The Boys: Sherman Brothers

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 9:22pm

I just watched this documentary about the Sherman Brothers. They are so talented.

I thought it was interesting that their families never interacted with each other.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 6:23am

I ended up buying the DVD because I thought it was so well done.

Yes, it was fascinating to learn that these brothers who worked so well together as a songwriting team could barely speak to each other in real life. And their kids didn't even know each other growing up. I found it very sad, ultimately.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 8:17pm

It was sad, best12, but I think the film itself was a sort of "happy" ending. I got to meet Richard Sherman at a Disney event shortly after the film appeared on cable. (Very humble guy: came over to Paige O'Hara's table (they had collaborated on a music video for the PETER PAN DVD) and then proceeded to go around the table and quietly introduce himself to each member of her family and friends--not in a showboating way, but in a very sweet and gentlemanly fashion.)

When he came to me, I stood and replied that he needed no introduction; I am a big fan. (True.) And then I mentioned the documentary and that was all he wanted to talk about. He said he was "so proud" of "our boys" and so happy that they had become so close during the making of their movie.

So maybe sometimes it takes a second generation to fully complete a reconciliation.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 9:48pm

I agree!, Gav I was very moved that the the second generation decided to get together and tell this story so honestly. They captured all the successes, the happy times, but also the flaws, and the pain, and the disconnection, and the loneliness.

If there is a happy ending, it's that the cousins finally got together to share the "magic" created by these two brilliant men.

EDIT: They really were the music of my childhood. And not just the many wonderful Disney songs, but Tom Sawyer, Charlie Brown, Charlotte's Web, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose ... so many wonderful songs.

Updated On: 9/25/13 at 09:48 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 10:11pm

I hadn't realized until this documentary that they had written the Annette Funicello music.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 8:25pm

Best12, as a kid I was a bit of a snob about movie musicals, considering them inferior to stage scores. (I know better now.) But the Sherman Brothers' scores were always the exception.