MARY POPPINS - VAN DYKE ATTACKS HOLLYWOOD'S TREATMENT OF VETERANS

MARY POPPINS star DICK VAN DYKE has slammed Hollywood's neglect of veteran actors in favour of younger, less talented stars.

Van Dyke, 77, appears alongside MARY TYLER MOORE, 66, in new TV movie THE GIN GAME, based on the acclaimed play by DL COBURN about two card-playing seniors in a run-down retirement home.

And the pair had problems finding a network willing to air the film - which they both blame on age prejudice.

He says, "They're not interested in old farts, and that's what this play is about. What bothers me about this business is that there are a lot of very talented veterans not working and a lot of barely talented young ones making millions."