Now I’m not about to claim that I liked West Side Story, although I would declare it one of the more bearable musicals. But Mary Poppins did nothing for me. I can forgive myself for this attitude only because I was in the wrong age group. and it only gets a mention here because it was a great favourite of Americans written by an Australian who passed herself off as a proper Englishwoman, and there’s an interesting story attached to the film.
    Julie Andrews hit the big time on stage with My Fair Lady but when it came to making the movie, the ignorant moguls thought they needed a box office star as they always will and chose Audrey Hepburn for the role. Now we all love Audrey but she ain’t no singer and not much good at looking unglamorous either. Mr Disney, however, was quick to snaffle Julie Andrews for Poppins and the rest is Hollywood history.

When we arrived we parked outside and just sat there. Horrie said nothing. I waited for him to say something, and I could tell he wanted to. But there was nothing to say.
“Well, better get in there then,” I said and got out of the car. Horrie followed.
    I collected the pink card and went over to the bench to fill it in with the pen provided. Horrie dogged me all the way. I looked at my father sadly. The old man looked back at me, no less sadly. I seemed at the brink of speaking but I did not speak. I did not dare speak for fear of what I might say. With an unsteady hand, I filled in the card. When I banged the pen at the final full stop, Horrie almost jumped with fright. I gave him one last glance and Horrie averted his eyes. Then I turned and took the card to the man at the counter.
    Need it be pointed out it that it was the only raffle I ever won in my entire life.