Download Our App XoStream

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

2021

Action / Documentary / Family / History

4
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh95%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright95%
IMDb Rating8.0101054

puppets

Plot summary


Uploaded by: FREEMAN

Top cast

Lena Horne Photo
Lena Horne as Self
Madeline Kahn Photo
Madeline Kahn as Self
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
981.8 MB
1280*714
English 2.0
PG
23.976 fps
1 hr 46 min
P/S 1 / 4
1.97 GB
1920*1072
English 5.1
PG
23.976 fps
1 hr 46 min
P/S 2 / 8

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by paul-allaer7 / 10

Insightful look back a the beginnings of Sesame Street

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.

Reviewed by Mr-Fusion8 / 10

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.

Reviewed by ThatMonkey8 / 10

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.

Read more IMDb reviews