessary to let us understand the very complex layers of this author.  

Of course, the Hollywood portion of the movie is riveting with an interesting spin on how movies were made back in the 60s.  Mrs. Travers' obstinence at every turn is fun to watch.  And the scene where she actually starts to like what is going on and participates in a dance set to "Let's Go Fly a Kite" is an exhilarating screen moment.

The film looks authentic with great set pieces featuring the Beverly Hills Hotel, Walt Disney Studios, Grauman's Chinese Theater, and even Disneyland brought back to look the way it did in 1963.  The attention to detail is spot on.  And the cast is superlative.  Emma Thompson is sure to get an Oscar nomination.  Hanks and Paul Giamatti as Mrs. Travers' chauffeur also shine.  One might quibble at the length and think that there's one flashback to England too many.  

But, still, I can't find much fault with this terrific Disney Christmas release.  Even if I did see it in early November.

After all, how could I not like "Saving Mr. Banks?"  I am over the age of 35.

LEN'S RATING:   Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Leftover manicotti.