Episode 181: James Tomlinson (David Tomlinson)

Today on the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to James Tomlinson, son of actor David Tomlinson. James was incredibly gracious with his time and patient with the lag of an international podcast recording and really spent some time talking to us about the big, and small stuff, about growing up the son of Mary Poppins employer, Mr. Banks.

Of course we talk about the Disney films David Tomlinson was known for – the aforementioned Mary Poppins, The Love Bug and Bedknobs and Broomsticks but we also discuss his massive career prior to Walt & company on the British stage and screen. We hear about films like Warning for Warriors, Miranda and Up the Creek to name a few. We also hear about how a role in a light comedy on the London stage led him to his most famous character on the big screen.

James was also incredibly open as we discuss the tragedies his father endured and the very awkward family life that his father dealt him. We also discussed his dad’s time as a flight instructor for the RAF in WWII as well of that of his two brothers. Plus we hear about David’s own father who lived a very conventional life. I mean lives. I mean, more than one. We get into that shocking story and his grandfather’s backstory of WWI that is hard to believe.

This is the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story. And this one, you won’t forget.