As "Street Gang; How We got to Sesame Street" (2021 release; 106 min.) opens, it is "New York CIty, 1981", and we get a glimpse of the program being produced: there is Joan Cooney, who came up with the idea in the mid-60s for a kids shows aimed at the underprivileged inner-city (read; mostly Black) kids aged 3 to 5, and Jon Stone, the director who is determined to not talk down to kids or, worse--selling stuff to kids (cereal, toys, etc.). And then there are the main puppeteers, Jim Henson and Frank Oz, whose talents are obvious... At this point we are 10 min. Into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from director Marilyn Agrelo, who seemingly is given unfettered access to the Sesame Street achieve footage and "street gang" (i.e. The production staff and performers). There are some interesting titbits in this documentary: first and foremost, the active political considerations that went into it. Cooney was actively involved in the civil rights movement and very much aware of social, economic, and educational inequality and wanted to do something about it. Second, the first year budget for this was a staggering $8+ million ($54 in today's money), for an upstart, educational show aimed at disadvantaged kids. Amazing. Along the way we get tons of memorable clips, in particular from the early years (late 60's and early 70s). I never paid attention to Sesame Street until my kids were 3-5 yrs. In the early 90s. I thought is was terrific then. Bottom line: this documentary is well worth checking out.

"Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to immediate acclaim. It got a select Us theatrical release in the Spring, and just recently started streaming on HBO Max, where I caught it. If you have any interest in Sesame Street, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.