Sherman Brothers

TheSherman Brotherswere an American songwriting duo that specialized inmusical films,made up of brothersRobert B. Sherman(December 19, 1925 – March 6, 2012)andRichard M. Sherman(June 12, 1928 – May 25, 2024).Together they received various accolades including twoAcademy Awardsand threeGrammy Awards.They received nominations for aLaurence Olivier Award,aBAFTA Award,and fiveGolden Globe Awards.In 1976, they received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame,and theNational Medal of the Artsin 2008.

Robert B. ShermanandRichard M. Shermanat theLondon Palladiumin 2002 during the premiere ofChitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Stage Musical

The Sherman Brothers wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history.Their work includes the live-action filmsThe Parent Trap(1961),Mary Poppins(1964),Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(1968), andBedknobs and Broomsticks(1971) and the animated filmsThe Sword in the Stone(1963),The Jungle Book(1967, except “The Bare Necessities,”whichTerry Gilkysonwrote),Charlotte's Web(1973),The Aristocats(1970), andThe Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh(1977). Among their most famous works are thetheme parksongsThere's A Great Big Beautiful TomorrowandIt's A Small World (After All).According toTimemagazine,the latter song is the most performed song of all time.

The Shermans earned nine Academy Award nominations (with two wins), twoGrammyAwards, four Grammy Award nominations, and 23 gold- and platinum-certified albums.

Life and work

1950s

Sons ofRussian-Jewishimmigrants, Robert and Richard Sherman began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father,Tin Pan AlleysongwriterAl Sherman.The brothers wrote together and with different songwriting partners throughout the rest of the decade.

In 1958, Robert founded the music publishing companyMusic World Corporation,which later enjoyed a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing arm,Wonderland Music Company.That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their firsttop-tenhit with "Tall Paul",sung byMouseketeerJudy Harriet on the Surf Records label and then covered byMouseketeerAnnette Funicello.They wrote the international hit "You're Sixteen,"first recorded in 1960 byrockabillysingerJohnny Burnette,and a chart success again in 1973 forRingo Starr.They also wrote the title song for Doris Day's albumBright and Shiny,recorded in 1960 and released a year later.

1960s

The success of these songs gained the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as staff songwriters forWalt Disney Studios.The first song they wrote on personal assignment by Walt Disney was "Strummin' Song" in 1961. It was used in the Annette Funicello made-for-television movie calledThe Horsemasters.The first song that the Sherman Brothers contributed to a Disney movie was "Medfield Fight Song" from the filmThe Absent-Minded Professor(1961).

While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote moremotion-picture musicalscores than any other songwriters in the history of film. They also wrote what is perhaps their best-known song, "It's a Small World (After All)",for the1964 New York World's Fair.Since then, some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is largely due to the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's theme park"It's a Small World" attractionsof the same name.

In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won twoAcademy AwardsforMary Poppins,which includes the songs "Feed The Birds,""Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,"and the Oscar-winning"Chim Chim Cher-ee."Starting with this movie, and continuing through several subsequent Disney movies, the Sherman Brothers collaborated with noted arranger-conductorIrwin Kostal.

Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live-action musical filmsThe Happiest MillionaireandThe One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Banduntil Disney's death in 1966.

Their first non-Disney assignment came withAlbert R. Broccoli's motion picture productionChitty Chitty Bang BangforUnited Artistsin 1968, which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award nomination forBest Original Songfor its particularly memorable titular song.

1970s

In 1970, the Shermans returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed work onThe AristocatsandBedknobs and Broomsticks.The latter film garnered the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar nominations. 1972 saw the release ofSnoopy Come Home,for which the brothers received aGrammynomination.

In 1973, the Sherman Brothers also made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at theMoscow Film FestivalforTom Sawyer,for which they also authored the screenplay.

In 1976,The Slipper and the Rosewas picked to be theRoyal Command Performanceof the year. The performance was attended byQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story,Slipperalso featured songs, score, andscreenplayby the Sherman Brothers. Two further Academy Award nominations were garnered by the brothers for the film. That same year the Sherman Brothers received a star on theHollywood Walk of Famedirectly across fromGrauman's Chinese Theatre.

