Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

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walter m "Yoo-Hoo, Mrs, Goldberg" is a charming and informative documentary about Getrude Berg, nee Tilly Edelstein, who was not only the star of "The Goldbergs," an immensely popular sitcom that originated on the radio, but also wrote the scripts in the days before word processors and computers with bad handwriting that puts my atrocious handwriting to shame.(One interviewee refers to her as the Oprah of her time.) What's especially noteworthy about "The Goldbergs" is that it is the prototypical family sitcom, influencing many sitcoms in the years to come.(Norman Lear is on hand to testify to this.) Although, to be honest, any television series that lasts for any period of time will have rising stars passing through at some point. "The Goldbergs" not only has an important place in television history but also in the current events of the times by presenting a Jewish family in New York City without stereotypes in a time of growing anti-semitism in the 1930's. And the television program would be adversely affected by the Blacklist of the 1950's, despite its huge popularity. Sadly enough, "The Goldbergs" has faded somewhat from memory as it has not found a new audience with younger generations which hopefully this fine documentary helps to rectify. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A fair docudrama on the career of Gertrude Berg, who was star of The Goldbergs radio show and later TV series. She not only starred in but wrote all of the scripts from radio days onto TV days and set the way for the family situation comedies we would come to know after like I Love Lucy and Dick Van Dyke, etc...Gertrude paved the way. Interviews with those that worked with her as well as family members and others in the entertainment industry. If you can remember those days or have an interesti in radio or tv history, you will likely enjoy this. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member one of the best documentaries this year. how many people remember watching every week? Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member An informative documentary about Gertrude Berg, the writer, actress, and creator of The Goldbergs, a pioneering family sitcom on radio and then television, forerunner of many more famous ones to come, including 'Seinfeld' and Norman Lear's work. It was an urban sitcom set in the Bronx; late in its run, the setting was moved to the suburbs like the other family sitcoms, whereupon the show apparently became much less interesting. The movie explains the show's relevance and impact as well as the society it reflected, including the very sad story of a lead actor who was blacklisted in the Red Scare despite attempts by Berg and company to keep him employed. Berg was quite popular in her time and pretty influential. A good look at the life and legacy of a largely forgotten figure in entertainment. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review john w Revelatory documentary about a television pioneer without whom we would probably not have the sort of entertainment we have today. A great blend of talking heads (not too many), kinescope footage and exemplary editing contribute to a fascinating tale of a woman who worked hard, but whose unwavering loyalty led to her professional demise. Though it gets just a bit draggy in its final third, it's a real find -- and despite a few pacing missteps, it's never less than completely compelling. You'll wonder how it's possible you never heard of this stunningly gifted woman who was, as one interviewee says, "the Oprah Winfrey of her day." Strongly recommended! Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Many associate Lucille Ball as the first woman of TV comedy - they are wrong - decades before Gertrude Berg paved the way for women on TV as well the modern day sitcom. Never heard of her? - neither had I. The docu from acclaimed filmmaker Aviva Kempner, tells the story of her start on radio just as the Depression hit America. Her down-home, good nature won over audiences & even had Roosevelt to proclaim "I didn't end the Depression, Gertrude Berg did!". From radio to TV, her popularity lasted for decades until the 1950's when her show was forced off the air. The title refers to her character being called to the window from a voice across the way "Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" - somebody needed her motherly advice & attention. Though her character is portrayed as sweet & nurturing, off screen, Berg was tough & demanding - a perfectionist. When she was on the radio & it called for Mrs. Goldberg to be fixing eggs, she would fry up eggs while the live performance was going on (she wrote all the scripts daily & picked up inspiration by walking around her mostly Jewish neighbourhood in the Bronx.) The film has a variety of talking heads (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Norman Lear, etc.) & Berg showcased rising talents like Steve McQueen & Anne Bancroft. An enjoyable, brisk 90 min. docu which enlightened me to an era long since forgotten. It would be nice to have a Mrs. Goldberg to call out to today - but instead, we get the fist pumping Snookie's & reality TV starlets to be this generation's role models. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

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