Yet the world's most extraordinary nanny may soon return to the cinema thanks to a remake being planned by Steven Spielberg.
The man behind films such as ET and Jurassic Park is joining forces with Sir Richard Eyre, the former head of Britain's National Theatre, to produce a new take on the 1964 Disney classic.
Sir Richard, who directed the hugely successful West End version, is hoping he can convince Spielberg to keep Mary Poppins English.
"I'm taking the stage show to Broadway next year, and I want to take the English cast with me," he said.
"I think the studio will use the success of the Broadway show to decide whether or not to use the English cast for the film.
"But I would hope to use as much of the West End cast as possible and keep Mary English rather than have the role go to a big American star name."
Sir Richard, 62, will direct the remake, while Spielberg takes a hands-on executive producer role.
When he comes to choose the actor to fill Dame Julie Andrews' shoes, Laura-Michelle Kelly, who won an Olivier award for her performances in the title role of Mary in the West End, is certain to be Sir Richard's first choice.
Sir Richard would not be drawn on who would play Bert -- originally played with a famously inept cockney accent by Dick Van Dyke.