Robert Gold I won't rehash most of what has been written about this terrific film already, but there are some things I would have liked to have learned about from the filmmaker. For example, the audience gets to see Gertrude Berg's grandson and granddaughter both being interviewed, but what happened to Berg's actual son and daughter? Had they passed away? Did they decline to be interviewed? {January 7, 2018: I discovered when reading Glenn D. Smith Jr.'s detailed and fascinating book "Something on My Own" Gertrude Berg and American Broadcasting 1929-1956 (2007) that her son Cherney and her daughter-in-law Dorothy both died in 2003 (as stated in the notes section in the back of the book on page 230). He also states that her daughter Harriet Berg-Schwartz also died in 2003 before his book was published (as stated in the preface). This explains why none of her children were shown speaking in the film itself.} Another point not mentioned was that the FBI cleared Philip Loeb's communistic attack as false. His reputation was cleared not long after Loeb committed suicide. Why was that not included in the film? I also found it surprising that there was NO mention of a Broadway musical starring Kaye Ballard called MOLLY which also featured Eli Mintz once again playing Uncle David. The musical ran on the Broadway stage at the Alvin Theater beginning September 27th for 40 previews to its opening on November 1st in 1973 for a total of 68 performances, later closing on December 29th. I know it may not be a lot of performances, but it is certainly worth mentioning. I actually wanted to recommend to viewers to take the time to watch the film twice: once by itself and once with the audio commentary by Aviva Kempner, the filmmaker. It is filled with much information that added to my appreciation and enjoyment of learning about The Goldbergs and about Gertrude Berg.

Michael Fargo The intense rush of nostalgia that Aviva Kempner's film floods the audience with is carefully interrupted with well-placed--though brief--darker sides of the facets of Gertrude Berg's extraordinarily unique life. For instance, we're shown the close relationship with her mother in earlier years, but later told a more troubling aspect which adds depth but never spoils Berg's optimism that was such a hallmark in her material.This technique is constantly employed and keeps us engaged with one exception: The McCarthy era is given a longer sequence into how the Red Channel affected those in Berg's circle and brought shame to a country that ironically also provided opportunity to many mentioned in the film, many of whom were broken beyond repair by rumor and suspicion.There's generous archival footage that covers the entirety of Berg's life, and reminds us of her contribution not only to early radio and television, but of a rare driven talent that can still touch us today. We're fortunate this film was made when it was since some of the original cast and friends and colleagues provide primary source material. This is a warm and loving portrait that also touches on difficulties most pioneers face.

lastliberal It is always fun to go back and see the early days of TV. Coming as it did mostly or frequently from radio, this early look at a woman that was as popular as Oprah in her day.To see a strong woman like Gertrude Berg, who came from a difficult childhood due to the death of her brother and the resulting mental difficulties that beset her mother, develop a character and a family show that everyone in the country followed, was amazing.To see people like Edward R. Murrow and Ed Sullivan, and the evil red scare that brought about the show's eventual demise is a telling reminder of why Fox News and the Tea Party is so dangerous today.It was an enjoyable journey into the birth of TV, and the birth of sitcoms.

Lynn Weissman Although "Yoo Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg" is not superbly edited, it is fun to watch, fascinating, and certainly historically significant. The film, like Mrs. (Gold)Berg - and perhaps many of our own Jewish mothers and grandmothers - is a pivotal feminist entity with a sense of humor. This documentary also touches on the blacklisting/red scare era in America, of which we need constant reminders. Kudos to Director Aviva Kempner for finally recognizing a woman whose prolific accomplishments, until now left on a dusty old shelf, shaped the future of American media and culture.A film worth seeing!