Mary Poppins Three Disc Soundtrack Being Released

So that how you spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, celebrates the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic films that have been enchanting audiences for generations.

The label honors one of the most celebrated and beloved soundtracks of all time with the 50th anniversary release of the Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Mary Poppins on August 26. The Mary Poppins collection features over 2 1/2 hours of content, including the original soundtrack, The Lost Chords - previously released demos and newly recorded versions, plus cast and filmmaker interviews and a collectible 20-page booklet.

Also included are excerpts from the historic "Mary Poppins" story meetings in 1961 with author P.L. Travers, as heard over closing credits of the critically acclaimed film "Saving Mr. Banks." Grammy(R) winning producer, Randy Thornton contributed extensive liner notes.

First released in 1964, the Mary Poppins original motion picture soundtrack featured 14 original songs by legendary Disney songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman.

The soundtrack was the #1 album for 14 consecutive weeks in 1965, maintaining the #1 position that year longer than the Beatles (Beatles' 65, Beatles VI, and the Help! soundtrack), Elvis Presley (Roustabout soundtrack), The Rolling Stones (Out of Our Heads) and The Sound of Music soundtrack.

"Mary Poppins" won five Oscars(R), two of which the Sherman brothers received for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" and the film's original musical score.

Showcasing the musical talents of Oscar-winning actress Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins), beloved actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke (Bert), British comedian David Tomlinson (Mr.

Banks) and the Sherman brothers, Disc One of The Legacy Collection Mary Poppins revisits unforgettable favorites such as "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Jolly Holiday."

The second disc features 8 pre-demo recordings, The Lost Chords tracks (7 demos and 7 newly recorded and fully orchestrated versions of those demos), plus liner notes by Randy Thornton and author Russell Schroeder. Over the last 20 years, Thornton has overseen the re-mastering, restoration and preservation of Disney's classic soundtracks.

Thornton explains The Lost Chords: "As part of The Legacy Collection we've included the composers' original demo recordings for seven songs intended for "Mary Poppins" - some dating from the earliest stages of the film's development.

In addition to these historic demos, we've had the unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with Richard Sherman to record and present these songs in a way they may have sounded if they remained part of the film - fully orchestrated versions we hope finally give voice to songs that have remained silent for 50 years."

Russell Schroeder provides an overview of The Lost Chords project as well as background on each song.

Schroeder worked as an artist for The Walt Disney Company for 29 years. In addition to Disney's Lost Chords Volumes 1 & 2, Russell authored several other books including Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide, and Mickey Mouse: My Life In Pictures.

The third disc of The Legacy Collection Mary Poppins begins with over 40 minutes of excerpts from the seminal story meetings between Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers, the Sherman brothers and screenwriter Don DaGradi as they discussed the original outline for the movie, including the music.

Also included is a 17-minute Hollywood Spotlight Microphone interview with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, the Sherman brothers and Irwin Kostal (who arranged the music for "Mary Poppins," "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music").

The third disc concludes with a 1989 interview with Richard and Robert Sherman as they discuss their work creating the magical music of "Mary Poppins."

The CD cover and 20-page booklet feature newly created artwork inspired by "Mary Poppins" from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios ("Tangled," "Winnie the Pooh," "Wreck-It Ralph").

Later this year, Bove's art can be seen in the hardcover book, Lovely: Ladies of Animation: The Art of Lorelay Bove, Brittney Lee, Claire Keane, Lisa Keene, Victoria Ying and Helen Chen.