Tony Walton

Tony Walton (19342022) was a costumier and set designer whose first movie resulted in an Oscar nomination for “Mary Poppins.” working with his childhood sweetheart and then-wife, Julie Andrews. 

Above and below: Tony Walton and Julie Andrews on the set of Mary Poppins.

Walt Disney at the suggestion of the Sherman Brothers, changed the timeline for Mary Poppins from 1930 to 1910 as he didn't own the rights for Mary Shepards illustrations this change of date allowed Tony room to re-imagine the costumes for the characters. In this way Tony could avoid any accusations of copying the original illustrations from the book.

"I wanted to give Mary Poppins a secret life. I did this by making her clothes gray, black or slate but showing she had a secret life by their linings, which were always flashes of crimson or some very bright colour." Tony Walton 

Tony said: 'Because I think that's what gives her pleasure. Very formal on the outside and a little bit wicked on the inside, so to speak.""That completely gave me a clue as to her character. Big, big help for me." Julie Andrews 

As Mary Poppins flies a lot in the film, most of her costumes had to be duplicated in a larger size to accommodate the harness Julie Andrews had to wear. 

"This was a thick elastic body stocking, which started at my knees and ended above my waist. The flying wires passed through holes in the costume and were attached to steel panels on either hip."

 "I literally did a lot of 'hanging around' between takes, and when I was suspended, the steel panels pressed on my hip bones, which became very bruised. Sheepskin was added, which helped, although it was barely enough, since I couldn’t look too bulky." Julie Andrews