As "Street Gang; How We got to Sesame Street" (2021 release; 106 min.) opens, it is "New York CIty, 1981", and we get a glimpse of the program being produced: there is Joan Cooney, who came up with the idea in the mid-60s for a kids shows aimed at the underprivileged inner-city (read; mostly Black) kids aged 3 to 5, and Jon Stone, the director who is determined to not talk down to kids or, worse--selling stuff to kids (cereal, toys, etc.). And then there are the main puppeteers, Jim Henson and Frank Oz, whose talents are obvious... At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary.
Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Marilyn Agrelo, who seemingly is given unfettered access to the Sesame Street achieve footage and "street gang" (i.e. The production staff and performers). There are some interesting titbits in this documentary: first and foremost, the active political considerations that went into it. Cooney was actively involved in the civil rights movement and very much aware of social, economic, and educational inequality and wanted to do something about it. Second, the first year budget for this was a staggering $8+ million ($54 in today's money),for an upstart, educational show aimed at disadvantaged kids. Amazing. Along the way we get tons of memorable clips, in particular from the early years (late 60's and early 70s). I never paid attention to Sesame Street until my kids were 3-5 yrs. In the early 90s. I thought is was terrific then. Bottom line: this documentary is well worth checking out.
"Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to immediate acclaim. It got a select Us theatrical release in the Spring, and just recently started streaming on HBO Max, where I caught it. If you have any interest in Sesame Street, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
2021
Action / Documentary / Family / History
Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street
2021
Action / Documentary / Family / History
Keywords: puppets
Plot summary
Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street takes us inside the minds and hearts of the Sesame Street creators, artists, writers, and educators who, together established one of the most influential programs in television history. In late 1960s, Joan Ganz Cooney, a socially conscious female television executive was working in the fledgling world of public television. She was asked by friend Lloyd Morrisett Jr., who worked for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and who specialized in the psychological studies of pre-school children, to take on revolutionary experiment. Could Joan create a children's show that would "master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them?" Inspired by the civil rights movement, Joan and Lloyd took this experiment one step further and began to envision using the new medium of television to educate all children, and specifically reach America's "inner city" children to help close the educational gap that systemic racism and poverty had created. It was the right project, at the right time, and she needed the right group of people to make it happen. To harness the burgeoning power of television and create an educational, impactful, and entertaining show that could reach children nationwide. Cooney recruited visionary Muppets creator Jim Henson and acclaimed children's television writer and director Jon Stone to craft the iconic and uplifting world of what became Sesame Street. Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street focuses on the first two experimental and groundbreaking decades of Sesame Street, highlighting this visionary "gang." With interviews with the original surviving creators, and their families, we hear and see how "the gang" came together. They share stories of the challenges and stumbling blocks involved to create the show and its iconic characters, and also speak to confronting boundaries that came their way with unflinching purpose. All with a wicked sense of humor, and pure joy. The gang knew that they were part of something that was special, critically important, and bigger than themselves. Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street reintroduces the world to Joan's gang. With exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and original cast and creator interviews, audiences will meet the people that audaciously interpreted radical changes in society and engaged children in ways that entertained and educated them like never before. Now is the perfect time to tell the story of the show's origins and inspire people to use purpose, and the power of creativity, to make a positive impact in our world.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Insightful look back a the beginnings of Sesame Street
A great idea and the people that believed
Sesame Street is an institution nowadays, but it wasn't an easy sell. This is that story, how one person (Joan Ganz Cooney) saw the TV as an opportunity to bring education to the disadvantaged . . . With the help of Muppets.
And it's a moving one. The filmmakers highlight the key personnel involved in the crafting of the show; sure, Jim Henson is a star player, but I loved seeing his dynamic with Frank Oz (real life Bert and Ernie! ) and it hasn't been touched on on the docs I've seen up to this point. Even more so the coverage of Joe Raposo, the man behind all of our favorite songs.
This is a thoughtful, honest work that hit me right in the solar plexus; and such positivity is ever fleeting in this world.
Street Knowledge
I have seen a few Documentaries on S2. Most have focused on JH or particular cast members. This is the first I have seen about the people who created the show.
It shows how the creators decided on inclusion. While other shows only had white cast members and guests, S2 made sure every child could recognize themselves in one form or fashion.
It also showed the push back for non inclusive people and places. As well as the blinding effects of what tobacco and alcohol marketing was having on children of the 60's.
This is a great legacy piece that showcases the care and joy that went into many of our most vivid pre-teen memories.