One of my favorite library rental videos I watched as a child was Free to Be . . . You and Me. It was released in 1972 and is a cult classic for gen-Xers. It is full of star power with the likes of: Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda, Michael Jackson, Roberta Flack, (the beautiful) Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Harry Belafonte and Mel Brooks. You have to remember that this was pre-Seasame Street and Nickolodean; kids programming was in its infancy. As a child, I remember loving its smart, offbeat humor and gender-stereotype-defying messages. Also the songs are really catchy and the parts that were filmed were done on location in NYC. Here are a few clips, including my sister Liz's favorite, "William wants a doll."
Mel Brooks and Marlo Thomas playing newborn babies:
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William wants a doll:
Brothers and Sisters by the Voices of Harlem:
Marlo Thomas, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge (who incidentally was my fashion idol as a child until I realized her enchanting Native-American-hippie look was unattainable for a blond curly-headed kid such as myself).
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4 comments:
ha ha awesome that you found those videos!
Cool videos. I showed them to Cyra and she loved it! Thanks for that.
I've never heard of this! Thanks for the education.
after watching these videos, I immediately looked on youtube for the "Mommies are people...people with children" song. So funny!!
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