Mary Poppins

Dapper Dans sang at world premiere of
Mary Poppins

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Hollywood, California
August 27, 1964

Photo courtesy Disney Archives. Poster image courtesy Greatest Films

At the world premiere of Mary Poppins at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (now Mann’s Chinese Theatre), the Dapper Dans were invited to perform songs from the movie (6 were arranged for quartet by Perry Carter) and dance routines (choreographed by Alex Plasschaert, who also joined them in the routines) while dressed as chimney sweeps from the movie. In an English garden party (complete with real grass) in the parking lot of the world famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Dapper Dans (Perry Carter, Jim Schamp, Ron Browne, Gene Morford) were part of a Disney package of atmosphere entertainment for members of the movie cast, dignitaries, invited guests and the press.

The Dapper Dans remember gleefully sitting in the aisles of the theatre while dressed as chimney sweeps during the screening of the movie.

Perry Carter, Gene Morford, Ron Browne, Jim Schamp.
On the ground: a fellow chimney sweep dancer and choreographer/dancer Alex Plasschaert.

Gene Morford, Ron Browne, Jim Schamp, Perry Carter
Hamming it up for the camera.

Ron Browne, Jim Schamp, Gene Morford, Perry Carter
Posing with Mary Poppins star Julie Andrews and executives from Technicolor.
Photo courtesy Disney Archives.

Perry Carter (facing us), Gene Morford (back to us), hidden: Jim Schamp, Ron Browne.
Performing for Walt and Lillian Disney. Jim Schamp and Ron Browne remember Walt Disney
commenting to them something to the effect of "Now why didn’t I use you fellows in the movie?"
Photo courtesy Disney Archives.

Below: more photos of the Dapper Dans doing their routines
and greeting guests after the premiere.
Photos courtesy Disney Archives.