Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman papers, 1963-1969

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sherman, Richard M., 1928-; Sherman, Robert B.
Title
Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman papers
Dates
1963-1969 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.64 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number
03222
Summary
This collection contains music scores, notes, research materials, scripts, vinyl recordings, songbooks and related materials for six motion pictures.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Brothers Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman composed music and lyrics for more motion-picture musicals than any other songwriting team in film history, including several Walt Disney productions. The Sherman brothers were the sons of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Their father was also a famous songwriter, Al Sherman, who wrote Tin Pan Alley. Robert B. Sherman was born in December of 1925, and his brother Richard M. was born June of 1928. Together the duo received various accolades including two Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards. In 1976, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2008, the National Medal of the Arts. The brothers' music is featured in films, stage productions, TV shows, and theme park songs, and garnered them numerous award nominations and victories. Robert B. Sherman died in 2012.

The pair of brothers founded the music publishing company Music World Corporation in 1958, which would go on to enjoy a landmark relationship with Disney's publishing firm beginning in the 1960s. They wrote many well-known songs for Walt Disney, including their most well-known song, It's a Small World (After All) written in 1964. The brothers worked directly for Walt Disney until his death in 1966, after which they left the company. In 1968, their first non-Disney work was produced- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The production earned the pair their third Academy Award nomination. In the 2000s the pair wrote six more songs for Chitty, the stage adaptation of their hit film. In the 1970s the brothers returned to Disney and worked on films like The Jungle Book and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, as well as many non-Disney affiliated films.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains music scores, notes, research materials, scripts, vinyl recordings, songbooks and related materials for six motion pictures, including The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Preservation Note

System Requirements

Motion picture sound tracks -- Sound discs -- 33 1/3 rpm.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The collection material was donated by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Brittany Heye in September of 2023.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang:
Box
1
Correspondence
1967
1
Magazine Articles/ Posters
1968-1969
1
Music Scores
1968
1
Notes
undated
1
Screenplay by Roald Dahl
November 22, 1966
1
Song Lyrics
undated
2
Original Cast Soundtrack vinyl record
1968
2
Music Sheets
undated
The Happiest Millionaire:
Box
1
Correspondence
1965
1
Lyrics
undated
1
Music Scores
1966-1967
1
Notes
undated
1-2
Program
1967
1
Reviews
undated
1
Screenplay
1963, 1966
1
Shooting Script
April 1966
2
Original Cast Soundtrack vinyl record
1966
2
Music Sheets
undated
The Jungle Book:
Box
1
Lyrics
undated
1
Music Scores (digital copies available)
1967
1
Notes
undated
1
Screenplay
undated
2
Original Cast Soundtrack vinyl record
1967
2
Music Sheets
undated
My Philidelphia Father:
Box
1
Lyrics
1963
1
Screenplay
December 7, 1963
The One and Only Genuine, Original Family Band:
Box
1
Conversion from Straight Drama to Musical by Hawley, Lowell S.
October 11, 1965
1
Lyrics
undated
1
Music Scores
1967-1968
1
Musical Script
1966
1
Screenplay
September 15, 1966
1
Story Outline
1965-1966
2
Original Cast Soundtrack vinyl record
1968
2
Music Sheets
undated
Winnie the Pooh Series:
Box
1
Lyrics
undated
1
Music Scores
1963, 1968
1
Notes
undated
1
Production Outline
August 5, 1964
1
Reviews
October 27, 1964
1
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree Screenplay
February 1, 1965
2
Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree vinyl record
1965
2
Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day vinyl record
1967
2
Music Sheets
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Animated films -- United States.
  • Children's films -- United States.
  • Motion picture music -- Scores.

Corporate Names

  • Walt Disney Productions.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Film stills.
  • Phonograph records.
  • Scores.
  • Scripts.
  • Song books.

Occupations

  • Composers.
  • Lyricists.

Other Creators