Ellen

Ellen is a minor character in Mary Poppins. She was played by Hermione Baddeley.

Background
Ellen serves as a maid to the Banks family. Early in the film, it is shown that she does not get along with fellow worker Mrs. Brill. By the end of the film, however, she is shown to be much happier, and gets along better with Mrs. Brill.

Appearances
Ellen is first heard in an argument with Mrs. Brill, which is so loud that Bert can hear the two from outside. It is revealed that the Banks' nanny, Katie Nanna is resigning from the position due to the naughtiness of the two Banks children, Jane and Michael. In contrast to Mrs. Brill, who is happy to see Katie Nanna leave, Ellen unsuccessfully attempts to convince the woman to stay, partly because Ellen is required to care for the children when there is no nanny.

Throughout the rest of the film, Ellen is seen performing various household tasks for the Banks. Ellen is charged with granting entrance to the various nannies that come to apply for the open position, and is puzzled when only Mary Poppins appears. The next morning, she is shown to be in a much better mood, getting along with Mrs. Brill and even humming during her work. Ellen later eavesdrops on George Banks's attempted sacking of Mary Poppins, explaining that she has heard the speech before. Later on, when Mrs. Banks is looking for a caretaker for the children on Mary Poppins's day off, Ellen explains she is unable to perform the task due to certain chores needing to be completed. When the chimney sweeps invade the house, Ellen is caught up in the mass and is shown dancing with one of the sweeps.

Near the end of the film, the family is shown to be searching for Mr. Banks after learning that he had been fired. Ellen makes an offhanded remark about a certain bridge being popular with jumpers, for which she is chastised. Ellen would be witness to Mr. Banks' change of heart, and watches as the family goes off to fly a kite.