Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

Movie: Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

I saw it on: August 30, 2009

Director: Aviva Kempner

Runtime: 92

Genre: Documentary, Biography

MPAA Rating: NR

Synopsis: Gertrude Berg was one of the true pioneers of radio and television. Her father ran a resort in the Catskills.  When she was growing up, Gertrude would write skits to entertain guests at her father’s resort.  As an adult, Gertrude took one of the her skit-characters, expanded it and convinced NBC radio to air it.  It was ultimately called “The Goldbergs” and was about a poor Jewish family living in a Brooklyn apartment house.  In one of the earliest network talent raids, CBS radio hired Gertrude away from NBC and added her to their radio network.  Gertrude wrote, produced and starred in every episode.

In 1949 she convinced CBS to try it as a TV show – which she wrote, produced and starred in.  She won the very first Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy.  Gertrude was truly “The Queen of Comedy” before Lucy came on the scene.

The movie follows Gertrude’s life and career as she conquers first radio and then television and later Broadway (where she wins a Tony).  Her career and TV show takes a bad turn when she runs into McCarthyism and one of the actor’s in her series is blacklisted.  She bounces back, but is never quite the same.

 

My two cents: A fascinating movie.  I had heard of “The Goldbergs”, but really knew nothing of the show.  Gertrude was a truly amazing woman – especially for her time.  Without her groundbreaking efforts with”The Golbergs”, Lucy might never have made it.  In the 50’s, this woman was writing, directing and starring in a TV series – and later did the same thing for a movie.

This movie also gives those of us who don’t remember (or are too young)  an idea of the terrible and devastating effect Joseph McCarthy and his committee had on the acting community.  Careers and lives were ruined just by having their names mentioned by McCarthy – and without any proof of wrong-doing.  Gertrude was courageous in her efforts to fight the effects of McCarthyism.

This movie is a must-see for anyone with the slightest interest in the history of radio and television broadcasting.