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Robert B. Sherman

Robert Bernard Sherman (born December 19, 1925) (see also: "Sherman Brothers") is an American songwriter who specializes in musical films with his brother Richard Morton Sherman. Some of Sherman's best known writing includes the songs from Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose and the theme park song, "It's a Small World (after all)".

Early life

Robert Bernard Sherman was born in December 18, 1925 in New York City. His parents, Rosa (pronounced: "Rose") & Al Sherman paid Robert's hospital delivery costs with a royalty check which had arrived that day. The title of the song which covered the hospital bill was "Save Your Sorrow". Al Sherman was to become a well known Tin Pan Alley songwriter.

As a youth, Robert Sherman excelled in intellectual pursuits, taking up the violin and piano, painting and writing poetry. Following seven years of frequent cross-country moves, the Shermans finally settled down in Beverly Hills, California. Throughout his years at Beverly Hills High School, he wrote and produced radio and stage programs for which he won much acclaim. At sixteen, he wrote a stage play entitled, Armistice and Dedication Day which earned thousands of dollars for War Bonds and a special citation from the War Department.

World War II

In 1943, Sherman obtained permission from his parents to join the army a year early, at age 17. In early April 1945, he led half a squad of men into Dachau concentration camp, the first Allied troops to enter the camp after it had been evacuated by the fleeing German military only hours earlier. On April 12, 1945, the day President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died, Sherman was shot in the knee forcing him to walk with a cane ever since. For his service to his country, he received two Battle Stars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, an American Campaign Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. In addition, Sherman was also awarded several Army Weapons Qualifications badges including a "Sharpshooter badge" with bars for both rifle and submachine gun; a "Marksman Badge" for carbine and an "Expert Badge" for rifle and grenade.

During his recuperation in Taunton and Bournemouth England, Sherman was awarded the Purple Heart medal. While still rehabilitating, Sherman first became curious about British culture, reading anything he could find on the subject. Once back on his feet, Sherman met and became friends with many British people, attaining first hand knowledge of the United Kingdom, her customs and people. Years later, Sherman credited this time in his life as the origin of his fascination with England, believing that it proved an invaluable resource to his songwriting career. Many of his best-known works center around English stories, authors and subject matter.

United States Military Service Medals

	Purple Heart
	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	Army Good Conduct Medal
	World War II Victory Medal

United States Military Qualification Badges

Education

On his return to the United States, Sherman attended Bard College in upstate New York where he majored in English Literature and Painting. Sherman also served as the editor-in-chief of The Bardian which is the campus newspaper. At Bard, Sherman completed his first two novels entitled, The Best Estate and Music, Candy and Painted Eggs. He graduated in the class of 1949. On May 12, 1990 Sherman received an Honorary Doctorate from Lincoln College.

Songwriting career

Within two years, Sherman and his brother Richard began writing songs together on a challenge from their father, Al Sherman, a successful popular songwriter in the "Tin Pan Alley" days ("No! No! A Thousand Times No!!", "You Gotta Be A Football Hero"). In 1953, Robert married Joyce Sasner, which moderated what had become his bohemian lifestyle in the years following the war. His first child, Laurie, was born in 1955, followed by Jeffrey in 1957, Andrea in 1960 and later, Robert in 1968.

In 1958, Sherman founded the music publishing company, Music World Corporation, which later worked with Disney's BMI publishing arm, Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the Sherman Brothers had their first "Top Ten" hit with "Tall Paul", sung by Mouseketeer, Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.

While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote what is perhaps their most recognized song: "It's a Small World (after all)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair.

In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, which includes the songs "Feed The Birds", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and the Oscar winner, "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Since Mary Poppins' premiere, Robert B. Sherman has subsequently earned 9 Academy Award nominations, 2 Grammy Awards, 4 Grammy Award nominations and 23 gold and platinum albums.

Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brothers worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals.

Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968 which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination.

In 1973, the Sherman Brothers made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer for which they also authored the screenplay.

The Slipper and the Rose, was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year and was attended by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, Slipper also features both song-score and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Their numerous other Disney and Non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland (1992).

Outside the motion picture realm, their Tony nominated, Over Here! (1974) was the biggest-grossing original Broadway Musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen", which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice; first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include, "Pineapple Princess", "Let's Get Together" and more.

In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for Disney's blockbuster film: The Tigger Movie (2000). This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over twenty eight years.

In 2002, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was turned into a musical for the London stage. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium boasting the longest run in that century old theatre's history. In early 2005 a second Chitty company premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions.

In 2002, Sherman moved from Beverly Hills to London, England where he continues to write and paint.

In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the "Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time" in a (British) nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967)_ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.

A new Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary Poppins: The Stage Musical made its world premier at the Prince Edward Theatre in December 2004 and features the Sherman Brothers classic songs.

In June 2005, Robert B. Sherman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also in June 2005, a tribute was paid to Robert B. Sherman at the Théâtre de Vevey in Vevey, Switzerland by the Ballet Romand. Chitty commenced its full UK tour in December 2005.

