The Truth About Julie Andrews' Relationship With Dick Van Dyke

When "Mary Poppins" was first released in 1964, it captured the hearts of audiences everywhere — both young and old. The story of the ever-busy banker, George Banks, hiring the magical nanny Mary Poppins to look after his children through various adventures was mesmerizing, as was the addition of Mary Poppins' friend, the cockney chimney sweeper, Bert.

While children were drawn to the musical numbers and colorful mix of live-action and animation sequences, adults enjoyed watching the charming relationship between Mary Poppins and Bert, played by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, respectively. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and Andrews even gushed about her co-star later on in her 2008 biography, "Home: A Memoir of My Early Years." As she wrote (via Vanity Fair), "He was dazzlingly inventive, always in a sunny mood, and he often made me roar with laughter at his antics." Sure enough, their friendship translated perfectly onto the silver screen.

"Mary Poppins" ended up being a hit, taking home five Academy Awards, one of which was Andrews' for her leading role as the titular character. She also went home with a newfound friendship with her co-star — one which has endured decades in Hollywood. Let's take a look at the truth about Julie Andrews' relationship with Dick Van Dyke.

It was fairly obvious that Julie Andrews had a knack for entertaining — even as a young girl. Per Biography, the U.K.-born star grew up with her entertainment industry parents, and before she was even in her teens, Andrews was already performing. As singer Petula Clark revealed to The Guardian, after being discovered at the age of 9 on a BBC show, she and Andrews — who was three years her senior — embarked on a U.K. tour by train to sing for British troops during World War II. "Now, she could really sing," recalled Clark.

By the time she was in her 20s, Andrews already had a few stage performances under her belt in America, and in 1960, she snagged her second Tony nomination for her lead role in the musical, "Camelot." From there, it only took her four years to transition over to Hollywood — and she flourished, snagging the titular role in "Mary Poppins."

"Nobody knew who she was," Dick Van Dyke shared on "The Dick Cavett Show" in 1974, adding that she was still just seen as a Broadway star. "I thought at that time, 'Just you wait,'" he mused, adding that after their film, she "became one of the biggest stars in the whole world." Of course, Van Dyke was absolutely correct.

"Mary Poppins" was an instant success. The flick took home five Oscars, was praised by reviewers, and according to "Film Facts," is 26th on their list of "the top 200 moneymaking movies of all time." And while Julie Andrews was a darling amongst critics (Variety dubbed her transition from Broadway to Hollywood a "triumph"), not everyone responded positively to Dick Van Dyke's performance as Bert.

Van Dyke, an American born in Missouri, took on the role of the chimney sweeper Bert and suddenly found himself having to do a cockney accent. The verdict? As USA Today revealed, critics "ripped" his attempt "to shreds." According to The Irish Times, it was later revealed that actor David Tomlinson helped Van Dyke with his accent. Tomlinson, who came from the more upper-class Henley-on-Thames in England, wasn't the best choice as a tutor for Van Dyke. "Oh, that was very generous of David," exclaimed Andrews to the outlet, adding that Van Dyke actually asked her for some training, as well. "I had the same experience, and he was very aware that he was stumbling about. He was adorable, so talented and charming anyway, so who cares, really!"

Andrews has stood by her friend in the years that followed, always one to offer up praise when outlets touch upon the American's attempt at the accent. "Doesn't seem to have harmed the film that much, 50 years later," she coyly told USA Today in 2013.

It's no secret that some of Hollywood's most iconic children's flicks were less than idyllic behind-the-scenes. "The Wizard of Oz" set was famously problematic, with director Victor Fleming even known to slap Judy Garland (via Time). While nothing that harrowing happened on the set of "Mary Poppins," its two leading stars were a far cry from being "practically perfect in every way," as was the flick's titular character.

"There was swearing. Julie Andrews was smoking on set," dished Karen Dotrice, who played youngster Jane Banks in the movie, to The Sun. Adding that behind the scenes, "It was a very real 1960s set," Dotrice further revealed, "They were polite around minors to begin with, but that soon ended."

While the concept of everyone's favorite cinematic nanny chain-smoking may come as a surprise, Dick Van Dyke's antics while cameras weren't rolling weren't as happy-go-lucky as that of his character, Bert, either. According to The Sun, he was struggling with alcoholism. The actor has been upfront with his once-difficult battle, even opening up to The Telegraph about it. "I was an alcoholic for about 25 years," he explained, echoing Dotrice's comments that in the '60s, "everybody had their martini, everybody smoked incessantly." As Van Dyke added, "I would go to work with terrible hangovers which if you're dancing is really hard." Considering the amount of entertaining he had to do in "Mary Poppins," it's impressive he made it look so easy.

At the time of its release, critics loved watching Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in "Mary Poppins" together. The New York Times praised the flick, seemingly unable to pick their favorite moment. Two scenes that featured both Van Dyke and Andrews came up at the top of the list, from their animated "Jolly Holiday" sequence, to "a brilliant ballet" that saw the duo "scatter and leap with a gang of sooty chimney-sweeps on the London rooftops."

The two co-stars got along famously, too, and immediately after meeting, they became friends. In fact, considering how perfect the pair's on-screen chemistry was, it's remarkable they didn't grace the silver screen together again (save for one 1974 TV special). That being said, they came close to it, with Van Dyke's 1968 project, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" — a movie he also "repeatedly turned down." As the actor revealed in his book, "My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business: A Memoir," he thought the Roald Dahl-written movie had "too many holes and unanswered questions." Yet, the flick's producer, Albert Broccoli, "desperately" tried to get Andrews and Van Dyke on board together again, especially after the success of "Mary Poppins."

Van Dyke eventually signed on for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," but his former co-star didn't budge. According to "​​Julie Andrews: An Intimate Biography," she didn't want to do anything similar to her "Poppins" character, and the role of Truly Scrumptious was cutting it a bit too close.

Dick Van Dyke was immediately drawn to his co-star, Julie Andrews, when they met on the set of "Mary Poppins." In his book, "My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business: A Memoir," Van Dyke dubbed his friend as his "perfect partner" in the movie, praising her personality and talent. "She was a lady first and foremost, but she also had a great, whimsical sense of humor," he mused, and coming from a legendary comedian such as himself, that's high praise. Van Dyke also praised how easy it was to work with Andrews and claimed she "never once" complained.

After "Mary Poppins" debuted in 1964, Andrews and Van Dyke eventually went their separate ways — but it doesn't mean they haven't stayed in touch. In fact, as Andrews revealed in her 2019 biography, "Home: A Memoir of My Early Years," it appeared that her former co-star must have at one point danced for her again, as she revealed "he can still execute [his] step" that saw him kicking and flailing his legs up high during their "Jolly Holiday" sequence (via Vanity Fair).

In December 2013, the two longtime pals had their red carpet reunion 50 years later during the premiere of "Saving Mr. Banks," per Us Weekly. As the outlet notes, they "were spotted catching up like old friends."