Meaning: "The real Mary Poppins got lost when Hollywood turned her into a cream puff" is a thought-provoking quote by Anita Diament that reflects the sentiment that the original character of Mary Poppins, as created by author P.L. Travers, was diluted and transformed by the film adaptation produced by Hollywood. This quote highlights the contrast between the original character and the Hollywood portrayal, suggesting that the essence of the character was diminished or distorted in the process.

P.L. Travers' Mary Poppins, first introduced in the 1934 book of the same name, is a stern and enigmatic figure who brings order and discipline to the chaotic lives of the Banks family. She is not a conventional, nurturing nanny, but rather a mysterious and magical figure with a no-nonsense approach to her role. Travers' Mary Poppins is complex, often aloof, and at times even stern, but ultimately caring and transformative. The character is rooted in the traditions of British literature and folklore, embodying a sense of magic and mystery that is juxtaposed with a pragmatic and disciplined demeanor.

In contrast, the Hollywood adaptation of Mary Poppins, most notably the 1964 Disney film, presents a more lighthearted and whimsical version of the character. Played by Julie Andrews, the film's Mary Poppins is portrayed as a kind and gentle figure, with a more overtly nurturing and magical persona. The transformation of Mary Poppins from the original literary character to the Hollywood portrayal resulted in a more accessible and family-friendly interpretation, which may have led to the dilution of the character's original complexity and enigmatic nature.

Anita Diament's quote suggests that the Hollywood adaptation of Mary Poppins turned the character into a "cream puff," a metaphor for something soft, sweet, and insubstantial. This implies that the original character, with its depth and complexity, was overshadowed by a more superficial and palatable version created for mass entertainment. The quote serves as a critique of the Hollywood tendency to simplify and sanitize characters and stories for commercial appeal, potentially at the expense of their original depth and nuance.

The transformation of Mary Poppins from the original literary creation to the Hollywood portrayal raises questions about the adaptation process and the impact of commercial considerations on the integrity of a character. It prompts reflection on the balance between artistic interpretation and commercialization in the adaptation of literary works, as well as the implications of such adaptations for the original author's intent and the audience's perception of the character.

Overall, Anita Diament's quote captures the sentiment that the essence of the original Mary Poppins character was compromised in the process of Hollywood adaptation, emphasizing the contrast between the nuanced, enigmatic literary figure and the more saccharine, mass-market portrayal. Through this quote, Diament invites readers to consider the implications of such transformations and the potential loss of depth and complexity in the pursuit of commercial success.