Jane Darwell was semi-retired from acting, other than a rare television guest appearance. She had recently moved into the Motion Picture Country Home because of her advanced age and feebleness. When Disney offered her the role of the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins (1964), Darwell declined the role. Walt Disney, still insistent, personally drove to the retirement home to plead with her and she agreed to take the part. It was her last acting role. In this pivotal scene in the movie, the Bird Woman at the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral Square sells bags of bread crumbs to passers-by to feed the pigeons. The “poignant” song “Feed the Birds” was sung by Julie Andrews, as a hymn-like lullaby.