In 2006, Robert Sherman completed an autobiographical novel entitled Moose. In 2008 Poppins embarks on a UK tour. A US tour is expected for both Poppins and Chitty.

Painting

A lesser known aspect of Sherman's life is his painting which he has done since 1941 and kept private (except from his family and close friends) until 2002. Sherman studied painting while attending Bard College, receiving a double degree in both Painting and English Literature. Sherman has worked in various visual arts media, including clay and metal sculpture, but his main focus was oil painting throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. He switched to acrylics in the mid 1960s, and has painted in that medium ever since. In April 2002, an exhibition of Sherman's paintings was held in London, England, at Thompsons' Gallery on Marylebone High Street. This marked the first public exhibition of his paintings since he started painting in 1941. Sherman subsequently exhibited his paintings in Florida and California. A series of Limited Edition Giclées of Sherman's art were also published at this time on both canvas and paper.

Paintings which have appeared at the various exhibitions include: "On Route 9G" (c.1949), "Self Portrait" (1970), "San Francisco (1970)", "Moses" (1977), "Carousel In The Country" (1982), "From the Dining Room (1982)", "Sacrifice" (1983), "Florid Window" (1984), "Geisha (1986)", "Fine Four Fendered Friend (2002)" and "Park Lane" (2003). On March 4, 2007, Sherman and his younger son, Robbie, donated limited edition prints of "Moses" and "Sacrifice" to the Giffnock Synagogue in Glasgow, Scotland.

Robert Sherman has also been a metal sculptor, poet, and short story author.

Marriage and family

Sherman married Joyce Ruth (Sasner) Sherman on September 27, 1953. Joyce and Robert had four children named Laurie Shane, Jeffrey Craig, Andrea Tracy and Robert Jason. Dr. Laurie Sherman is married to Dr. John Evans and they have five children including two sets of identical twins; Joshua Sherman, Sarah Aurora and Amelia Elizabeth, Cassidy Elise and Chelsea Rhiannon. Jeff Sherman is married to Wendy Liebman and they have two children; Alex and Ryan. Joyce Sherman died on October 16, 2001.

Recent achievements

In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the award winning score to The Tigger Movie which achieved number one status in both theatrical box office and video sales.

The Sherman Brothers' classic motion picture, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was adapted into a London West End Musical in 2002 and premiered at the London Palladium on April 16, 2002 featuring many new songs and a reworked score by both Sherman Brothers. It was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Musical. The Sherman Brothers each received the "Musical Theatre Award" from the Variety Club of Great Britain that year as well for Chitty. Chitty finished a record breaking, three and a half year run at the Palladium becoming the longest running show in the theatre's century long history. 2004 saw the premiere of Mary Poppins on the stage. In 2005, Poppins was nominated for nine Olivier Awards. In 2005 Chitty went to Broadway and was nominated for 9 Tonys and also began its nation wide (UK) tour.

On June 9, 2005, Sherman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Bill Withers, Steve Cropper, John Fogerty, Isaac Hayes, David Porter and his brother, Richard M. Sherman.

On November 16, 2006 the Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of Mary Poppins made its Broadway premiere at the New Amsterdam Theater featuring the Sherman Brothers’ classic songs.

In 2007, Sherman began preproduction on the film project Inkas the Ramferinkas in London, Munich and Los Angeles for which he collaborated on both the script and score. During a London press junket promoting the 40th anniversary DVD rerelease of The Jungle Book, Robert and brother Richard were witnessed by press working on a new song for Inkas in the same Brown's Hotel room where The Jungle Book was originally penned by British writer, Rudyard Kipling over a hundred years earlier.

In February, 2008 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang began a second UK tour. In 2008 and 2009, Poppins is scheduled to premiere in numerous cities throughout the world including: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Budapest, Toronto,Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Helsinki. Full UK and US tours of Poppins are also scheduled to commence in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Robert B. Sherman Scholarship

In 2005 Robert Sherman established an annual scholarship award in his name through the BMI Foundation. The awardee is chosen by BMI's Lehman Engel program with some consultation with Sherman. The first awardee was announced in November, 2006. Awardees are chosen for their excellence in musical comedy songwriting with an emphasis on lyric writing. Following is a list of the annual winners since the award's inception:

2006 - Andrew Nellessen
2007 - Michael Mitnick

Collaboration from afar

Since 2002, Robert Sherman has lived in London, England. He moved from Beverly Hills while Richard Sherman remained in California. Surprisingly; however, the separation did not impede the brothers' collaborative process. The brothers have credited this to the technological advents of fax machines, email and low cost, international telephone service. Also, both brothers travel between Los Angeles, New York and London frequently which also facilitates their work. Since Robert's move, the brothers have continued to collaborate on various musical plays as well as a feature, animated, film musical which incorporates their original story, song score and screenplay.

