Generations of people throughout the world have listened to, and sung, Disney’s It’s a Small World. On its 60th anniversary, The Walt Disney Company has released a short film, The Last Verse, that underlines its emotive power.
It’s A Small World is an exception among Disney songs because it was written by the Sherman Brothers not for a film, but for an amusement park boat ride through the cultures of the world. Personally overseen by Walt Disney in support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the attraction was a major success and after two seasons, it was moved to Disneyland park, where it opened on May 28, 1966. Today, the attraction and the Sherman Brothers’ original song are part of five Disney Parks around the world, including Disneyland Park, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
The three-minute and 30-second film by adam&eveDDB that celebrates the song will premiere on Wednesday night in the US as part of an ABC News Studios’ two-hour documentary event, The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20, that commemorates the 60th anniversary of Walt Disney Studios’ Mary Poppins, for which the Sherman Brothers earned Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.
The Last Verse not only pays tribute to the enduring legacy of the Sherman brothers, Richard and Robert, but also introduces a brand-new verse that was written by Richard Sherman for the 60th anniversary and shared with Walt Disney Company CEO, Bob Iger, in the summer of 2023.
“As the legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound impact on our global culture,” Iger stated. “Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse to It’s a Small World before he died will be a moment I will carry with me forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immeasurable musical contributions, their memory, and to the countless memories they helped create for generations of people around the world.”
The unique short film takes viewers on a journey through the past 60 years of the song’s history, showing its impact on global pop culture and highlighting the various genres of music it has influenced. It is full of rarely seen footage, photos, and stories from the film’s living legends, and a sweet remembrance of the enduring, first-of-its-kind movie magic, irresistible songs, and remarkable scores the Sherman brothers created, serving as a heartfelt tribute to the late Richard Sherman, who passed away in May 2024.
Director, Henry Alex Rubin, known for his award-winning documentary, Murderball, helmed the project. Rubin’s talent has earned him 95 Cannes Lion wins and five Emmy nominations. His recent accolades include the AICP awards for his work on Sandy Hook’s Just Joking and Dove’s Cause.
The short film is available to stream on Disney+ beginning November 28, as well as on YouTube and social media.
Credits:
Client: The Walt Disney Company
President, Disney Entertainment, Studio Marketing & Chief Brand Officer: Asad Ayaz
SVP, Brand Management: Joanna Balikian
VP, Brand Marketing: Mallory Wang
Director, Brand Marketing: Tim Pennoyer
Senior Manager, Brand Marketing: Jenise Fretz
EVP, Marketing: Frank Chiocchi
VP, Creative Director: Joshua Dunn
Executive Producer: Paige Bonanno
Creative Agency: adam&eveDDB NY & London
Chief Creative Officer: Rick Brim
Creatives: Gaby Grant & Jane Barker
Joint Head of Production/Producer: Nikki Cramphorn
Assistant Producer: Catarina van Leuven
Managing Director: James Rowe
Business Directors: Traci Feller & Erin Brogan
Head of Business Affairs: Matthew Friday
Business Affairs Manager: Layla Husted
Legal Counsel: Tom Campbell
General Legal Counsel: Candice Macleod
Director: Henry Alex Rubin
Production Company: Smuggler
Director of Photography: Mathieu Plainfosse
Executive Producer: Tom Knight
Producer: Ray Leakey
Offline Edit House: Assembly Room
Online Post-production: Selected Works
Colour Grade Company: Company 3
Music: Soundtree Music
Audio Studio: 750mph
Overseas Service Company: Tickle
