Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

(On Cable TV, March 2019) It’s not rare for the imitations to be left in the dust of history even as the groundbreaking work they’re copying endures for generations. That should be a lesson for Hollywood studios, but … yeah, never mind. A good case in point, however, is Bedknobs and Broomsticks—a mildly forgotten Walt Disney live-action picture that seems to be taking most of its selling points from the example set by Mary Poppins: A whimsical kid’s movie, adapted from books written by a British author; integrating songs and mixed live-action/animated numbers… The comparisons aren’t accidental: Bedknobs and Broomsticks was the backup plan throughout Mary Poppins’ early production history in case their first choice didn’t pan out, and the work invested in that early project was eventually resurrected for this later take. The story is a bit messy on several levels—conceptually, it’s a blend of two different books, so it stands to reason that the film itself can feel disconnected as it goes from one big special-effects showcase to another, leaving more traditional aspects (such as acting) relegated to a supporting element. The high production values certain shows—not only was the film nominated for five technical/music Academy Awards back then (winning the Special Effects category) but it can still be watched with a certain interest. Director Robert Stevenson handles an appreciable volume of special effects, and some of the set-piece sequences (Knights fighting Nazis?) still work rather well. Bedknobs and Broomsticks definitely labours in the shadow of Mary Poppins even fifty years later, but it does have one advantage of the underdog: you’re far less likely to have already seen it.