The Walt Disney Company has honored the 60th anniversary of the iconic song “It’s a Small World” with the release of a poignant short film, “The Last Verse.”

The three-minute and 30-second film by adam&eveDDB will premiere as part of a two-hour documentary event on the American channel ABC. The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the founding of Walt Disney Studios Mary Poppins for which the Sherman Brothers received Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

“The Last Verse” not only pays homage to the enduring legacy of the Sherman brothers Richard and Robert, who composed the iconic song for “It’s a Small World,” but also introduces a brand new verse, Richard Sherman’s 60th Birthday wrote celebrated its anniversary and shared it with Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, in the summer of 2023.

“As legendary creators of some of the most cherished music of the past century, the Sherman brothers will be remembered for their profound influence on our global culture,” Iger said.

“Hearing Richard Sherman recite the final verse of ‘It’s a Small World’ before his death will be a moment I will remember forever. This beautiful short film is our tribute to their immense musical contributions, their memory and the countless memories they created for generations of people around the world.”

The unique short film takes viewers on a journey through the last 60 years of the song’s history, showcasing its influence on global pop culture and highlighting the various musical genres it has influenced.

Packed with rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film’s living legends, the film is a sweet reminder of the enduring, unique movie magic, irresistible songs and remarkable film scores that the Sherman brothers created and a heartfelt tribute to the late Richard Sherman , who died in May of this year.

Acclaimed 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 most recent honors include the AICP Awards for his work on Sandy Hook’s “Just Joking” and Dove’s “Cause.”

The Last Verse is a must-read for Disney enthusiasts and theme park lovers of all ages. From the Swinging 60s to today, the film captivates audiences with its depiction of the song’s evolution over the decades. Whether you lived through that era or just appreciate the magic of Disney, this film is sure to delight you.

The short film will be available to stream on Disney+, YouTube and social media starting November 28th.

Credits:

Disney

President, Disney Entertainment, Studio Marketing and Chief Brand Officer: Asad Ayaz
SVP, Brand Management: Joanna Balikian
Vice President, Brand Marketing: Mallory Wang
Director, Brand Marketing: Tim Pennoyer
Senior Manager, Brand Marketing: Jenise Fretz
EVP, Marketing: Frank Chiocchi
Vice President, Creative Director: Joshua Dunn
Executive Producer: Paige Bonanno

Creative:
Creative agency: adam&eveDDB NY & London
Chief Creative Officer: Rick Brim
Creative: Gaby Grant
Creative: Jane Barker
Joint Production Manager/Producer: Nikki Cramphorn
Assistant producer: Catarina van Leuven
Managing Director: James Rowe
Managing Director: Traci Feller
Managing Director: Erin Brogan
Head of Business Affairs: Matthew Friday
Managing Director: Layla Husted
Legal advisor: Tom Campbell
General legal advice: Candice Macleod

Directed by: Henry Alex Rubin
Film production company: Smugglers
Cameraman: Mathieu Plainfosse
Executive Producer: Tom Knight
Producer: Ray Leakey
Offline editing house: meeting room
Online post-production: selected works
Color class company: company 3
Music: Soundtree Music
Audio studio: 750 miles per hour
Overseas service company: Tickle