What does a fictional character from a 1964 film have to do with COVID-19?
Well, thanks to my wife, I learned what that connection is – the classic song A Spoonful of Sugar.
Earlier this week, Jeffrey Sherman, the son and nephew of the Sherman Brothers—the musical duo responsible for “Mary Poppins,” as well as many other Disney films, told the story of how “A Spoonful of Sugar” came about on Facebook:
Here’s part of his post:
When I was a kid, they rolled out a vaccine for polio. We were given it at school on a sugar cube. I went home and my dad, who was working on Mary Poppins, asked how my day was.
What I didn’t know was that Julie Andrews who was hired to play Mary had not really liked the song my dad and uncle had written -“Through the Eyes of Love” – and it was rejected. It was their favorite song for the movie.
Walt asked the Sherman Brothers to come up with a new song that would be in line with Mary’s //Julie’s philosophy.
Dad asked me how my day was and I told him about getting the polio vaccine at school.
I was known for rejecting the booster shots at my doctors’ office and running away.
He said, “ Didn’t it hurt?””
“I told him they put it on a sugar cube and you just ate it.
He stared at me, then went to the phone and called my uncle Dick.
They went back to the office and wrote -“A Spoonful of Sugar” (Helps the Medicine Go Down.”)
It’s my little corner of film music history I suppose. Inadvertently.”
I just don’t know why the song wasn’t called A Cubeful of Sugar…
So perhaps the magic and power of Disney marketing could be used to get people to take the COVID-19 vaccine once it is available and deemed safe. Maybe a free download of Mary Poppins for everyone who gets vaccinated. Or a free month of Disney +…
Ahh! Always liked Mary Poppins and that song! I remember hearing that about the polio vsccine. I have no problem taking spoonfuls of sugar! 🙂 You know what they say, girls are made of sugar and spice!
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It’s a great backstory. And that little ditty about girls and sugar and spice makes boys sound pretty disgusting…
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Haha! They aren’t disgusting. 🙂
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At least not most of them 🙂
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Well yeah, there may be some…! 🙂
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😀
And happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day. I’m still trying to squeeze this beach house into the greeting card I bought you… 🙂 There may be a slight delay.
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Thanks Jim and LOL!!
You are trying to squeeze in a picture of the luxurious beach house , that is waiting for me, right? I can wait. 🙂
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Think in terms of decades, at a minimum 🙂
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Well gosh! How patient of a person do you think I am! I would like to enjoy the beach house before having to use a walker you know!
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Did you get a walker for your birthday? 🙂
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Haha
No, but I haven’t got together yet with the friend that I gave a walker too, sooo….! Who knows what is up her sleeve!.
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That walker may be regifted 😀
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I am boping it got lost! I did already get one gift re-gifted! The nerve of people! LOL!
Its a stuffed chicken that says “You are No Spring Chicken!”
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So if someone gives me a beach house I’ll be sure not to regift it to you… 🙂
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Heyyyy…. No! That’s not how it works, smart aleck. I see that your wit was not harmed at all by your time off. LOL!
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Unfortunately it didn’t get any better either😀
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LOL! That’s a good thing. 🙂
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🙂
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I grew up with Mary Poppins. Great memory! 🎶😊🌟
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I think I liked it as a child but when I saw it as an adult it didn’t seem as enjoyable…
But this is a classic song.
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Alright then, I’ll take the vaccine if it’s in a sugar cube. Hell, I’ll do anything for sugar.
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And maybe a month of Disney+
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These backstories are so fascinating. It makes sense, although I had never thought of it before.
When I was still teaching, our school was utilized as a place where children could be vaccinated for the Swine Flu. Kids were bused over from other nearby schools. I remember when it was my class’s turn, and right when we got to the library (where the vaccinations were happening), a kid from another class came out screaming bloody murder. These little faces of my students looked up at me with sudden distrust. Horrible feeling!
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That sounds like it could go south real fast. So how did you calm them down?
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I wish I worked some magic, but I really didn’t. I had just finished telling them that I had received the vaccination the day before and that it didn’t hurt much when the other child begged to differ. Perfect timing!
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I remember that cube of sugar and used to love Mary Poppins…Thank you for the memories it certainly did sweeten the jab…a bit sneaky though…lol …as if us parents do anything like that…
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Parents can be devious 🙂
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I know… Haha.. Many times.. Hehe
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That is amazing how the song came about!
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It is a fascinating backstory
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You have to be very creative to instantly get a song out of that story. Very interesting.
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Yes, that was creativity at its best.
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I didn’t know that story, but I will have that tune stuck in my head for the rest of the day now!
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It’s a great story, and a catchy tune!
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How interesting, Jim. Mary Poppins is one of my favourite children’s musicals, along with the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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Lots of creativity and imagination in both of those musicals!
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I think it would be a great idea to bring in Disney’s marketing department when it is time to administer the vaccine. We need to help people become comfortable with receiving the vaccine if we have any hope of it accomplishing the herd immunity we are hoping for. We should call Amazon too. They can sell anything! Maybe we should sell it on Prime. I loved this story! From a conversation with his son, the pair go on to write one of the most recognizable songs there is. Great post Jim!
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Thanks Brad! Yes, Disney for marketing an Amazon for distribution. What a powerful combination!
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i remember the sugar cube vaccine so well and thought it was brilliant! i love the story of the song, one never knows where and when inspiration will hitz1
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And to go from inspiration to song in such a short time Is incredible.
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Sometimes it’s like lightning
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I read about this a few days ago too. didn’t know she was a fictional character 🙂
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😀
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What a neat little story. I feel like all I need to feel better is hearing Julie sing. Any song, ever. 🕊
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I agree. I think she is one of the best voices ever if not THE best.
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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A great story. But would it be ok if I got a grown up movie and a month of Apple TV+ instead, please?
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I prefer a different movie as well…
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I actually knew this and lots of other interesting details about how the movie was finally made thanks to this “magazine” my daughter gifted me. Also I loved the movie Saving Mr. Banks.
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I actually knew this and lots of other interesting details about how the movie was finally made thanks to this LIFE “magazine” my daughter gifted me. Also I loved the movie Saving Mr. Banks.
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What a cool gift! And I can’t remember if I’ve seen Saving Mr. Banks. But it sounds like I should take a look at it.
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The backstory is interesting. The polio vaccine was definitely easier to take than some others.
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Easier than getting a shot!
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Definitely!
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I never knew this but what a great tidbit to know! I love Mary Poppins and this song!! Now I will be singing this song all day!!!
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Thank you for sharing this, Jim.
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Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story!
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The magic of Mary Poppins continues to this day. Kudos to so many talented people who brought this timeless story to the big picture show.
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it is a classic story…
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Yes indeed,, I recall those sugar cubes. Tasty…and vaccine friendly.
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too bad that it seems you can’t take the new vaccine that way…
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Maybe the clinic can hand out candy bars after the jab in the arm?
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seems like a good idea; sort of like what you get when you give blood…
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A bit of positive reinforcement never hurt.
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