iHeartRadio
Choose your station
Instagram
103535
Sms*

VIFF Film Review - Mr Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe (2023)

Still image of Ernie Coombs as Mr Dressup with his puppet pals Casey and Finnegan

If you grew up in Canada throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, you probably know the name Mr. Dressup. Ernie Coombs was a children’s entertainer and beloved Canadian icon whose CBC program, Mr. Dressup, ran for 30 years and 4000 episodes. There’s a new documentary "Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe", covering his life and legacy that you can catch at the upcoming Vancouver International Film Festival.

I didn’t know that Ernie Coombs was American born and got his start working in children’s theatre. In Pittsburg he began working at WQED and that’s where he met Fred Rogers and became a member of the cast of Children’s Corner. CBC was the first network in North America to create a children’s department solely focused on television programs for kids. When Fred Rogers was offered a job at CBC with complete creative control, he brought his dear friend Ernie along to work on his new show Misterogers. When Fred Rogers moved back to the United States he recommended Ernie to be the next to create his very own children’s show on CBC.

“Mr. Dressup has brought imagination to the nation.”

It was really neat to see how Mr. Dressup’s show was developed. In an interview Ernie exclaims that he’s “a child at heart” and he really wanted his program to be accessible to all children. That’s why the crafts his did were simple, with items that could be found in anyone’s home, like toilet paper rolls. And who could forget the wonders of the Tickle Trunk, his delightful drawings and his puppet friends, especially the dear Casey and Finnegan. The character of Casey was purposely non-gendered so any child could see themselves in Casey.

Within the documentary there are many cameos from Canadian celebrities including the Bare Naked Ladies, Michael J Fox, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Andrew Phung from Kim’s Convenience and many more. It’s really touching to see how many people got emotional talking about how Mr. Dressup impacted their childhood. I myself also got choked up watching the documentary as Ernie Coombs reminded me a lot of my grandfather and the show meant a lot to me. I even named my cats after Casey and Finnegan.

Grab a few tissues cause this one’s going to get you right in the feels. Mr Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe is full of nostalgia and a beautiful tribute to a Canadian gem.

Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe is screening at the 42nd Vancouver International Film Festival which runs September 28 – October 8.

Tickets and info at viff.org

 

  • Still image of Sasha and Paul looking at each other in Sasha's bedroom from the film Humanist Vampire Seeking Consensual Suicidal Person

    VIFF Film Review - Humanist Vampire (2023)

    Meet Sasha, the world’s most compassionate young vampire. Her family is at their wits’ end with her reluctance to embrace their lethal traditions. When her clan decides to cut off her supply to push her out of her comfort zone, she’s forced to get resourceful.
  • Still image of Indigenous children

    VIFF Film Review - WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) (2023)

    For generations, the suffering of residential school survivors has radiated outward, impacting Indigenous families and communities. Dr. Koostachin’s deeply personal documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) moves beyond intergenerational trauma, with an invitation to unravel the tangled threads of silence and unite in collective freedom and power.
  • Still image of Dr Gabor Mate for the documentary Physician, Heal Thyself

    VIFF Film Review - Physician, Heal Thyself (2023)

    In Asher Penn’s Physician, Heal Thyself Dr Maté shares not only his theories, but also his personal story. Physician, Heal Thyself offers hope and comfort, encouraging us to own our failings, share our struggles, and accept our imperfections.
  • Image of the lead character using a long stick to fix one of the letters on the outdoor sign of his pub, the Old Oak, that is falling down.

    VIFF Film Review - The Old Oak (2023)

    In a town in the north of England, TJ and his family pub are hanging on by a thread. When an influx of Syrian refugees stokes xenophobic backlash, he’s ready to step up and help the newcomers as best he can.
  • Still image from the film Alice, Darling starring (left to right) Wunmi Mosaku, Anna Kendrick, and Kaniehtiio Horn. The three actresses are looking off camera.

    Film Review - Alice, Darling (2023)

    A young woman trapped in an abusive relationship becomes the unwitting participant in an intervention staged by her two closest friends.
  • Title card for the film Corner Office. Jon Hamm peeking around the hallway corner. Just his head is showing.

    WFF Film Review - Corner Office (2022)

    New employee Orson is our unreliable narrator, a new employee who takes us on a guided tour of his eccentric work space and co-workers. Somewhat stressed by his need to over-deliver, Orson seeks a respite from his co-workers in a room that no one else seems to be aware of.
  • Still image from the film Exile. Adam Beach looking out a cabin window.

    WFF Film Review - Exile (2022)

    Ted is a man who is just getting out of prison for killing a family in a DUI incident. He receives a threat from the man whose family he accidentally killed to the effect that if Ted tries to reunite with his own family, they will be killed in retaliation for the crime Ted committed.
  • Still image of the main character in Little Jar dressed up in a hazmat suit.

    WFF Film Review - Little Jar (2022)

    Ainsley (Kelsey Gunn) is a misanthrope who hates people but when she suddenly finds herself in isolation with no one to talk to, she realizes how much she actually misses connection.
  • Title card for Scrap documentary. Image of rusting trolley cars covered in moss and graffiti.

    Film Review - Scrap (2022)

    Director Stacey Tenenbaum tackles the question about our disposable society, why we throw-out memories along with unwanted possessions; while venturing into metal graveyards to find things like planes, ships, trains and trolleys, all left to die.
6

Check out the latest Songs