ChickenHaunt
Sr Member
I was reminded recently of one of the first movie props I really coveted: the talking parrot umbrella from Mary Poppins. When I started thinking about it, I realized it’s not all that complicated a piece (unless you get into the mechanics of making a talking version, which…maybe…). So why not have a go at it?
In my research, it became clear that there are several umbrellas used in the film. There’s certainly a talking one and a static one, but there are also variations in the pole, tassel, and paint job of the parrot.
I came across an expired auction (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/56572402_mary-poppins-original-prop-parrot-head-umbrella) for what claims to be one of the originals. I’m not so sure that it is. The paint looks unlike anything seen in the film (both in style and color), the eye is painted (rather than an inserted doll’s eye), and the treatment of the handle with wrapped cord doesn’t match anything on screen that I could find. But that’s not to say it isn’t an original that’s been restored, or at the very least a casting of the original bird. What it did give me was a scale to work off of.
Disney has offered three versions of the movie umbrella. It looks like Icons produced a prototype of the prop, as well, but I haven’t come across much info on that project. Two of the released Disney versions are derived from the original mold, and there are better pictures of these than of the prop in the movie. And while it looks like some detail was softened in the manufacturing process, these still provide a nice blueprint for where things line up on the sculpture.
Now the other component is, of course, the umbrella itself. I spent some time searching the web for a simple black umbrella to use as a base. It turned out to be rather difficult to find manual open umbrellas of the right size. Eventually, Target came through with one that nearly fit the bill, except the tip is all wood instead of wood and metal (https://www.target.com/p/shedrain-wood-stick-umbrellas-black/-/A-16858083). I cut off the hook at the handle, and that looked about the right length for the wider part of the pole.
I’m sculpting the bird over a pipe that’s close to the size of the handle, so I can slip it off and try it on the umbrella. This is a couple of short sessions in. I'll do a silicone mold of this and make the final piece in resin.
In my research, it became clear that there are several umbrellas used in the film. There’s certainly a talking one and a static one, but there are also variations in the pole, tassel, and paint job of the parrot.
I came across an expired auction (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/56572402_mary-poppins-original-prop-parrot-head-umbrella) for what claims to be one of the originals. I’m not so sure that it is. The paint looks unlike anything seen in the film (both in style and color), the eye is painted (rather than an inserted doll’s eye), and the treatment of the handle with wrapped cord doesn’t match anything on screen that I could find. But that’s not to say it isn’t an original that’s been restored, or at the very least a casting of the original bird. What it did give me was a scale to work off of.
Disney has offered three versions of the movie umbrella. It looks like Icons produced a prototype of the prop, as well, but I haven’t come across much info on that project. Two of the released Disney versions are derived from the original mold, and there are better pictures of these than of the prop in the movie. And while it looks like some detail was softened in the manufacturing process, these still provide a nice blueprint for where things line up on the sculpture.
Now the other component is, of course, the umbrella itself. I spent some time searching the web for a simple black umbrella to use as a base. It turned out to be rather difficult to find manual open umbrellas of the right size. Eventually, Target came through with one that nearly fit the bill, except the tip is all wood instead of wood and metal (https://www.target.com/p/shedrain-wood-stick-umbrellas-black/-/A-16858083). I cut off the hook at the handle, and that looked about the right length for the wider part of the pole.
I’m sculpting the bird over a pipe that’s close to the size of the handle, so I can slip it off and try it on the umbrella. This is a couple of short sessions in. I'll do a silicone mold of this and make the final piece in resin.
