Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Goldberg (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:60
Fresh:55
Rotten:5
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Equal parts edification and entertainment, Kempner's tender tribute to a forgotten pioneer of American entertainment is both richly deserved and long overdue.
Theatrical Release:Jul 10, 2009 Limited
Box Office: $722,545
Synopsis: For more than 25 years, Gertrude Berg was one of the most beloved figures in American pop culture as the creator, writer, producer, and star of THE GOLDBERGS--first on radio (where it was... For more than 25 years, Gertrude Berg was one of the most beloved figures in American pop culture as the creator, writer, producer, and star of THE GOLDBERGS--first on radio (where it was originally known as THE RISE OF THE GOLDBERGS) and then on television. Berg, who was best known to the public in the identity of her character, Molly Goldberg, occupied a unique niche in the fabric of American life: throughout the 1930s, she and Eleanor Roosevelt competed annually in polls for the title of most prominent woman in America. Berg was called The First Lady of Radio at a time when radio was king; later on, in the television era, she invented the family sitcom as we came to know it, and did battle against the Red Scare and the Hollywood blacklist. Director Aviva Kempner's documentary gives an intimate and detailed a look at the life of Berg, who died in 1966 virtually forgotten by the executives of the industry that she helped build. In the process, Kempner explains how this woman--an articulate and intelligent first-generation Jewish-American with little formal background in writing and no knowledge of the media--rose to such success in just a few years, and why she was forgotten and swept aside almost as quickly at the other end of her career. Participants and interviewees include such admirers as producer Norman Lear, actor Edward Asner, and United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. [More]
Director: Aviva Kempner
Director: Aviva Kempner
Studio: International Film Circuit Inc.
Reviews for Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
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It is only in the sequence about Berg's popular costar Philip Loeb that Aviva Kempner's documentary resonates. Full Review |
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A remarkable story, all the more remarkable for the era in which it happened, an era when most women had almost no opportunities to become famous, rich and powerful. Gertrude Berg not only triumphed during this time, she was the Oprah Winfrey of her time. Full Review |
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Yoo-Hoo suggests that, yes, Berg broke new ground and, no, she shouldn't be forgotten. But it doesn't explain why she endured, or why she is so forgotten today. Full Review |
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It’s puzzling that a paean to Gertrude Berg’s Jewish New York housewife, Mrs. Goldberg -- a character so beloved and enduring that she could serve as a travel guide through early-to-mid–20th-century history -- could fall so flat. Full Review |
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No matter the accomplishments during her lifetime, Gertrude Berg remains an integral part of the modern media's formation. Thankfully, we now have a permanent testament to how important - and irresistible - she was. Full Review |
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Stylistically unpretentious but highly informative and enjoyable documentary [on] one of radio's great stars and a television pioneer. Full Review |
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Stylistically, Aviva Kempner's documentary is no ground-breaker. But its old-school talking-heads/narration/footage format suits its subject matter, and the remarkable story needs no window dressing. Full Review |
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Charming. Full Review |
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History has been unfair to Berg, a fact that filmmaker Aviva Kempner hopes to correct with this illuminating documentary. Full Review |
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Kempner did her homework in restoring from obscurity this trailblazing sitcom pioneer. The film is well-organized and filled with interesting trivia tidbits. Full Review |
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Kempner marshals an impressive lineup of both Berg and Goldberg fans to underscore the irrefutable significance of her subject. Full Review |
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It's absolutely charming to be reminded of -- or, in most cases, introduced to -- Berg and her particular genius. But too much of the film is too light. Full Review |
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The real kick comes from seeing the stars of yesteryear in grainy film stock. Full Review |
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This was a very informative documentary that is told with a subtle passion. I found it very warm and welcoming. If you have interest in entertainment history, this is a must see! Full Review |
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... a good introduction to Gertrude Berg for those who have never heard of her and a pleasant journey down nostalgia lane for those who grew up with her shows. Full Review |
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It's delightful, if a mite sketchy. Full Review |
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Aviva Kempner's documentary Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg is a delightful introduction to Berg, who began writing and performing skits at her father's resort hotel in the Catskill Mountains, then studied drama at Columbia University. Full Review |
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We're left with an impression of a vivacious pioneer; but warm shouldn't have to mean fuzzy. Full Review |
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In Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, Kempner gives us a balance of artist and alter ego, introducing us to a woman we'd like to know even better. Full Review |
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Although not forgotten in the broadcast history books, Berg's immense impact on mid-twentieth century American popular culture needs a fresh examination. Full Review |
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