Overview
Making Mary Poppins reveals the extraordinary true story behind the creation of one of the most beloved films of all time-and the two little-known songwriters who helped make it possible. Long before Mary Poppins danced across the rooftops of Edwardian London and into the hearts of millions, Robert and Richard Sherman were struggling songwriters in Los Angeles, trying to find their voices-and their futures. In this vivid and deeply researched narrative, author and Disney historian Todd James Pierce traces the unlikely path that brought the Sherman brothers to Walt Disney's attention, and how their personal history, musical genius, and emotional lives shaped the film's unforgettable songs and surprising storyline. From their early days writing novelty tunes to the high-stakes drama of working with P. L. Travers and Walt Disney himself, the Sherman brothers' story is rich with behind-the-scenes intrigue, creative breakthroughs, and quiet triumphs. Their work on Mary Poppins not only launched their careers-it transformed Disney's live-action division and influenced an entire era of musical filmmaking. Filled with never-before-published details and backstage portraits, Making Mary Poppins is a story of art, ambition, and resilience. It's also a story of family-of the bond between two brothers whose brilliance gave the world ""Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,"" ""Feed the Birds,"" and a vision of magic that still resonates today. A must-read for Disney fans, film buffs, and lovers of classic musicals, this is the definitive account of how one magical nanny came to life and helped change the face of Hollywood.
Full Product Details
Author: Todd James Pierce
Publisher: WW Norton & Co
Imprint: WW Norton & Co
Dimensions:
Width: 16.00cm
, Height: 2.50cm
, Length: 23.60cm
Weight: 0.436kg
ISBN: 9781324111078
ISBN 10: 1324111070
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 11 November 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Awaiting stock
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Reviews
Until now no one has captured the full story of how Walt Disney's extraordinary Mary Poppins came about. Yet this is not a mere recitation of facts and figures. It is the saga of two brothers whose careers crystallized when Walt Disney saw something special in their creative DNA and made them a vital part of his filmmaking team.--Leonard Maltin, author of The Disney Films and host of Maltin on Movies.
Until now no one has captured the full story of how Walt Disney's extraordinary Mary Poppins came about. . . . It is the saga of two brothers whose careers crystallized when Walt Disney saw something special in their creative DNA.--Leonard Maltin
This heart-warming account details how Mary Poppins, Walt Disney's classic 1964 movie musical about an English nanny, came to be, especially through the contributions of its songwriting duo, Bob and Dick Sherman(...)Pierce relates fascinating, behind- the-scenes stories about the film's production and post-production process(...)At the close, readers will feel even more connected to this beloved movie.--Biz Hyzy ""Booklist"" (10/10/2025 12:00:00 AM) Until now no one has captured the full story of how Walt Disney's extraordinary Mary Poppins came about. . . . It is the saga of two brothers whose careers crystallized when Walt Disney saw something special in their creative DNA.--Leonard Maltin
Author Information
Todd James Pierce is an author, professor of English, and host of the popular Disney History Institute podcast. He lives in Orcutt, California.
