40. Author Katy Price on Walt Disney's Melody Makers

The cover of Katy Price's book Walt Disney's Melody Makers

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So many books have been written about the Disney Company, particularly the heyday for Walt Disney in the ’50s and ’60s. It says a lot when you consider how many unknown stories remain from this time period. Walt employed a large group of talented individuals to help create his films and attractions at Disneyland. We know the common stories about these figures, but there’s a lot more to their lives. A perfect example is the Sherman Brothers, who enjoyed success well beyond their work on attractions like “it’s a small world” and the Carousel of Progress. Katy Price’s book Walt Disney’s Melody Makers gives us a better idea of their extensive body of work.

Price is my guest on this episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast to talk about the book and the Sherman Brothers’ career. Richard and Robert Sherman were more than just composers; they played a key role in developing films like Mary Poppins and attractions like the Enchanted Tiki Room. Price spent two years compiling research and writing the book, which covers more than the brothers’ time at Disney. She even traveled to California to gather more information to help put together the Sherman Brothers’ story.

Price is also a fine artist and lifelong Disney fan, and our conversation discusses her other work beyond this book. There’s definitely a lot to talk about from the Sherman Brothers’ career, and we covered the following topics:

What was it about the Sherman Brothers’ style that made them such a good fit for Disney?
How did Richard and Robert find a way around the challenges of writing a song for massive boat ride?
Why is “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” so important to the brothers’ feelings about Walt?
How accurate was Saving Mr. Banks in showing the challenges with P.L. Travers with Mary Poppins?
Why has the music of the Sherman Brothers remained so popular and relevant today?