Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Angela Lansbury's 'heartstring pulling performance' in Mary Poppins that made grown-ups 'lose it'

Dame Angela Lansbury was known for giving dazzling silver screen performances throughout her acting career.

And the movie star's appearance in Mary Poppins Returns reminded viewers just how talented the star was.

Her appearance in the 2018 movie was one of her last on-screen roles before her death age 96 on Tuesday October 11.

Many thought the iconic Hollywood star appeared in the original Mary Poppins flick but it is just the sequel she appears in – although Angela's character features in the original Mary Poppins book series by P.L. Travers.

Angela played the Balloon Lady in the film sequel, starring Emily Blunt, and her magical cameo in the movie saw her give a stunning performance of the movie's track Nowhere To Go But Up.

Angela Lansbury gave a magical performance in Mary Poppins Returns as the Balloon Lady (JAY MAIDMENT/WALT DISNEY)

During her song, she also shares some poignant words with Michael Banks, played by Ben Whishaw.

The balloon lady is seen selling balloons to Michael and his children before telling the dad, who was a child in the first Mary Poppins flick: "Choose carefully my dearly ducks, many have chosen the wrong balloon. Be sure to choose the one that's right for you."

She then offers for Michael to choose his balloon first as he replies: "Me? Those days are long behind me, I don't think I've held a balloon since I was a child."

Angela's character sells balloons to Michael Banks and his children – reminding the now grown-up Michael of his childhood (JAY MAIDMENT/WALT DISNEY)

"Then you've forgotten what it's like," the balloon lady responds with before Michael asks: "To hold a balloon?"

"To be a child," the lady poignantly says before continuing her magical song as Michael picks a pink balloon before soaring up into the sky and is taken back to his childhood – finally remembering his magical experience with their nanny Mary Poppins.

Her performance in the magical movie sparks delight amongst fans of the dazzling actress and, even the film's director, who said Angela was an obvious choice for the role.

Mary Poppins Returns' director Rob Marshall said there was a 'magic' about the iconic actress (Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
Angela's performance made grown-ups 'lose it', her cast mate said (Getty Images)

Mary Poppins Returns' director Rob Marshall told USA Today: "There’s a shorthand with Angela Lansbury. You see her and there’s a magic about her.

"And she sounds unbelievable. The voice is still there, the same voice from [Broadway show] Mame and Sweeney Todd."

And Lin-Manuel Miranda, who played lamplighter Jack, added: "There are two moments in Mary Poppins Returns when the grown-ups watching really lose it: Dick Van Dyke's arrival and when Angela Lansbury starts singing.

Angela's Mary Poppins performance plays 'on the heartstrings' of viewers (Getty Images)

"Those are playing on a lifetime of heartstrings."

Angela, meanwhile, also opened up about her role in 2018.

Speaking to EPK, she said: "There's a lot more to Balloon Lady than just selling balloons. She's a sort of a magical character and I think she knows what's gone on and when she sends people up with a balloon she knows where they're going, if they should go up or if they shouldn't.

Dame Angela Lansbury passed away age 96 (Getty Images)

"So in that respect there's something a little bit mysterious and interesting about her and that's an appeal to me. A mystery is my business as you know."

Angela died peacefully at her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Her family announced the news in a statement, which read: "The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 a.m. today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.