Sherman Brothers facts for kids
The Sherman Brothers were an amazing American songwriting team. They wrote many songs for popular movies, especially musicals. The team included Robert B. Sherman (who lived from 1925 to 2012) and Richard M. Sherman (born in 1928).
They won many awards, including two Academy Awards (Oscars) and three Grammy Awards. They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976. In 2008, they got the National Medal of the Arts, which is a very high honor in the United States.
The Sherman Brothers wrote more movie musical songs than any other team in history! Their famous films include The Parent Trap (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). They also wrote for animated movies like The Sword in the Stone (1963), The Jungle Book (1967), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).
You might also know their songs from theme parks, like There's A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow and It's A Small World (After All). Time Magazine even called "It's a Small World" the most performed song ever!
Contents
The Sherman Brothers' Musical Journey
How They Started Writing Songs
Robert and Richard Sherman were the sons of Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. They started writing songs together in 1951 after their father challenged them. They worked together and with other writers for many years.
In 1958, they had their first big hit song called "Tall Paul." It was sung by Annette Funicello, a "Mouseketeer" from The Mickey Mouse Club. They also wrote "You're Sixteen," which was a hit twice! First for Johnny Burnette in 1960, and then again for Ringo Starr in 1973.
Joining Walt Disney
Their successful songs caught the eye of Walt Disney. He hired the Sherman Brothers to write songs for Walt Disney Studios. Their first song for a Disney movie was "Medfield Fight Song" for The Absent-Minded Professor (1961).
While working for Disney, they wrote more movie musical songs than any other team in film history. They also created one of their most famous songs, "It's a Small World (After All)". This song was written for the 1964 New York World's Fair. It's played continuously at Disney's "It's a Small World" rides around the world.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins. This movie has classic songs like "Feed The Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee." After Mary Poppins, they received many more awards and nominations.
Robert and Richard Sherman worked closely with Walt Disney until he passed away in 1966. After leaving Disney, they continued to write songs for movies, TV shows, theme parks, and stage musicals.
Their first big project outside Disney was the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968. They earned another Academy Award nomination for its famous title song.
More Hits in the 1970s
In 1970, the Shermans briefly returned to Disney to work on The Aristocats and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Bedknobs and Broomsticks earned them two more Oscar nominations. In 1972, they received a Grammy nomination for Snoopy Come Home.
In 1973, the Sherman Brothers made history by being the only Americans to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for their movie Tom Sawyer. They also wrote the story for this film.
In 1976, their movie The Slipper and the Rose was chosen for a special performance attended by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. This modern version of Cinderella also had songs and a story written by the Sherman Brothers. They received two more Academy Award nominations for it. That same year, they got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Sherman Brothers wrote for many other popular films, both Disney and non-Disney. These include The Jungle Book (1967), Charlotte's Web (1973), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).
Outside of movies, their musical Over Here! (1974) was a huge hit on Broadway. They also wrote many popular songs like "You're Sixteen" and "Pineapple Princess."
Later Years and Recognition
In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the songs for the Disney film The Tigger Movie. This was their first big movie for Disney in over 28 years.
In 2002, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang became a hit stage musical in London. It was the most successful show ever at the London Palladium at that time. The Sherman Brothers wrote six new songs just for the stage show.
In 2003, a British poll by the BBC showed that four of their musicals were among the Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) was number one!
On November 17, 2008, the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts. This is the highest honor for artists in the United States. President George W. Bush gave them the award at The White House.
In 2009, a documentary film about them called The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story was released. It was made by their sons. In 2010, they were honored with a special window on Main Street, U.S. at Disneyland.
Robert Sherman lived in London from 2002 until he passed away on March 6, 2012. Richard Sherman continues to live in California.
Awards and Honors
The Sherman Brothers received many awards for their amazing work:
Academy Awards (Oscars)
- 1964: Won "Best Original Song" for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins.
- 1964: Won "Best Original Score" for Mary Poppins.
- 1968: Nominated for "Best Original Song" for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
- 1971: Nominated for "Best Original Song" for "The Age of Not Believing" from Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
- 1971: Nominated for "Best Original Score" for Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
- 1973: Nominated for "Best Original Score" for Tom Sawyer.
- 1977: Nominated for "Best Original Song" for "The Slipper and the Rose Waltz" from The Slipper and the Rose.
- 1977: Nominated for "Best Original Score" for The Slipper and the Rose.
- 1978: Nominated for "Best Original Song" for "When You're Loved" from The Magic of Lassie.
Annie Awards
- 2003: Won the "Winsor McCay Award" for their lifetime contribution to animation.
Grammy Awards
- 1965: Won "Best Original Score for a Motion Picture or Television Show" for Mary Poppins.
- 1965: Won "Best Recording for Children" for Mary Poppins.
- 1975: Won "Best Recording for Children" for Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too.
Other Major Awards
- 1976: Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 2005: Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- 2008: Received the National Medal of Arts from the President of the United States.
- 2010: Received the "Career Achievement Award" from The Theatre Museum.
Their Works
Movies
The Sherman Brothers wrote songs for many movies, including:
- The Parent Trap (1961)
- The Sword in the Stone (1963)
- Mary Poppins (1964)
- The Jungle Book (1967) (all songs except one)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
- The Aristocats (1970)
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
- Snoopy, Come Home (1972)
- Charlotte's Web (1973)
- Tom Sawyer (1973)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)
- The Tigger Movie (2000)
They also wrote screenplays (the stories for movies) for:
- Tom Sawyer (1973)
- Huckleberry Finn (1974)
- The Slipper and the Rose (1976)
Stage Musicals
Some of their stage musicals include:
- Over Here! (1974)
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (first in London 2002, then Broadway 2005)
- Mary Poppins (first in London 2004, then Broadway 2006)
- A Spoonful of Sherman (2014, a concert featuring their songs)
Theme Park Songs
The Sherman Brothers created many memorable songs for Disney theme parks:
- "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" for Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
- "It's a Small World (After All)" for the "It's a Small World" attraction
- "One Little Spark" for Journey Into Imagination
- "The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room" for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Images for kids
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The Sherman Brothers receiving the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Hermanos Sherman para niños
