2009, USA
Biography, Documentary, Drama, History, TV
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Extended version:
Gertrude Berg and her alter ego Molly Goldberg may be unfamiliar to younger generations, but her influence and effect cast a wide net. In Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, director Aviva Kempner delves into the history of this early Oprah who made her mark in radio, television and the stage and refused to water down her beliefs while doing so.
Though the documentary explores minute details that would be more interesting to a family reunion than the average audience, Berg's tale is surprising in that it is not better known. The New Yorker followed her dreams of becoming an actress, and in the process added writer and producer to her many hyphenates. With the launch of her radio program, "The Rise of the Goldbergs," she presented a close-knit family never more than a holler away from their neighbors. As the Depression swallowed the nation, her program presented an outlook of appreciation for the little things.
The show would become only second in popularity to "Amos and Andy" where white actors portrayed racist stereotypes of black characters, with the irony of the "Goldbergs" having Jewish actors portraying Jewish characters. As the program entered the '30s and an era filled with particular anti-Semitic sentiment, Berg managed to incorporate her religion into the show with pride while simultaneously conveying the idea of a happy American family who just happened to be Jewish.
In 1949, the show changed mediums as it became one of television's first situation comedies, "The Goldbergs." Berg continued to slip important messages of education, family and patriotism into an entertaining format, and earned the first ever Best Actress Emmy for her portrayal of the lovable Molly.
Berg proved herself as a strong woman on and off the small screen, not only for her incredible work ethic but for standing by her fellow actors. An absorbing focus of the film falls to the story of her fellow actor Philip Loeb, who played her husband in the show. A champion of the Actors Equity Association, he fought for fairness in the union and helped established such standards as rehearsal pay. Yet, for all his good efforts, his career and life were ruined when he was blacklisted through Communist accusations in the Red Channels pamphlet. Berg stood by his side at the risk of her own career.
For reasons such as this, Berg deserves this careful dedication. Not only was she a phenomenal, progressive businesswoman but her ethics and conviction were unwavering -- impressive for her time or any time. The film may have benefited from a tighter focus, but Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg does well to exhibit such an inspirational life.