Register 101 Seats Remaining

The Making of Mary Poppins

with Disney History Institute scholar Todd James Pierce

MAKING MARY POPPINS explores the unknown story of one of Disney's most beloved films, including the songwriters who brought it to life.

For many of us, Mary Poppins was one of the most memorable film experiences of our youth. This classic Disney film was the movie-going sensation of the holiday season of 1964. Filmed on the studio lot here in Burbank just a few blocks away, Mary Poppins is a part of our local history. In an illustrated talk, Disney History Institute scholar Todd James Pierce will put you in the room as Walt Disney, the Sherman brothers, P.J. Travers, and others, giving an inside view of their ideas for the development of the narrative and songs for the film. You will be there as the film is created.

Long before Mary Poppins danced across the rooftops of Edwardian London and into the hearts of millions, Robert and Richard Sherman were struggling songwriters in Los Angeles, trying to find their voices—and their futures. In MAKING MARY POPPINS: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film [W. W. Norton & Company; November 11, 2025], Pierce traces the unlikely path that brought the Sherman brothers to Walt Disney’s attention, and how their personal history, musical genius, and emotional lives shaped the film’s unforgettable songs and surprising storyline.

From their early days writing novelty tunes to the high-stakes drama of working with P. L. Travers and Walt Disney himself, the Sherman brothers’ story is rich with behind-the-scenes intrigue, creative breakthroughs, and quiet triumphs. Their work on Mary Poppins not only launched their careers—it transformed Disney’s live-action division and influenced an entire era of musical filmmaking.

While the Shermans and their songs are at the heart of the book, there are also lively anecdotes about the casting of the movie, the innovative special effects, and the relationship between Mary Poppins and the larger Disney world. MAKING MARY POPPINS tells the fascinating story behind an iconic film. A must-read for Disney fans, film buffs, and lovers of classic musicals, this is the definitive account of how one magical nanny came to life and helped change the face of Hollywood.

So take a break from holiday shopping and come to an event where we explore the wonders of family arranged into the timeless magic of a classic film.

The book will be available for sale and the author will host a signing after the program. A great gift for the holidays!

Upcoming events