What is the joke in Mary Poppins when the old banker dies laughing?

Answer 1

The joke is: "I know an old man with a wooden leg named Smith." "Really? What's the name of his other leg?" You don't actually see him die, you only hear about it the next day in the park. The only violence is a scene towards the end of the film, and arguably cut from some production versions- as it adds nothing to the plot- the kids are on the loose in the back streets of London and are briefly harrassed by an old woman near one of the Banks ( Queen Victoria"s Ghost or The Witch of Wall, or rather Threadneedle street) the introduction of this hostile female character- there is no witchraft in Poppins in the usual say(Oz) style, is very puzzling. there is a congested and chaotic scene and the kids are in effect rescued by Jack of All Trades Bert- by the way the Bert character did not figure in the original (not Disney adaptation) novels. a Banker be comes somewhat confused but does not die. there are no deaths or violence other than the (financial section witch) character who merely snarls at the kids and no reason is given for her hostility. it is a strange character- do not confuse with the Bird Woman who is feeding the birds, harmless lady.