The Sherman Brothers' numerous other Disney and non-Disney top box office film credits includeThe Jungle Book(1967),The Aristocats(1970),The Parent Trap(1961),The Parent Trap(1998),Charlotte's Web(1973),Huckleberry Finn(1974),The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh(1977),Snoopy Come Home(1972),Bedknobs and Broomsticks(1971), andLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland(1989). Outside the motion-picture realm, their Tony Award-nominated hitOver Here!(1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway musical of that year and broke box-office records for its Off-Broadway revival (2019).

2000s

In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for the Disney filmThe Tigger Movie.This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28 years, and was also their final film credit as duo because of Robert's death in 2012.

In2002,Chittyhit the London stage, receiving rave reviews.Chitty Chitty Bang Bangis currently the most successful stage show ever produced at theLondon Palladium,boasting the longest run in that century-old theater's history. On April 28, 2005, a secondChittycompany premiered on Broadway (New York City) at theFoxwoods Theatre.The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions.

In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time in a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC. Most notably,Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(1968) topped the list at #1. In later years, with Robert's move toLondon,the brothers wrote new songs for the stage musical presentation ofChitty Chitty Bang Bang.For their contributions to the motion picture industry, the Sherman brothers have a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameat 6918 Hollywood Blvd. and were inducted into theSongwriters Hall of Fameon June 9, 2005. On November 16, 2006,Mary Poppinspremiered at theNew Amsterdam TheatreonBroadway.

On November 17, 2008, the Sherman Brothers received theNational Medal of Arts,which is the highest honor conferred on artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government. The award was presented byUnited States PresidentGeorge W. Bushin anEast Roomceremony atThe White House.

On May 22, 2009,The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story,a critically acclaimed documentary film about the pair, was theatrically released. The film was directed and produced by their sons, Gregory V. Sherman and Jeff Sherman, and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. In October 2009, Disney released a 59-track, two-CD compendium of their work for the studio spanning 42 years. The CD is titledThe Sherman Brothers Songbook.On March 11, 2010, the Sherman Brothers were presented with a specialized window onMain Street, U.S.A.,atDisneylandinAnaheim, California,in honor of their contribution to Disney theme parks. On May 17, 2010, the Sherman Brothers received the "Career Achievement Award" at The Theatre Museum's 2010 Awards Gala in New York City.

From 2002, Robert Sherman lived in London, England. He moved fromBeverly Hills,while Richard Sherman remained in California. Robert Sherman died in London on March 6, 2012.Richard Sherman died in Los Angeles on May 25, 2024.

Influence and recognition

The Sherman Brothers receive theNational Medal of Arts,the highest honor bestowed upon artists from the United States Government. Left to right: Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman andU.S. PresidentGeorge W. BushatThe White House,November 17, 2008.

• In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the award-winning score toThe Tigger Moviewhich achieved number-one status in both theatrical box office and video sales. They also composed a song for the movie called "Your Heart Will Lead You Home", co-written and performed byKenny Loggins.
• The Sherman Brothers' motion pictureChitty Chitty Bang Bangwas adapted into aLondonWest EndMusicalin 2002 and premiered at theLondon Palladiumon April 16, 2002, featuring many new songs and a reworked score by both Sherman Brothers. It was nominated for a 2003Laurence Olivier Theatre Awardfor Best New Musical. The Sherman Brothers each received the Musical Theatre Award from the Variety Club of Great Britain that year as well forChitty,which finished a record breaking three-and-a-half-year run at the Palladium, becoming the longest running show in the theater's century long history. In 2004, the premiere ofMary Poppinsarrived on the stage. In 2005, Poppins was nominated for nineOlivier Awards.In 2005,Chittywent to Broadway and was nominated for nineTonysand also began its nationwide (UK) tour.
• On June 9, 2005, both Shermans were inducted into theSongwriters Hall of FamealongsideBill Withers,Steve Cropper,John Fogerty,Isaac Hayes,andDavid Porter.
• On November 16, 2006, theCameron Mackintosh/Disneyproduction ofMary Poppinsmade its Broadway premiere at theNew Amsterdam Theaterfeaturing the Sherman Brothers' classic songs.
• In 2007, during the 40th-anniversaryDVDrerelease ofThe Jungle BookLondon press junket, the Sherman Brothers were witnessed by press working on a new song forInkas(see below) in the sameBrown's Hotelroom whereThe Jungle Bookwas originally penned byBritishwriterRudyard Kiplingover a hundred years earlier.
• In February 2008,Chitty Chitty Bang Bangbegan a secondUKtour. In 2008 and 2009,Poppinspremiered in numerous cities throughout the world includingStockholm,Copenhagen,Budapest,Toronto,Shanghai,Sydney,Johannesburg,Amsterdam,Buenos Aires,São Paulo,andHelsinki.FullUKandUStours ofPoppinsalso commenced in 2008, 2009 and 2010 respectively.
• On May 21, 2011, the Sherman Brothers were each awarded honorary doctorate degrees in Fine Arts from their alma mater,Bard College.This was Robert's second honorary doctorate. His first was granted byLincoln Collegeon May 12, 1990. Robert's critically acclaimed autobiography,Moose: Chapters From My Lifewas published posthumously byAuthorHousePublishers on November 27, 2013, in anticipation of the release of theWalt Disney PicturesfilmSaving Mr. Banks.Set in 1961 and based on the stories behind the original development meetings for Disney's film version ofMary Poppins,Saving Mr. Banksfeatures actorsB. J. Novakas Robert Sherman andJason Schwartzmanas Richard Sherman.
• In 2014, the Sherman Brothers, alongside their fatherAl Sherman,were the subjects of a London musical concert titledA Spoonful of Shermanwritten, produced, and hosted by Robert's son,Robert J. Sherman.The concert received generally very positive reviews including four stars fromThe Times.A CD produced byNick Lloyd Webberwas released bySimG Recordsin 2015.
• In 2017A Spoonful of Shermanwas revived, playing at the venue, "Live At Zédel" in London.
• On July 31, 2018, theWalt Disney Studiosin Burbank, California renamed Soundstage A the Sherman Brothers Stage.
• In 2018, the firstA Spoonful of ShermanUK/Ireland Tour began with previews on February 14, 2018, at the EM Forester Theatre inTonbridge, Kent.The tour played in 28 cities inEngland,Scotland,Walesand theRepublic of Ireland.Cast members for the tour includedSophie-Louise Dann,Mark Read,Glen Facey, Jenna Innes and Ben Stock.

