Before his death in May, songwriter Richard M. Sherman’s final gig for Disney was to write a new, bonus verse for “It’s A Small World.” Now, a new ABC special is set to unveil that verse for the first time.
In “The Last Verse,” a three-and-a-half-minute short film airing next Wednesday on ABC, the new addition will be revealed for the first time. The film will air during ABC News Studios‘ “The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20,” which airs Wednesday, Nov. 27 on ABC.
According to ABC News, “in the spirit of the beloved song, viewers will journey across the globe as the song is passed from person to person and generation to generation, culminating in the reveal of this heartfelt new verse.
Sherman, who wrote the songs for “Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and also “It’s a Small World” with his brother Robert, died in May at 95. But he had written the new verse before his death.
“The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20” is part of a two-night event ABC has scheduled to mark the 60th anniversary of “Mary Poppins.” The special, which airs Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. ET, on ABC, features rare photos, footage and new interviews with star Dick Van Dyke, as well as Josh Gad, John Stamos, Lin Manuel Miranda, two of Walt Disney’s grandchildren, and what’s being billed as a “special interview” with star Julie Andrews.
The next night, on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28), ABC is running a “Wonderful World of Disney” presentation of the original “Mary Poppins” film starring Andrews and Van Dyke.
“The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20” is produced by ABC News Studios and “20/20.” It comes from exec producer Matt Lombardi, senior EP David Sloan and “20/20” EP Janice Johnston. Here’s a sneak peek of the new verse:
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