Todd Pierce Presentation
Please join us for a lecture from scholar Todd James Pierce, the author of Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film. Todd will share stories of the Sherman brothers' unusual career journeys. Each man’s journey was marked by career changes, and each moved away from early professional dreams. However, those changes ultimately helped them both quite a bit and eventually led them to Disney Legend status as the songwriting duo behind some of the most beloved show tunes of all time, not only for Mary Poppins, but other Disney classics such as The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and The Parent Trap.
Listen: Behind the Scenes of Mary Poppins.
Todd James Pierce joins the Connecting with Walt team to discuss his new book and creative process of the classic 1964 film.
Following the presentation, please join us for light appetizers and a special meet-and-greet with our guest speaker.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
This event is free.
Registration closes Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Event Location:
James R. Connor University Center
Driving Directions
Parking
Parking permits are required on all vehicles parked on campus at all times, except 5:00 p.m. Fridays to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays (unless special events are being held on campus). More information on parking is on the Visitor Center website.
Meet The Speaker: Todd James Pierce
Todd James Pierce is a renowned Disney historian and a professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, who specializes in telling the "real" stories behind movie magic. His most recent book, Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film, takes readers behind the scenes of the 1964 masterpiece to explore the unique partnership between Walt Disney and the legendary Sherman Brothers.
Through years of research and interviews with the people who were actually there, Todd reveals the challenges and triumphs that went into creating the film, including the famous creative clashes with author P.L. Travers. As a popular author and the host of the Disney History Institute podcast, Todd is known for his engaging storytelling and his ability to bring Hollywood history to life for fans of all ages.