Filmography

Film

• The Absent-Minded Professor,1961 - "Medfield Fight Song" only
• The Parent Trap,1961
• A Symposium on Popular Songs,1962 - animated short
• Moon Pilot,1962
• Bon Voyage!,1962
• Big Red,1962
• The Legend of Lobo,1962
• In Search of the Castaways,1962
• Miracle of the White Stallions,1963
• Summer Magic,1963
• The Sword in the Stone,1963
• The Misadventures of Merlin Jones,1964
• Mary Poppins,1964
• Those Calloways,1965
• The Monkey's Uncle,1965
• That Darn Cat!,1965
• Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree,1966 - animated short
• Follow Me, Boys!,1966
• Monkeys, Go Home!,1967
• The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin,1967
• The Gnome-Mobile,1967
• The Jungle Book,1967 (all songs except "The Bare Necessities")
• The Happiest Millionaire,1967
• The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band,1968
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,1968
• Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day,1968 - animated short
• The Aristocats,1970
• Bedknobs and Broomsticks,1971
• Snoopy Come Home,1972
• Charlotte's Web,1973
• Tom Sawyer,1973
• Huckleberry Finn,1974
• Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too,1974 - animated short
• The Slipper and the Rose,1976
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,1977
• The Magic of Lassie,1978
• Magic Journeys,1982 - theme park attraction
• Welcome to Pooh Corner,1983 - television series
• Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore,1983 - animated short
• Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland,1992
• The Mighty Kong,1998
• The Parent Trap,1998
• Seasons of Giving,1999 - direct-to-video film
• The Tigger Movie,2000
• Winnie the Pooh,2011 – theme song and "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers" rendition only
• Saving Mr. Banks,2013 – songs from the original 1964Mary Poppinsfilm
• The Jungle Book,2016
• Christopher Robin,2018
• Mary Poppins Returns,2018 – music references from the original 1964 film
• Inkas the Ramferinkas,2023 – (announced).