Major film scores

The Parent Trap, 1961
In Search of the Castaways, 1962
Summer Magic, 1963
The Sword in the Stone, 1963
Big Red, 1963
Mary Poppins, 1964
The Happiest Millionaire, 1967
The Jungle Book, 1967
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, 1968
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968
The Aristocats, 1970
Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971
Snoopy, Come Home, 1972
Charlotte's Web, 1973
Tom Sawyer, 1973
Huckleberry Finn, 1974
The Slipper and the Rose, 1976
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1977
The Magic of Lassie, 1978
Magic Journeys, 1982
Winnie the Pooh and a Day For Eeyore, 1983
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, 1992
The Mighty Kong, 1998
Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving", 1999
The Tigger Movie, 2000
Inkas the Ramferinkas, 2009 (announced)

Motion picture screenplays

A Symposium on Popular Songs(uncredited), 1962
Mary Poppins, 1964 (*treatment only, uncredited)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1973
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1974
The Slipper and the Rose, 1976
The Magic of Lassie, 1978
Blue Echoes, 1982 (*unproduced)
Ferdinand the Bull, 1986 (*TV screenplay)
Inkas the Ramferinkas, 2009 (announced)

Stage musicals

Victory Canteen, 1971 (Ivar Theatre, L.A.)
Over Here!, 1974 (Broadway, NY)
Dawgs, 1983 (Variety Arts Center, L.A.)
Busker Alley, 1995 (U.S. Tour)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2002 (London)
Mary Poppins, 2004 (London)
On the Record 2004-5 (U.S. Tour)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2005 (Broadway, NY)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2005 (UK Tour)
Busker Alley, 2006 (Broadway, NY - *one night only)
Mary Poppins, 2006 (Broadway, NY)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2007 (Singapore)
Mary Poppins, 2008 (UK Tour)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2008 (Second UK Tour)
Mary Poppins, 2008 (Stockholm)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (US Tour)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Copenhagen)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Budapest)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Shanghai)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Australia)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (South Africa)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Amsterdam)
Mary Poppins, 2009 (Helsinki)

Theme park songs

There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for Carousel of Progress
Miracles from Molecules for Adventure Thru Inner Space
One Little Spark for Journey Into Imagination
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (attraction)
"it's a small world" for the 1964 New York World's Fair attraction of the same name.
"The Astuter Computer Revue" for the 1982 premiere of the CommuniCore Exhibit at EPCOT.
Magic Highways for Rocket Rods
Makin' Memories for Magic Journeys
The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
"We Meet the World with Love" and Meet the World for the same exhibit in Tokyo Disneyland

Professional awards

Academy Awards

1979 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "When You're Loved" from The Magic of Lassie"
1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "The Slipper and the Rose Waltz" from The Slipper and the Rose"
1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Adaptation Score" for The Slipper and the Rose"
1974 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Scoring Original Song Score and/or Adaptation" for Tom Sawyer
1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "The Age of Not Believing" from Bedknobs and Broomsticks
1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score" for Bedknobs and Broomsticks
1969 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
1965 Won Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins
1965 Won Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Score - Substantially Original" for Mary Poppins

Annie Awards

2003 "Winsor McCay Award" for lifetime achievement and contribution to animation
2000 Nominated Annie in the category of "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production" for the song "Round My Family Tree" from The Tigger Movie

BAFTA Awards

1977 Nominated "Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music" for The Slipper and the Rose

BMI

1991 "Lifetime Achievement Award" awarded at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
1977 "Pioneer Award" awarded in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Award

1973 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Tom Sawyer
1964 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Mary Poppins

Disney

1990 "Disney Legends" awarded at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
1985 "Mousecar" awarded at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California in front of 20 thousand people.

Golden Globes

1977 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for The Slipper and the Rose
1974 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Tom Sawyer
1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Song" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
1965 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Mary Poppins

Grammy Awards

1974 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Musical Show" for Over Here!
1972 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Children's Show" for Snoopy Come Home
1965 Won Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Motion Picture or Television Show" for Mary Poppins

Laurel Awards

1966 3rd place "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "That Darn Cat!" for That Darn Cat!
1965 Won "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "Chim Chim Cher-ee" for Mary Poppins
1965 2nd Place "Golden Laurel" in the category of ''Music Men"

Moscow Film Festival

1973 First Place Award in the category of "Best Music" for Tom Sawyer

Olivier Awards

2002 Nominated "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Songwriters Hall of Fame

2005 induction at the Marriott Hotel on Times Square in New York.

Variety Club Awards

2003 Won "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Walk of Fame

To "Richard & Robert Sherman" awarded on: November 17, 1976, located at: 6914 Hollywood Blvd.

References

Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: from before to beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.
Greene, Kathrine and Richard. "Inside The Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney". New York: Disney Editions, 2001.
Peterson, Monique. Disney's The Little Big Book of Pooh. New York: Disney Editions, 2002.
Tietyen, David. The Musical World of Walt Disney. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, 1990.