Hamilton Gooding and Templeton Frye are minor characters and lawyers for the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank who formerly worked under William Weatherall Wilkins and the secondary antagonists the 2018 musical comedy film Mary Poppins Returns, which was a sequel to the 1964 original Mary Poppins.
Background[]
Jeremy Swift portrays Hamilton Gooding, a lawyer who is one of Wilkins' associates and also voices a badger representing him in the animated Royal Doulton Bowl sequence. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith portrays Templeton Frye and also voices a weasel representing him in the sequence.
Personality[]
Templeton Frye is categorized in the genres of Family, Comedy, and Adventure. He is portrayed by Jeremy Swift, who brings a playful and mischievous energy to the role. Templeton is one of the Banks children's neighbors and a schoolmate of the youngest Banks child, Georgie.
Templeton's character serves as a reminder of the carefree and imaginative nature of childhood. He brings a sense of wonder and whimsy to the film, mirroring the fantastical and magical elements of Mary Poppins herself.
Templeton's friendship with the Banks children underscores the importance of camaraderie, curiosity, and the power of imagination in facing life's challenges.
Overall, Templeton Frye is a lovable and endearing character, adding depth and charm to the ensemble cast. His youthful exuberance and sense of adventure make him a memorable presence in the film, and his antics provide moments of comedic relief throughout the story.
Templeton's character exemplifies the spirit of childhood and the joy of embracing life with an open heart and a sense of wonder.
Hamilton Gooding is a charismatic and lovable character. Portrayed by the talented actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, Gooding is a lamplighter who befriends the Banks children, Jane and Michael, as well as the magical nanny, Mary Poppins. Gooding is known for his cheerful disposition and positive outlook on life, always ready to lend a helping hand and bring joy to those around him. His character brings a sense of warmth and camaraderie to the story, adding an element of fun and adventure to the charming and nostalgic tale.
As a close friend of the Banks family, Hamilton Gooding plays a crucial role in helping them navigate their challenging circumstances and rediscover the magic and wonder of their childhood. With his infectious energy and unwavering optimism, Gooding encourages the Banks children to embrace their imagination and believe in the impossible. He serves as a mentor and confidante to the young protagonists, teaching them valuable life lessons about friendship, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself.
In addition to his role as a mentor and friend, Hamilton Gooding also showcases his impressive musical talents throughout the film. Lin-Manuel Miranda's charismatic performance brings a dynamic energy to the musical numbers, infusing the film with a sense of joy and excitement. Gooding's passion for music and dance is contagious, inspiring those around him to embrace the beauty of self-expression and creativity. His character brings a vibrant energy to the film, infusing it with a sense of magic and wonder that captivates audiences of all ages.
Overall, Hamilton Gooding is a beloved and memorable character, with his endearing personality and musical talents leaving a lasting impression on viewers. His unwavering optimism and zest for life make him a standout character in the heartwarming family comedy-adventure, adding depth and heart to the whimsical story. Through his friendship with Mary Poppins and the Banks children, Gooding embodies the spirit of kindness, courage, and hope, reminding audiences of the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing the magic of everyday life.
Physical appearance[]
In reality, Templeton wears a black suit along with a black tie and white shirt, he also wears a clock and black shoes. He's appear as a black character with a black hair.
Gooding wears a black suit, black tie, and white shirt, he may also wear a black pants and black shoe, he has blond hair and white skin, he also wears a glasses.
In the cartoon world, Templeton Frye appears as a slim, diminutive, anthropomorphic weasel with a dark green hat on his head, orange furs for his body and tail, yellow tie, light blue suit with a light blue button, and a white long sleeve and neck shirt, long whiskers, and striped dark blue and green pants.
Gooding appeared as an obese anthropomorphic badger who also possesses a diminutive stature just like Templeton Frye and wears a light tan hat on head, grey and white furs for body, glasses on his face, light tan shirt, light blue suit with a yellow button, stripe pants of light grey colors, dark blue jacket, and yellow scarf.
Role in the film[]
Gooding and Frye appear in the beginning of the film telling the Banks' maid, Ellen, about a Notice of Repossession, just as Michael Banks approaches them telling him that their business can't wait. They introduce themselves to him, telling him that he took out the loans with the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank to his home just as Gooding tells him to pay the entire loan in full to avoid getting the house sold because if he does not pay by Friday at midnight, the bank will repossess the home. Just as they tell him to know where the document is, they also tell him to find the certificate by midnight just as they leave.
Gooding and Frye's animated counterparts, the badger and weasel, appear during the musical number "The Royal Doulton Music Hall" just as they greet the group. At the end of the animated sequence, the wolf, alongside the badger and weasel, are shown to be thieves who are stealing the toy giraffe, Gillie, just as Michael's children, John, Annabel, and Georgie, chase after him with help from Shamus and Clyde and rescue Gillie from being stolen.
At the bank, Gooding and Frye are asking Wilkins if Michael is an employee while Penny Farthingtalks to him who asks her to give him tea to which she agrees. Exploring his nature, John, Annabel, and Georgie realize he is identical to the wolf from the animated sequence while they tell Michael about that.
Furthermore toward the end of the film as Big Ben is about to strike midnight as Jack tries to stop it from doing so, Gooding and Frye notice this just as they lock the bank door. Jane and Michael enter the bank and face Wilkins after Gooding and Frye hear too much pressure. Fortunately, Wilkins' uncle, Mr. Dawes Jr., arrives and confronts him for trying to deceive the Banks family, telling Gooding and Frye to take him away. They later appear during the musical number "Nowhere to Go But Up" where they float up holding a balloon together (Gooding's balloon went down like Wilkins' did so he had to hold onto Frye whose balloon went up).
Trivia[]
- Played by Notable Actors: Hamilton Gooding is portrayed by British actor Jeremy Swift, known for his roles in Downton Abbey and Ted Lasso. Templeton Frye is portrayed by Ghanaian-British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, known for his work in Paddington 2, Wonka, and as Ike Turner in the West End musical Tina.
- Animated Counterparts: Both actors not only played their characters in live-action but also voiced their animated animal forms during the "Royal Doulton Bowl" sequence: Gooding appears as a badger and Frye as a weasel.
- A Nod to "Hamilton"? One piece of popular trivia is that the character's first name, Hamilton Gooding, is widely considered to be an Easter egg or a subtle nod to Lin-Manuel Miranda, who plays Jack the lamplighter and is the creator of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton.
- Moral Ambiguity: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith has mentioned in interviews that his character, Frye, is portrayed as "definitely the more sympathetic of the two" lawyers, despite their actions. This is demonstrated when they ultimately turn on their corrupt boss, Wilkins, once his treachery is exposed, and join the final celebration, floating away with balloons.
- New Characters: Gooding and Frye are original characters created for Mary Poppins Returns and do not appear in P.L. Travers' original books.
- Shared Actions: They are almost always seen together as a pair, working in tandem as Wilkins' associates, whether delivering the notice of repossession, or locking the bank doors to hinder the Banks family.
External links[]
Hamilton Gooding and Templeton Frye on Disney Wiki