'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: Would You Be Mine'
(Fred Rogers / 4-Disc DVD / NR / 2019 / PBS)
Overview: Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Please won't you be my neighbor!
Stroll down memory lane with this four-disc set featuring 30 iconic episodes from the beloved children's series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, hand-selected by Fred Rogers Productions.
DVD Verdict: For those not completely in the know, and so just to bring you up to date a wee bit, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was an American half-hour educational children's television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers.
The series originated in 1963 as Mister Rogers on CBC Television, and was later re-branded in 1966 as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on the regional Eastern Educational Network (EEN, a forerunner of today's American Public Television).
The national U.S. debut occurred on February 19, 1968, and it aired on NET and its successor, PBS, until August 31, 2001. The series is aimed primarily at preschool ages 2 to 5, but has been stated by PBS as "appropriate for all ages".
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was produced by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania public broadcaster WQED and Rogers' non-profit production company Family Communications, Inc., previously known as Small World Enterprises prior to 1971; the company was renamed The Fred Rogers Company after Rogers' death.
In May 1997, the series surpassed Captain Kangaroo as the longest-running children's television series, a record the series held until July 2002, when Sesame Street beat Mister Rogers' record.
Now having been made into a major motion picture movie starring Tom Hanks as the loveable Mister Rogers himself, this brand new 4-Disc DVD collection 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: Would You Be Mine' celebrates the worldly love of the beloved series.
Showcasing 30 classic episodes from 1979-2000, we all gleefully watch as Mister Rogers helps children learn the importance of being kind to others, appreciating what makes everyone unique and oh so much more.
In truth, Mister Fred Rogers did what few artists have done in the history of mankind - strengthened and supported his audience so profoundly and so generously that he became a transformative force in their lives.
I myself feel fortunate to have learned from him. In all too many homes, Mister Rogers was, and still is the only voice of understanding, gentleness and positive reinforcement.
Imagine how different our world would be if more young people could be exposed to his philosophy of acceptance and love.
There are so many children who never hear their parents say the words "I love you" - not once, not ever. And then they hear Mister Rogers sing of all the ways people say "I love you," like "the cooking way" and "the eating way," and it's a comfort and reassurance beyond words.
No other public figure provides this kind of life-changing insight to the people most in need. Thus, on behalf of everyone you helped, of all the souls you touched in a badly damaged world, Mister Rogers we thank you, and we love you too.
With all the aforementioned 30 episodes of the classic series spread over nearly 15 hours of happiness, there will never be another Mister Rogers. He didn't want to sell the kids things, he didn't expect them to be cool, and he didn't want to replace their parents.
He just wanted to be their neighbor.
This is a Full Screen Presentation (1.33:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes complete with English Subtitles.
www.PBSkids.org