Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg released on DVD August 24th, 2010

Hit Documentary Makes 2-Disc Special Edition DVD Debut

Also Available on VOD and Digitally via Download and Streaming Platforms

New York, NY – Before Rachael Ray, before Martha, even before Oprah and Lucy,… there was GERTRUDE BERG!  Humorous and captivating, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg is the eye-opening documentary about television pioneer Gertrude Berg, the entertainment genius and entrepreneur, who wrote, starred in and produced the first successful American sitcom, “The Goldbergs,” and charmed a beleaguered nation.  

 Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg struck a chord with audiences nationwide grossing over $1 million at the box office, securing a spot as one of the top 10 grossing documentaries of 2009 (Variety). Now the all-new extensive 2-disc special edition DVD can be brought home day and date with the VOD and digital release on August 24^th, 2010 from New Video’s documentary label, Docurama Films. 

 Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg traces Berg’s rise to stardom from her childhood in New York to her early radio days to her enormously influential sitcom, “The Goldbergs” (1949-56), which brought Berg the first Best Actress Emmy^® in history. Berg’s passion and incredible productivity paved the way for a wide variety of causes—women in entertainment, Jewish-American identity and actors’ rights, to name a few—but she is most celebrated for singlehandedly proving that the American family transcends social, religious and economic divisions. 

 Directed by Aviva Kempner, winner of the Peabody Award for The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg offers an astounding tribute to one of the most successful and innovative women in American broadcast history.  The astounding visual style of the film uses a dazzling collage of vintage clips, behind-the-scenes footage and intimate never before seen conversations with friends, colleagues and family.

“We’re delighted to be working closely with Aviva Kempner again, having collaborated with her on Partisans of Vilna,” said Mark Kashden, Vice President of Acquisitions, New Video.   “Aviva has a talent for taking on meaningful projects that truly speak to an audience, evident in the box office success of Yoo-Hoo.  We are excited to bring Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg to that audience in its next phase- home entertainment.”

“I am so excited to partner with Docurama Films on the DVD, VOD and digital release of Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg,” said writer, director, producer Aviva Kempner.  “Gertrude Berg inspired a nation during a time when people were yearning for something to look up to and it’s still relevant today.  The film’s wide availability across new media platforms and on DVD capsulate her long lasting legacy and will continue to inspire audiences for many years to come.”

The jam packed DVD includes interviews with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actor Ed Asner, producers Norman Lear (All in the Family) and Gary David Goldberg (Family Ties), and NPR correspondent Susan Stamberg, as well as early career appearances of Anne Bancroft and Steve McQueen.  The bonus features are chock-full with over two hours of material including an audio commentary with Aviva Kempner, episodes of “The Goldbergs” (including a surprising 1954 episode featuring Molly and Jake in the same bed together!), Gertrude Berg’s guest appearances with Edward R. Murrow and on Ed Sullivan, additional scenes and interviews, a Gertrude Berg recipe, an essay from the director and much, much more.

The deal was negotiated by Aviva Kempner on behalf of The Ciesla Foundation and New Video’s Vice President of Acquisitions Mark Kashden. 

For more information on Yoo-Hoo Mrs. Goldberg, please visit www.mollygoldbergfilm.org.