There have been many representations of nannies on
TV and film over the years, some good, others drive
terror in to most parents hearts.
Emma Thompson has recently brought another special
nanny story into our lives - NANNY MCPHEE, which is
sure to become a nanny cult classic.
This review was found on 'Countingdown.com'
A movie review site.
Who's in it? Colin Firth, Emma Thompson
What's it about? In this dark and witty fable,
Thompson portrays a person of unsettling appearance
and magical powers who enters the household of the
recently widowed Mr Brown (Firth) and attempts to tame
his seven exceedingly ill-behaved children. The children,
led by the oldest boy Simon, have managed to drive
away 17 previous nannies and are certain that they
will have no trouble with this one. But as Nanny McPhee
takes control, they begin to notice that their vile behaviour
now leads swiftly and magically to rather startling
consequences. Her influence also extends to the family's
deeper problems, including Mr Brown's sudden and
seemingly inexplicable attempts to find a new wife,
an announcement by the domineering Aunt Adelaide
(Lansbury) that she intends to take one of the
children away and the sad and secret longing's of
their scullery maid, Evangeline (Macdonald).
As the children's behaviour begins to change,
Nanny McPhees' arresting face and frame appear
to change as well, creating even more questions about
this mysterious stranger whom the children and
their father have come to love.
Leave a comment after this article and let us know
how Nanny McPhee compares to other nannies on screen.
Wendy Craig starred in a UK series in the early
eighties that ran for two years - 'Nanny' about the
experiences of a 1930's nanny. The story was based
around nanny Barbara Gray, caring for the children of
was submitted and accepted under a pen name after
she got the idea while reading advertisements in
The Lady magazine. This popular series aired here
in Australia as well as overseas.
Another popular series was Nanny and The Professor.
Nanny Phoebe Figalilly became the American nanny
to spread a little magic in the lives of a widowed family.
She too was another nanny gifted with mysterious
powers, keeping Professor Everett and his children
on their toes. There is a website dedicated to the series
www.nannyandtheprofessor.com
You will find the wonderful song from this series
at the end of this article.
Then we can't forget the best known nanny -
Mary Poppins. Mary is a special character who has
affected many children and some even go to the
length of writing and asking for a special nanny
like Mary of their own. When Disney took the
writings of PJ Travers (an Aussie from QLD) and
turned them into the classic we know today, little
did they know they would inspire so many. To
encapsulate the 'Nanny Bag', attitude to parents and
the little quips she uses to motivate and calm the
children - was a wonderful gift and tribute to the
world of nannies.
This is the positive side of nanny viewing, some
would even include Nanny Fran Fine in with them,
as she has a positive impact on the Sheffield
household and not forgetting the wonderful Maria
from The Sound Of Music. Though neither of these
carers were professional nannies and ultimately
ended up with Dad, they both deliver the goods
when it comes to looking after the children of the
family with creative genuine care.
Then we have the 'not so nice nannies'. Rebbecca
DeMornay in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle;
Bette Davis in The Nanny (scary) and there are
others in soap operas and TV drams. Thankfully
most of these are again, not professional nannies,
just people who have taken on the role as a nanny
or governess to reek havoc on a family.
We can learn from them all. When a parent is
acting suspicious or hesitant - put yourself in their
position if they had just watched one of these
movies or a 'Nanny From Hell' TV special. You can
compensate and put them at ease quickly with a
bit of reassurance,. Don't take their behaviour
personally, they are just trying t o protect their kids.
We also have another phenomenon - reality TV
involving nannies.
In the UK Supernanny (AKA Jo Frost) has taken
the Isle by storm and even being brought up in
Parliament! Jo has brought her special guidance
to our shores with her TV series, Continental ads
and her magazines and books.
The US series Nanny 911, based on the same
theme, is another series having an amazing
following. A team of nannies are sent to families
that are not coping with their children's behaviour.
Male nannies are also represented on the screen.
One, whose name escapes me, was a wonderful
Australian story with, from memory a Norwegian
male nanny made in the early 90's - (the actor
later appeared on Playschool!).
Like male nannies today, they are a rarity, but
good value when you can find them.
Now we have another reality series hitting the
US TV screens - Celebrity Nannies - cameras
follow nannies working for celebrities in the
states, should prove interesting viewing,
I can't wait for that one.
On that note, I'll leave you with the theme
song from The Nanny and The Professor.
Don't forget to leave your comments,
tell us what you think of Nanny McPhee
and who is your favourite Screen Nanny?
The Nanny And The Professor
Theme Song
(Written by the Addisi Brothers)
Soft and sweet, wise and wonderful,
Oooh, our mystical, magical nanny
Since the day that Nanny came to stay with us
Fantastic things keep happening
Is there really magic in the things she does?
Or is love the only magic thing that Nanny brings?
You know our Nanny showed us
You can make the impossible happen
Nanny told us
Have a little bit of faith and lots of love
Phoebe Figalilly is a silly name
And so many silly things keep happening
What is this magic thing about Nanny
Is it love ---- or is it magic?
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