In the mid 1960s, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Frank De Vol, Mack David, Jimmy Van Heusen, and Sammy Cahn—some of the greatest songwriters in American history—were already household names. And Richard and Robert Sherman were pitted against them in the Best Song category at the 1965 Academy Awards® ceremony. With such worthy competition, Richard Sherman later admitted, “We thought we’re never going to win it, but it would be kind of fun to go to the party. We put on our best clothes and went to the show.” But alas, while dressed in their evening finery, they won not only in the Best Song category for “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from Mary Poppins, but also the award for Best Musical Score. When the brothers placed their Oscars® on Walt’s desk the next day at the Studio, he said, “Well boys, you hit a home run but you had the bases loaded. Next time just try to to get on base.”