Television

Episodes from theWalt Disney anthology television series

• Auld Acquaintance(Zorrospecial)
• The Ballad of Hector the Stowaway Dog
• The Big Swindle
• A Boy Called Nuthin'
• Bristle Face
• Carnival Time
• A Case of Murder
• The Daily Press vs. City Hall
• Escapade in Florence
• Gallegher
• Greta, the Misfit Greyhound
• Holiday Time at Disneyland
• The Horse Without a Head
• The Horsemasters
• Johnny Shiloh
• Mediterranean Cruise
• Mooncussers
• The Postponed Wedding
• A Rag, A Bone, A Box of Junk
• Spy in the Sky
• The Tenderfoot
• The Young Loner

Film Screenplays

• A Symposium on Popular Songs,1962 (uncredited)
• Mary Poppins,1964 (treatment only)
• Tom Sawyer,1973 (screenplay)
• Huckleberry Finn,1974 (screenplay)
• The Slipper and the Rose,1976 (screenplay)
• The Magic of Lassie,1978 (screenplay) / (story)
• Ferdinand the Bull,1986 (*TV screenplay)

Theatre

TheLondon Palladiumin 2004

Prince Edward Theatrein 2005

• Victory Canteen,1971 (Ivar Theatre, L.A.)
• Over Here!,1974 (Broadway, NY)
• Dawgs,1983 (Variety Arts Center, L.A.)
• Busker Alley,1995 (U.S. Tour)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,2002 (London)
• Mary Poppins,2004 (London)
• On the Record2004-5 (U.S. Tour) (several songs included)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,2005 (Broadway, NY)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,2005 (UK Tour)
• Busker Alley,2006 (Broadway, NY – *one night only)
• Mary Poppins,2006 (Broadway, NY)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,2007 (Singapore)
• Mary Poppins,2008 (UK Tour)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,2008 (Second UK Tour)
• Mary Poppins,2008 (Gothenburg)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (First US Tour)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Copenhagen)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Budapest)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Shanghai)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Australia)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (South Africa)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Scheveningen)
• Mary Poppins,2009 (Helsinki)
• Mary Poppins,2012–13 (Second US Tour)
• A Spoonful of Sherman,2014 (London)
• A Spoonful of Sherman,2017 (London)
• A Spoonful of Sherman,2018 (UK/Ireland Tour)
• A Spoonful of Sherman,2019 (Singapore)
• Over Here!,2019 (Off-Broadway, NY – *one night only)
• Mary Poppins,2019– (London Revival)
• Bedknobs And Broomsticks (musical),2021– (UK tour)

Theme park songs

• Adventure Thru Inner Space
  • "Miracles from Molecules"
• America on Parade
  • "The Glorious Fourth"
• CommuniCore
  • "The Astuter Computer Revue" (for the 1982 premiere of the pavilion atEPCOT Center)
• Epcot CenterOpening & Dedication
  • "The World Showcase March"
• Pepsi Presents Walt Disney's "It's a Small World" – a Salute to UNICEF and the World's Childrenfor the1964 New York World's Fair
  • "It's a Small World (After All)"was then adapted for each Disney park's"It's a Small World"attraction installation.
• Journey Into Imagination(and Journey Into Imagination With Figment)
  • "One Little Spark"
• Magic Journeys
  • "Magic Journeys"
  • "Makin' Memories"
• Meet the WorldinTokyo Disneyland
  • "Meet the World"
  • "We Meet the World with Love"
• Rocket Rods
  • "Magic Highways"
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
  • "The Best Time of Your Life"
  • "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"
• Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
  • "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room"
• Disneyland Forever
  • "Live the Magic"
  • "A Kiss Goodnight"

Other

• Three songs plus underscore for the NBC-TV animated musicalGoldilocksproduced in 1969 byDePatie-Freleng(ofPink Pantherfame) starringBing Crosby,his wifeKathryn Grantand two youngest children Mary Frances and Nathaniel.
• "The Spectrum Song"– for Walt Disney'sThe Wonderful World of Color.Sung byPaul FreesasLudwig Von Drake.
• Three unfinished film scores for a musical adaptation ofJames Thurber's novelThe 13 Clocks,another ofRoman Holiday,and one forJack KinneytitledSir Puss in Boots.
• Richard Sherman wrote the "theme park" song "Make Way For Tomorrow Today" for the movieIron Man 2.

