News Archive: 2009

Here is the film synopsis provided by the filmmakers:

the boys: the sherman brothers' story is an intimate journey through the lives of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the astoundingly prolific, Academy Award winning songwriting team that defined family musical entertainment for five decades. The feature-length documentary, conceived, produced and directed by two of the songwriters' sons, takes audiences behind the scenes of the Hollywood magic factory and offers a rare glimpse of a unique creative process at work. It also explores a deep and longstanding rift that has kept the brothers personally estranged throughout much of their unparalleled professional partnership.

After watching the film, Karla Buhlman has this to share with the Gene's fans about the boys: the sherman brothers' story:

"Working for Gene Autry Entertainment I see all sides of the musical coin – the performer, the publisher, and the songwriter. I have a soft spot in my heart for songwriters so this film was really touching to me because I love the songs of the Sherman Brothers and their personal story really moved me. The interviews in the film with the brothers and those who worked with them such as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were especially powerful. Having worked on Gene Autry's biography I value the importance of first hand accounts and commentaries and the filmmakers for this documentary are blessed with a treasure trove of such interviews. The restored film clips from Disney films and other productions were also quite striking.

"I grew up with the Sherman Brothers music and have watched my children experience the same fun and joy from songs like Chim Chim Cherrie, I Wanna Be Like You and The Tiki Room. It was only recently that I learned their first hit was Gene Autry's recording of their song Gold Can Buy You Anything (But Love). Therefore it was a real pleasure to work with the produces of this film on photos of Gene and a newly restored Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio Show track of the song.

"The film opens May 22nd and is in limited release at this time. If you have a chance to see the boys in a theater, I strongly encourage you to do so as the film clips are restored and look so wonderful on the big screen. If the film does not go into wide release, I hope it will soon be on DVD and that you can watch it at home. My recommendation is to watch the film with your family, sing along with the songs, then go out for ice cream afterwards to talk about your Sherman Brothers' musical memories and your own family relationships."

You can watch the trailer on the film's official website www.theboysdoc.com. Once the intro has played, you'll get a menu page. Click on Trailer at the bottom of the page.

Read Leonard Maltin's review here.

Here is a list of the theaters the boys will be playing on Friday May 22nd: