Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1964: David Tomlinson in Mary Poppins

David Tomlinson did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Mr. George W. Banks in Mary Poppins. 

Having re-watched Mary Poppins after many years, I can safely say it's not quite my film, though not for lack of trying, nor true lack of enjoyment on my part. There's much to admire, though it is not a film I love as so many seem to. 

 

Mary Poppins is largely about character having fun, with some live lesson intertwined there somewhere, but mostly having fun. This as much of the characters are operatically perfect in every way, well Mary that is, though Bert the Chimney seems just as altruistic, despite clearly being a man pretending to be cockney for some reason, or even the Banks children who seemingly just want to have harmless fun despite their run through of many nannies. The most dynamic character actually is Tomlinson's Mr. Banks, who Mary really is there for after all. This as the man more concerned with his job as an aptly named banker than spending time with his children. Now it has to be said Tomlinson is a rather delightful performer. An Englishman who seemingly is a perfect kind of Englishman in every sense of being prim, proper, but also always a bit not quite comfortable with anything that isn't as he is. In the early scenes of the film Tomlinson finds the most wonderful balance in being comically enjoyable while hitting the appropriate manner as the seemingly stern father. Tomlinson belting his tunes about such with a severe consistency, that appropriately sets up his character, while also being entertaining in presenting the man's forthrightness. These balances though against meeting Mary and dealing with his "troublesome" children. Tomlinson's reaction of befuddlement at Mary's manner are especially well timed in creating the perfect setup for the man who is to learn something from her atypical and unexpected ways. 

Re-watching the scenes after so many years, Tomlinson's scenes are where the film comes most to life, and part of that is where we finds the film at its most entertaining but also its most mature. This particularly as he tries to take charge of his children again by having them invest a tuppence into his bank. Tomlinson's performance even in this scene is essential in it is combined with the befuddlement towards Mary's way, and some stern exception to them at times, however in that he doesn't overplay to point of antagonism, rather he plays it as ignorance. This even in speaking to his kids about investing it is with a sincere pride that Tomlinson underlies within every word as he suggests the plan to them. When things then go awry as the children want to give the money to an elderly bird lady to feed the birds rather than invest, somehow leading to a run on his bank, Tomlinson's performance again works best in more his sheer disbelief in the circumstances rather than even genuine anger at what has transpired. This despite the event leading him to be called by his bosses to answer for the event leading to a somber walk to the bank alone. This silent scene, other than the particularly haunting score, is the best scene in the film, and Tomlinson is essential in this. This of course his initial expression of a somber acceptance of his fate of probably being fired, but more so a brief reaction, that is the most powerful moment in the entire film. This reaction being as he stops at the steps where the bird lady say, and sees she is gone. Tomlinson in this singular moment creates entirely the sense of guilt, and empathy in the moment. A heartbreaking reaction that in itself earns his transition as you see such a potent reflection of the man's understanding that money isn't everything in the moment. It again is only few seconds long and it is a testament to his performance that the moment leaves as strong of an impression as it does. Tomlinson through wholly earns the following scene as he first silently is fired by his bosses, before clapping back at them via the fun nonsense Mary taught him. Tomlinson is amazing in the scene by just bringing so much joy and zest into every delivery. This as there isn't just fun being had, but this kind of sense of exhilaration of a man who has been hiding these feelings, however has been wanting to experience these feelings for some time. This transitioning to him fully embracing his family by fully having fun with them by flying a kite. Tomlinson's singing now no longer structure, but rather exuberance and filled with the experience. An overabundance of warmth being spread in every moment, and a real sense of the love Mr. Banks feels for every member of his family now. Mr. Banks and Tomlinson's realization of him is what takes the film beyond just a trifle, and delivery on this he does. This in creating the true person needing saving by Mary Poppins, and Tomlinson realizing this portrait of a man finding joy again, with such infectious energy, humor and heart.