CAP Report MAR-0020, MARY POPPINS (1964)

ChildCare Action Project:
Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

Entertainment Media Analysis Report

MAR-0020
Mary Poppins (1964)
G
CAP Score: 100
CAP ID: 0.0

Thomas A. Carder
CAP President

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Mary Poppins was a delightful romp for children and the young at heart through a make-believe world of frolic and fantasy. There were no instances of offensive material throughout the movie. While there were several occurences of "magic," there was nothing evil or sinister about any of the "magic." Mary could have been angelic. While some might consider the "We won't go to sleep!" from Michael to Mary Poppins to be arrogance and/or impudence, the obstinence was NOT at his parents. All instances of Jane and Michael taking issue with parental authority (e.g., the song) were with respect and even apology. I cannot find in the Bible anywhere God has a problem with children disagreeing with their parents but I can find a LOT of warnings against arrogance toward and rebellion against parents -- a LOT -- and with severe consequences ... and even more severe consequences for parents who abuse the authority and position He gave them.

2006 ADDENDUM: Mary Poppins presented nothing evil or sinister. Indeed, the character could have been portraying an angel. And she was not hailed as a witch / wizard / sorcerer(ess) nor advertised as such. Regarding the use of "magic", if Jesus had thrown Himself off the pinnacle at Satan's tease would the angels in Matt. 4:5-6, who would have lifted Him up from being dashed on the rocks, have sinned with their "magic?" Did Jesus sin as He used His "magic" to cast out demons? Heal the sick? Make the blind see and the lame walk? Raise the dead? There is a great deal of difference between Mary Poppins "magic" and Harry Potter (and Lord of the Rings, etc.) witchcraft / sorcery / wizardry. The source of the power determines the holiness OR unholiness of it, not the user nor the use of it. There was no mention or implication of witchcraft / sorcery / wizardry in Mary Poppins but Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings were not only filled with witchcraft / sorcery / wizardry but based ON them, with "magic" not from God. While Mary Poppins and Lord of the Rings both used magic for good, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings had the "good" using evil (witchcraft / sorcery / wizardry) to do good, thus serving evil. Angels and angel-possessed people use good "magic", better termed holy power from God. Witches, wizards, warlocks, sorcerers, etc. (people possessed of Satanic interests) use power from Satan, even if it is called "white magic."

The ChildCare Action Project findings for Mary Poppins are as follows.

Mary Poppins CAP Thermometers

In accordance with the comparative baseline data, Mary Poppins was fully equivalent to G-rated material.

Below is the table showing the scoring in each of the Investigation Areas plus the Final Score drawn from the actual CAP Report. In addition, the number of examples per hour of unacceptable material in each of the Investigation Areas is provided.

mary Poppins CAP Scorecard

Additional reviews of this movie may be located at "Movie Review Query Engine at Telerama."

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