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

• 1964WonAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Original Song"for"Chim Chim Cher-ee"fromMary Poppins
• 1964WonAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Substantially Original Score"forMary Poppins
• 1968NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Original Song"for"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"fromChitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1971NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Original Song"for"The Age of Not Believing"fromBedknobs & Broomsticks
• 1971NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score"forBedknobs & Broomsticks
• 1973NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Scoring Original Song Score And/Or Adaptation"forTom Sawyer
• 1977NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Original Song"for"The Slipper and the Rose Waltz"fromThe Slipper and the Rose
• 1977NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Scoring Original Song Score And/Or Adaptation"forThe Slipper and the Rose
• 1978NominatedAcademy Awardin the category of "Best Original Song"for"When You're Loved"fromThe Magic of Lassie

Annie Awards

• 2000NominatedAnniein the category of "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production" for the song "Round My Family Tree"fromThe Tigger Movie
• 2003 "Winsor McCay Award"for lifetime achievement and contribution to animation

BAFTA Awards

• 1977Nominated"Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music" forThe Slipper and the Rose

BMI

• 1977 "Pioneer Award" awarded in Los Angeles, California.
• 1991 "Lifetime Achievement Award" awarded at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Award

• 1964 "Christopher Award"for" Best Original Song Score "forMary Poppins
• 1973 "Christopher Award"for" Best Original Song Score "forTom Sawyer

Disney

• 1985 "Mousecar" awarded at theHollywood BowlinHollywood, Californiain front of 20 thousand people.
• 1990 "Disney Legends"awarded at theWalt Disney StudiosinBurbank, California.
• 2010Main Street, U.S. Windowpresented atDisneylandinAnaheim, Californiain honor of the Sherman Brothers' contribution to Disney theme parks.

Golden Globes

• 1965NominatedGolden Globein the category of "Best Original Score" forMary Poppins
• 1969NominatedGolden Globein the category of "Best Original Score" forChitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1969NominatedGolden Globein the category of "Best Original Song" forChitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1974NominatedGolden Globein the category of "Best Original Score" forTom Sawyer
• 1977NominatedGolden Globein the category of "Best Original Score" forThe Slipper and the Rose

Golden Videocassette Award

• 1984Best Selling Video Cassette(of all time) forMary Poppins

Grammy Awards

• 1965WonGrammyin the category of "Best Original Score for a Motion Picture or Television Show" forMary Poppins
• 1965WonGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forMary Poppins
• 1966NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forWinnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree
• 1968NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forThe Jungle Book
• 1970NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forChitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1971NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forThe Aristocats
• 1973NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Original Score for a Children's Show" forSnoopy Come Home
• 1974NominatedGrammyin the category of "Best Original Score for a Musical Show" forOver Here!
• 1975WonGrammyin the category of "Best Recording for Children" forWinnie the Pooh and Tigger Too

Laurel Awards

• 1965Won"Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "Chim Chim Cher-ee"forMary Poppins
• 19652nd Place"Golden Laurel" in the category of "Music Men"
• 19663rd place"Golden Laurel"in the category of" Best Song ""That Darn Cat!"forThat Darn Cat!

Moscow Film Festival

• 1973First Place Awardin the category of "Best Music" forTom Sawyer

National Medal of Arts

• 2008National Medal of Artsawarded to Richard and Robert Sherman on November 17, 2008, at theWhite Houseby PresidentGeorge W. Bush.This is the highest honor theUnited States Governmentbestows on artists.

Olivier Awards

• 2002Nominated"Best Musical" forChitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Songwriters Hall of Fame

• 2005 induction at the Marriott Hotel on Times Square in New York City.

Theatre Museum Award

• 2010 Career Achievement Award presented on May 17, 2010, at The Players Club in New York City.

Variety Club Awards

• 2003Won"Best Musical" forChitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Walk of Fame

• 1976 A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame awarded to "Richard & Robert Sherman" on November 17, 1976, located at 6914 Hollywood Blvd.

Further reading

• Greene, Katherine; Richard Greene (2001).Inside the Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney.New York: Disney Editions.ISBN0-7868-5350-6.
• Peterson, Monique (2002).The Little Big Book of Pooh.New York: Disney Editions.ISBN0-7868-5364-6.
• Sherman, Robert B. (2013).Moose: Chapters From My Life.Bloomington, IN.: AuthorHouse.ISBN978-1-4918-8381-5.
• Sherman, Robert B. (1998).Walt's Time: From Before to Beyond.Santa Clarita, Calif.: Camphor Tree.ISBN0-9646059-3-7.
• Tietyen, David (1990).The Musical World of Walt Disney.Milwaukee, Wisconsin:Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation.ISBN0-88188-476-6.

External links

• Robert Sherman Art
• Inkas the Ramferinkas
• Music World Corporation
• Internet Movie Database entries:
  • Robert B. ShermanatIMDb
  • Richard M. ShermanatIMDb
• Internet Broadway Database entries:
  • Robert B. Shermanat theInternet Broadway Database
  • Richard M. Shermanat theInternet Broadway Database