Rare Recordings of the Sherman Brothers Discussing ‘Mary Poppins’ Finally See the Light of Day in New Podcast Series
Less than two weeks after legendary songwriter Richard M. Sherman passed away at the age of 95, unearthed recordings are shedding light on the Sherman Brothers’ creative process.
Disney music historian Randy Thornton, who has served as the studio’s supervising producer of music projects for 37 years, told Variety that he was working with the Sherman brothers on soundtrack restoration projects in the 1990s and 2000s when Richard pulled him aside.
![Sherman Brothers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sherman-Brothers-1024x576.jpg)
![Sherman Brothers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sherman-Brothers-1024x576.jpg)
Photo: D23
“I have something you might be interested in,” the legendary songwriter said.
The Lost Recordings
What Sherman had for Travers was a stack of tape reels that held story meetings between Mary Poppins author P.L Travers and screenwriter Don DaGradi.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/mary-poppins-julia-andrews-2-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/mary-poppins-julia-andrews-2-1024x683.jpg)
PhotoL Disney-MARY POPPINS, Julie Andrews, 1964
“This is ‘fly on the wall’ stuff,” Thornton continues, “a snapshot in time, capturing a moment in history, behind the scenes with creative minds. Richard never listened to them; it was such a difficult time for him.”
The archival recordings will finally be heard by the public as part of a new podcast, Disney: A Recorded History, which was released today.
‘Disney: A Recorded History’
Thornton serves as the host of the new 12-part series and will provide a historical framework for rare recordings of Walt Disney and his legendary team of creative talent as they set about making entertainment history.
![Richard Sherman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Richard-Sherman-D23-1024x521.jpg)
![Richard Sherman](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Richard-Sherman-D23-1024x521.jpg)
Photo: D23
The series will start in 1928 with Disney’s efforts to turn Steamboat Willie into a synchronized sound cartoon. That episode, as well as later installments, will include extensive recordings of conversations with Walt Disney himself. The archival footage was initially recorded in Walt’s backyard in 1956 as part of Diane Disney Miller’s research for her book The Story of Walt Disney.
The Sherman Brothers recordings, meanwhile, will factor into episodes 10, 11, and 12.
![Steamboat Willie](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Steamboat-Willie-1024x521.jpg)
![Steamboat Willie](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Steamboat-Willie-1024x521.jpg)
Photo: D23
Episode 1 of Disney: A Recorded History is available now on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast services.
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