DVD Review: Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg - Page 2

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg includes interviews with some of the surviving cast members, insights on the dark days of McCarthyism (and sad stories about its effects), and a tremendous amount of archival footage and photos of the show, the woman behind the show and her family, and a variety of movies from the '20s and '30s (including the Marx Brothers). Some of the interviewees, like Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Norman Lear, are famous, some have faded from memory, all attest to the remarkable influence Gertrude Berg had on television.

Disc one extra features are a director’s commentary and trailer for the documentary. Disc two bonus features are “The Goldbergs,” tales about Gertrude Berg and some of the other actors on The Goldbergs — friends, relatives, fans, and coworkers — share memories of the show and those involved;  "Gertrude’s Legacy", a collection of clips in which the interviewees discuss Berg’s impact on the television industry and on a personal level; "Episodes" (excerpts and episodes), the highlight of the bonus disc; "Guest Appearances," in which Berg appears on Person to Person, with Steve Allen, and on The Ed Sullivan Show; “Aviva’s Goodies,” including a short on the Gore/Lieberman election ballot problems, Kempner Family outtakes, and the erection of a billboard for Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg; “Filmmaker Bio”; “About Docurama”; and “Credits.” Aviva Kempner is the director of Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg.

Bottom Line: Would I buy/rent/stream Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg? Yes, it’s an entertaining look into television’s (and the business of entertainment, in general) history. The two-disc set is scheduled for release August 24.

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