Producer/Director:

Aviva Kempner

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
USA | 92 minutes Genre: Documentary Language: English

Screenings:

Harkins Crossroads 12 Chandler | Sun. Feb. 26th, 2012 | 3:00 PM

1929 - It was the best of time in the worst of times for the radio version of “The Goldbergs” to begin. The depressed American public immediately took this wonderful Jewish mother and her family into their homes and hearts. The program brought floods of letters with this typical shared sentiment: “The Goldbergs are to the mind what Pepsodent (the sponsor) is to the mouth - they both leave a clean, wholesome feeling not soon forgotten.” From 1929 through 1956 (film, Broadway, TV), the show, with both laughter and tears, disseminated ideas that called for tolerance and understanding. An early radio script set the tone: Mollie: “Nu, be a drimmer (dreamer)! Dat’s the secret.” For the Goldberg family that dream was not easily realized: the depiction of a rock through their window (“Passover Show” 1939) and the black listing and subsequent suicide of actor Philip Loeb (beloved husband Jake) entered their home. But Gertrude Berg, as Mollie, persevered in bringing to life an imagined cast of characters.

“Informative, Entertaining, and Heartwarming.”
- Sarah Appel-Lennon, San Diego, Jewish World

New York Times Critics’ Pick:
“So listen, America, to your big hearted Jewish mother”

Short Film

Chandler Crossroads 12

SELTZER WORKS (USA)

Director/Producer: Jessica Edwards

Documentary - 7 minutes, English

How often do we get treated to a truly bubbly film? A film that delivers—bottled, genuine seltzer. While it is effervescent fun, it is also cultural history of what was, for decades, the story of what is now almost gone. There were seltzer works, and delivery- men schlepping all over the country. The fizz is dying, as are generations of the faithful. So from the first frame you will thirst for more.

AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Film Festival, 2010 Selection

Toronto Film Festival, 2011

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg