“Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe,” has debuted at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. It will also be featured here in Halifax at The International Atlantic Film Festival.
The film uses some old footage from the “Mr. Dressup” series of more than 4,000 episodes, which ran on CBC for 29 years, as well as interviews with family members, former castmates and Canadian celebrities.
The documentary also includes home videos that flashback to the life and legacy of the American-born Ernie Coombs, aka Mr. Dressup, who passed away in Toronto at age 73.
One of the neat aspects of Ernie Coombs’ life that the filmmakers shed some light on was his very close relationship with fellow American children’s performer Fred Rogers aka Mr. Rogers.
The two may be thought of as as competitors, when in reality they were the best of friends and collaborators, as both of them came to Canada to get their start at CBC in the early 1960s.
Check out some great memories here:
My sons both grew up watching Mr. Dress Up and me too! Casey and Finnigan were like my best buds growing up!
“Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe” will be available on Prime Video starting on October 10th.
I can’t wait to see the new doc!
-Ian
