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December 19, 2025

Making Mary Poppins by Todd James Pierce review

Bob and Dick Sherman take centre stage in this well-researched account of how Walt Disney created a classic

Making Mary Poppins by Todd James Pierce review

TL;DR

  • The article reviews Todd James Pierce's book about the making of Disney's 1964 film "Mary Poppins."
  • The book focuses on the songwriting duo Bob and Dick Sherman as unsung heroes.
  • It details the conflict between Walt Disney and P.L. Travers, the author of the "Mary Poppins" books, over her character's adaptation.
  • Travers had specific demands, including a British cast and the absence of the color red.
  • The book discusses "making of" details like the origin of "Supercali­fragilisticexpialidocious" and the creation of "Sister Suffragette."
  • Lost sequences and technical aspects like "yellow-screen" for animation crossovers are mentioned.
  • The review notes the lack of new interviews and photos in Pierce's research, which relies on Disney archives.

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