Walt's Time: The Sherman Brothers

By Nick

On March 5th, 2012, the world lost a musical genius and Disney Legend, Robert B. Sherman.
If you are looking at this blog, you are very likely familiar with the works of Robert and his brother, Richard M. Sherman.

To go into detail as to the Sherman Brother’s contribution to Disney, indeed, music in general, would take many, many pages.

There is actually a book that does just that.

A couple of years ago, my wife bought me this book for my birthday. I’m not sure what she payed, but it is out of print, and fairly collectible.
“Walt’s Time: from before to beyond” is from 1998, 252 pages long, and is packed with many wonderful stories of their time with Walt and beyond.



The inside lists just a few of the many songs that have been part of my life from birth.



The book begins with the Sherman Brother’s very first meeting with Walt, their associations at the studio, and many sketches from animators and illustrators at the Walt Disney Studios.








From live action movies, animated films, and the Disney Parks, the Sherman Brother’s have contributed some of the most beloved songs ever written.

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A lovely tribute to Walt Disney, who, along with their father, the brothers considered their biggest influence.



In 1990, the brothers were named Disney Legends.



This book is a wonderful look at 2 musical giants.

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R.I.P. Robert B. Sherman, December 19, 1925 – March 5, 2012.

It's a Small World After All

 

By: Jacqueline aka Jersey Diva

"It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. It's a world of hopes, it's a world of fears. There's so much that we share, that's it's time we're aware. It's a small world after all!" 

You may not know the story behind that little ditty. Walt Disney originally wanted a choir of children singing National Anthems from many different countries.  After realizing that having many children singing all different songs in different languages at the same time would not work, Walt Disney approached the Sherman brothers to write the song. Richard and Robert Sherman also wrote the score for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and many more Disney movies.  "It's a Small World" is one of the most well-known songs of all time.

Now that I put that song in your beautiful head, let's talk about the happiest cruise that ever sailed.

This musical boat tour takes you through 7 continents where the children of the world are happily singing in their native language showing you that it truly is a small world after all.

My very first trip to Magic Kingdom was when I was 6 years old.  I can't tell you every single thing we did during that trip, but I can tell you we went on It's a Small World numerous times. While planning our December 2012 trip to WDW, Jersey Mom had two requirements...Osborne Family Lights and It's a Small World. Luckily for Jersey Mom, we were able to do both of those things and we were able to ride It's a Small World numerous (4) times.

 Jersey Daughter #2 and I riding It's a Small World for the 2nd time

 Jersey Daughter #1, Jersey Mom and Jersey Nephew during ride #3

I have to admit, I don't think I have ever seen Jersey Mom so happy.  She was just so super excited to be able to share her all time favorite ride with her grandchildren.  Jersey Daughters, Jersey Nephew and Jersey Niece loved the ride as much as Jersey Mom.  I am not sure our fellow riders enjoyed their singing but they had a wonderful time.

During our first time on the ride, the kids were not so sure what to make of the ride.  They were so amazed at the different countries represented and all the different things they were seeing.  Jersey Daughter #1 said, "I get it!  No matter where you live, we all like to have a good time. Yes, that's it! We all have fun!"

That was Walt's idea behind "It's a Small World." Seeing the world through the eyes of a child, we will realize we are all basically the same.

Floating through some of the world's most beloved countries gives you the impression of sailing through a classic children's book. The scenes are so colorful with bold hues.

Disney seamstresses sewed every inch of clothing to create a spot-on portrayal of each continents attire. If you've rode the ride as many times as I have, you would count over 300 outfits in all!  Each region was depicted using authentic materials.

The hula dancers are my favorite.  I was happy to hear Jersey Daughter #2 ask me to take a picture of the "pretty girls" for her.

At the end of this magical, musical tour, the children reunite for a finale reminding us of the common bonds of friendship, laughter and happiness we share.  

"There is just one moon and one golden sun. And a smile means friendship to everyone.  Though the mountains divide. And the oceans are wide,
It's a small, small world!"

As your boat returns to the dock, learn how to say "goodbye" in many different languages, all as colorful as their scenes from inside the tour.

Auf Wiederschen,

~Jersey Diva

This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Jersey Diva is a contributing writer.

The Sherman Brothers

 

Photo Courtesy of D23 media net

By: Jacqueline aka Jersey Diva

Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman were an American songwriting duo that specialized in musical films.  They wrote more motion-picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in film history.  The brothers began writing songs together in 1951 on a challenge from their father, Al Sherman, the songwriter who wrote Tin Pan Alley.

