In the original Mary Poppins, we’re introduced to Mr. Dawes Sr. and his son, Mr. Dawes Jr. Mr. Dawes Senior is the chairman of the bank where Jane and Michael’s father works. and Mr. Dawes Jr., who is quite old despite his name, is on that board as well.
While Mr. Banks is fired from his position, he inadvertently makes a new one available to himself by telling Mr. Dawes Sr. a joke so funny that the old man dies laughing.