Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Robert Stevenson
Produced by	Bill Walsh
Screenplay by	Bill Walsh Don DaGradi
Based on	The Magic Bedknob & Bonfires and Broomsticks by Mary Norton
Starring	Angela Lansbury David Tomlinson John Ericson Ian Weighill Cindy O'Callaghan Roy Snart
Music by	Songs: Richard M. Sherman Robert B. Sherman Score: Irwin Kostal
Cinematography	Frank Phillips
Edited by	Cotton Warburton
Production company	Walt Disney Productions
Distributed by	Buena Vista Distribution
Release date	October 7, 1971 (1971-10-07) (United Kingdom) December 13, 1971 (1971-12-13) (United States)
Running time	117 minutes (1971 original version) 96 minutes (1979 reissue version) 139 minutes (2001 reconstruction version)
Country	United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
Box office	$17.9 million

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a 1971 British-American musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Distribution Company in North America on December 13, 1971. It is based upon the books The Magic Bedknob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons (1943) and Bonfires and Broomsticks (1945) by English children's author Mary Norton. The film, which combines live action and animation, stars Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson.

The film is frequently compared with Mary Poppins (1964), since it combines live action and animation and is partially set in the streets of London. It also features numerous cast members from Mary Poppins, particularly Tomlinson, supporting actor Reginald Owen (in his last film role), a similar film crew, songwriters the Sherman Brothers, director Robert Stevenson, art director Peter Ellenshaw, and musical direction by Irwin Kostal.

This was the last film released prior to the death of Walt Disney's surviving brother, Roy O. Disney, who died one week later.

During The Blitz, the three Rawlins children, Charlie, Carrie, and Paul are evacuated from London to the remote village of Pepperinge Eye. They are placed in the reluctant care of Miss Eglantine Price, a reclusive woman who agrees to the arrangement temporarily. The children attempt to run back to London, but change their minds after observing Miss Price attempting to fly on a broomstick. Miss Price reveals she is learning witchcraft through a correspondence school with hopes of using her spells in the British war effort, and offers the children a transportation spell in exchange for their silence. Miss Price casts the spell on a knob that the youngest child, Paul, has removed from the bed in the children’s shared bedroom, and she adds that only Paul can work the spell.