Robert founded the music publishing company, Music World Corporation, in 1958.  The publishing company later had a landmark relationship with Disney's BMI-affiliated publishing company, Wonderland Music Company.  That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first top-ten hit with "Tall Paul" which was sung by Mouseketeer Judy Harriet and later covered by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello.  After the success of this song, Walt Disney hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.  On personal assignment by Walt Disney, the first song they wrote was "Strummin' Song" in 1961.  The song was used in the Annette Funicello made for television movie called The Horsemasters.

While working at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote more motion picture musical scores than any other songwriters in the history of film.  Their best known song,  "It's a Small World (after all)" was written for the 1964 New York World's Fair.  Some have claimed that this has become the most translated and performed song on Earth, although this is mainly due to the fact that it is played continuously at Disney's theme park "it's a small world" attractions.

In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes their songs, "Feed the Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and Oscar winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." Since the premiere of Mary Poppins, the Sherman Brothers have earned nine Oscar nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations and 23 gold and platinum-certified albums.

The Shermans worked directly for Walt Disney, completing the scores for the live action musical films The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band until Disney died in 1966.  After leaving the company, the Sherman Brothers have worked as freelance songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals.

In 1968, they worked on their first non-Disney assignment with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for United Artists. This gave the brothers their third Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Two years later, the Sherman Brothers returned to Disney for a brief stint where they completed The Aristocats and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.  The latter gained the brothers their fourth and fifth Oscar nominations.  In 1972, the brothers received a Grammy nomination for Snoopy Come Home.  In 1973, the Sherman Brothers make history by becoming the only Americans to ever win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer, for which they also wrote the screenplay.

In 1976, The Slipper and the Rose was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year. A performance attended by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The Sherman Brothers also wrote songs, score and the screenplay for this modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story. The Brothers received two more Oscar nominations for this film. Also in 1976, the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is located directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Other film credits, Disney and non-Disney, include The Jungle Book (1967), The Parent Trap (1961 & 1998), Charlotte's Web (1973), Huckleberry Finn (1974), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) and Little Nemo:Adventures in Slumberland (1992).  The Sherman Brothers also had a Tony Award nomination for their hit Over Here! (1974) which was the biggest grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The brothers have also written many top selling songs including "You're Sixteen," which reached Billboard's Hot 100 Top 10 twice, once with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then at #1 with Ringo Starr more than thirteen years later.  Other top ten hits include "Pineapple Princess", "Let's Get Together", and more.  In 2002, the brothers wrote "Only a Woman Like You" with Michael Bolton who co-wrote and recorded as a single from the album of the same name.

In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the score for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This film was the brothers' first major motion picture for Disney in over 28 years.  In 2002, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang hit the London stage and received rave reviews. It is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium with the longest run in that century old theater's history.  A second Chitty company premiered in New York City on Broadway at the Foxwoods Theatre on April 28, 2005. The brothers wrote six additional songs specifically for the new stage productions.  A third Chitty company is currently touring throughout the United Kingdom.  In a British nationwide poll reported by the BBC in 2003, four of the Sherman brothers' musicals ranked in the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.  In addition to the new songs they wrote for Chitty, the brothers also wrote some new songs for the Broadway production of Mary Poppins which premiered on November 16, 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.  Both Chitty and Mary Poppins were produced collaboratively by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.

On June 9, 2005, the Sherman Brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  On November 17, 2008, the brothers received the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor conferred upon artists or patrons of the arts by the United States Government.  The award was presented to them by President George W. Bush in a ceremony at The White House.  On March 11, 2010,in honor of their contribution to Disney theme parks, the brothers were presented with a Window on Mainstreet Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Two months later on May 17th, they received the "Career Achievement Award" at The Theatre Museum's 2010 Awards Gala in New York City.  A year later on May 21st, the brothers were each awarded honorary doctorate degrees in Fine Arts from their alma mater, Bard College.  Robert has previously received an honorary doctorate degree in May 1990 from Lincoln College.

On May 22, 2009, the Sherman brothers' sons, Gregory V. Sherman and Jeff Sherman directed and produced The Boys: the Sherman Brothers' Story, a critically acclaimed documentary film about the famed duo. The film was theatrically released and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.  In October 2009, Disney released a 59 track, two disc CD, titled "The Sherman Brothers Songbook" which is compilation of their work for the studio spanning forty-two years.

Robert Sherman passed away on March 5, 2012 in London where he had lived since 2002.

~Jersey Diva

 This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Jersey Diva is a contributing writer.