MARY POPPINS This autumn Americans are renewing acquaintance with, or meeting for the first time, one of the most delightful literary creations of all time, as that English nanny, Mary Poppins, brightens the motion picture screen. The Walt Disney production, with Julie Andrews, as Mary, in such illustrious acting company as Dick Van Dyke, Ed Wynn, Glynis Johns and many others, is already being hailed as one of the all time great films.

Hollis Alpert, writing in Saturday Review, says: "...a 2 1/2 hour burst of sheer frolicsome delight, one of the most magnificent pieces of entertainment ever to come from Hollywood... It has bright, catchy songs, clever ballet, fine comic acting, and whimsical animation effects that add to the film's charm... Credit must first of all be given to the enduring charm of the little books written by Miss [P. L.] Travers... to the lyrics and tunes of RICHARD and ROBERT SHERMAN... Put simply, Mary Poppins is a wonderful show."

As creators of the film's score, the Sherman brothers have added another to an already imposing list of credits. Among them are the music for Summer Magic, in Search of the Castaways, The Parent Trap, the theme music for NBC TV's Wonderful World of Color, The Absent Minded Professor and others.

Cover of BMI: About Music & Writers, October 1964	Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, & Friends in Mary Poppins
Images © 1964 Walt Disney Productions

The sons of a famous songwriter, Al Sherman, the Shermans were born in New York, educated in California, and are both graduates of Bard College. They had their first song hit in 1952, "Things I Might Have Been," and their songs "Midnight Oil" and 'Tall Paul" both won BMI awards. In 1960 they joined Disney Productions and have been working there since.

As a token of the esteem in which they are held by their Hollywood associates, Robert Sherman was this year elected to the executive music committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Currently the team is at work on a score for Winnie the Pooh, a new Disney production based on the A. A. Milne classic. This feature cartoon will be released Christmas, 1965.

SHOF inductees Robert and Richard Sherman, Towering Song Award winners Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, BMI's Del Bryant, and SHOF inductees David Porter, Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper

Also honored was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," written by BMI writers Phil Spector, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The Righteous Brothers' classic received this year's Towering Song Award. "Lovin' Feelin'" recently surpassed the 10 million performance plateau and was recognized at BMI's 2005 Pop Awards held in May.

Gathered before the induction ceremony are (back row) EMI Publishing's Marty Bandier, BMI's Del Bryant, SHOF President Linda Moran, SHOF inductee Steve Cropper, performer Lalah Hathaway, SHOF inductees John Fogerty, Smokey Robinson, and Bill Withers, Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., songwriter Jimmy Webb, SHOF Chairman Hal David, Gibson Guitar Chairman Henry Juszkiewicz , Towering Song Award winner Cynthia Weil, (kneeling) performers Debra Gibson and Ryan Cabrera, Towering Song Award winner Barry Mann, and SHOF inductees Les Paul and Richard Sherman

Dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world, National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The NAPM/SHOF is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. BMI is a long-time supporter of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

SHOF inductees David Porter, Isaac Hayes and Steve Cropper

SHOF inductees David Porter, Les Paul and Isaac Hayes, BMI former President & CEO Frances Preston, Towering Song Award winners Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and SHOF Chairman Hal David

BMI President and CEO Del Bryant (right) congratulates brothers Richard and Robert Sherman

photos by Gary Gershoff