Speedy Delivery
Speedy Delivery is a 2008 documentary film directed and produced by Paul B. Germain. The film follows the life story of David Newell, better known as Mr. McFeely from the children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.[1] This was released two months after the series' 40th anniversary. Speedy Delivery is the first film about Mister Rogers.
Speedy Delivery | |
---|---|
Directed by | Paul B. Germain |
Produced by | Paul B. Germain Stuart Friedel |
Starring | David Newell Fred Rogers |
Cinematography | Paul B. Germain Stuart Friedel |
Edited by | Paul B. Germain |
Music by | Bryan Senti |
Release date |
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Running time | 72 minutes |
Language | English |
Budget | $4,000 |
Shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the film is a character study of Newell, examining his mission to help save "The Neighborhood" following the death of his close friend Fred Rogers. Made on a budget of $4,000, it was funded by grants from two universities: Carnegie Mellon University and Pomona College.[2] It aired regionally on PBS and was screened at The Feel Good Film Festival founded by Kristen Ridgway Flores, Flyway Film Festival, and the 2009 Seattle Children's Film Festival.[3][4][5]
Plot
Speedy Delivery follows David Newell/Mr. McFeely around his own neighborhood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, examining the two roles he has played for over forty years. Intercut with retrospective interviews, the film explores Newell's life of service, as both playing the character Mr. McFeely and as director of public relations for Family Communications, Inc., the parent company founded by Fred Rogers.[6] This company created and produced Mister Rogers' Neighborhood during the majority of its years on air since its debut in 1967.[7]
The film follows Newell on four appearances located in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Beginning in Pittsburgh, he appears at the opening of the Schenley Plaza Carousel, meeting and greeting with fans. Next, he travels to Baltimore, Maryland to help open up a special Mister Rogers traveling exhibit, including a replica of the set. Finally, he returns to Pittsburgh for two more appearances in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania and Cranberry Park. All along the way, the film uses retrospective interviews with former cast members and current co-workers to discuss topics like Newell's childhood, the passing of Fred Rogers, where the character Mr. McFeely came from and what kept Mister Rogers' Neighborhood successful and authentic for over four decades.
Alternate versions
There are two cuts of Speedy Delivery. The theatrical cut runs approximately one hour and twelve minutes. The television cut runs approximately fifty-seven minutes, standard for PBS specifications. The theatrical cut is available on DVD and includes a director's commentary.
On television
Speedy Delivery aired regionally on PBS stations across the nation.
References
- "Speedy Delivery: The Movie | Buy DVD". www.speedydeliverymovie.com.
- Vancheri, Barbara (April 9, 2008). "Special 'Delivery': Documentary follows Mr. McFeely as he carries the message of Fred Rogers". old.post-gazette.com. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- Maness, Chandler (August 25, 2008). "Feel Good Film Festival a Fine Success". independentfilmsdirect.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008.
- "Flyway Film Festival 2008". flywayfilmfestival.org. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008.
- "Make Films, Make Friends, Make Change - Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) - Seattle, WA". Nwfilmforum.org. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- "Staff Bios". fci.org. Archived from the original on October 2, 2006.
- "Fred Mcfeely Rogers - U.S. Children's Television Host/Producer". museum.tv. Archived from the original on January 19, 2003.
External links
- Official website
- Speedy Delivery at IMDb
- Speedy Delivery on KDKA, CBS
- "A Beautiful Day in Waynesburg" Greene County Messenger
- "Making the rounds with Mr. McFeely" Roanoke Times
- "Mr. McFeely Keeps the Legacy Alive" Lansing State Journal
- "Speedy Delivery Wins IndieFlix Contest" Independent Films Direct
- "Special Delivery: Documentary follows Mr. McFeely as he carries the message of Fred Rogers" Pittsburgh Post Gazette
- "Speedy Delivery Profiles Mr. McFeely" Pitt News
- "Speedy Delivery" The Lafayette
- "Lafayette Celebrates Documentary Filmmaking during 'Doc Week'" Lafayette Campus News
- "Music Student Pens Mister Rogers Score" Yale Daily News
- "Carnegie Mellon Graduates Complete Documentary about Mr. McFeely" The Tartan
- "Germain '04 Pays Tribute to Mr. McFeely in Film" Lafayette Alumni News
- "Speedy Delivery" Pomona College Magazine