You already know this story, right? Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman, the
house composers for Walt Disney Studios while Walt was still alive. Academy Award winners for their work on “Mary Poppins,” Dick & Bob (aka “the boys”) had a gift for producing eminently
hummable tunes. As is demonstrated by their output for the Disney parks (i.e. “it’s
a small world,” “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” “The Tiki Tiki Tiki
Room” and “One Little Spark”).
So you’d think that – given that the Shermans wrote so many
sunny, upbeat tunes over the years – that this must have been an easy collaboration.
Two brothers working in perfect harmony.
Copyright 2009 Disney. All Rights Reserved
Well, that’s where you’d be wrong. As Jeffrey C. Sherman and Gregory V. Sherman‘s
excellent new documentary — “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” – proves, Dick
& Bob had two very different temperaments. More importantly, two very different outlooks on
life. Which – in the end – caused a rift that had a pretty horrific impact on
the extended Sherman family.
Mind you, it wasn’t always like this. “the boys” skillfully
takes you through Dick & Bob’s formative years. With particular attention
being placed to Bob’s brutal experiences in battle during World War II (i.e. suffering
a machine gun wound to the knee while being fired upon by the enemy; Bob’s unit
being among the first to arrive at the concentration camps in Dachau, etc.)
causing this Sherman brother to then have issues with depression.
The Sherman brothers hard at work on the music for “it’s a small world” Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
Whereas Dick had a much sunnier disposition (playing Tigger
to Bobs’ Eeyore, if you will) along with a truly explosive temper. “the boys”
recounts how – once in a fit of rage – Dick overturned a piano. Which suggests
that turning out tunes for family-friendly films like “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,”
“The Jungle Book” and “Charlotte’s Web” may have been a lot harder than it
looked.
Most of “the boys” running time is made up of Bob & Dick
looking back over their careers. Though – that said — Jeffrey & Gregory have lined up a pretty amazing group of performers
& personalities to provide color & commentary on the Sherman brothers’
career. Chief among these are Disney Legends Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke,
Angela Lansbury and Hayley Mills. Who reminisce about the various projects that
they personally worked on with Bob & Dick.
Robert M. & Richard B. Sherman, circa the late 1970s Copyright Disney. All Rights Reserved
Then there are filmmakers John Lasseter & John Landis,
who talk about the enormous impact that the Sherman brothers’ music has had on film
history. Not to mention Alan Menken & Kenny Loggins, who comment on the
boys’ craft. The wit & precision with which Dick & Bob assembled their
tunes.
In the end, “the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” is a
show business story that – while it celebrates Dick & Bob’s careers – has this
real undercurrent of sadness. Because these brothers really haven’t been able
to get along since the mid-1960s, their respective families have been at odds
for decades. And one of the main reasons that Jeffrey & Gregory made this
movie is … Well, the cousins were hoping that they then might be to heal this
rift. Bring about some sort of reconciliation between Dick & Bob.
Not to spoil the ending of this picture or anything, but
that doesn’t happen in “the boys.” Life isn’t like
a Disney movie, where you’re virtually guaranteed a happy ending. And given
that Dick & Bob are such complex, complicated men … Well, it’s doubtful
that the boys will ever be able to put their differences aside and really
reconcile. And – yet – somewhere in their songs, they do actually meet.
“the boys: the sherman
brothers’ story” is an entertaining & informative documentary that offers
real insight into Dick & Bob’s career. As you exit the theater, you’ll come
away with a deeper appreciation of how difficult it must have been – given who
the Sherman brothers were & how different their lives seem to have been –
to write all of those deceptively simple, eminently hummable tunes.
Robert B. & Richard M. Sherman together in Washington D.C. last November
“the boys: the sherman brothers’ story” opens this Friday at the Landmark Sunshine
Cinema in New York City; Landmark’s Regent Theatre in Los Angeles; the AMC Loews Metreon in San Francisco and the Cinemas Palme D’Or in
Palm Desert, CA.