WHOOPI GOLDBERG PRESENTS MOMS MABLEY + BONUS (HBO 2013)

The original queen of comedy: Moms Mabley!

 

Acclaimed actress/comedienne Whoopi Goldberg directs and appears in this feature documentary about Jackie "Moms" Mabley, an African-American stand-up comic and show-biz pioneer who emerged from the Chitlin' Circuit of African-American Vaudeville to become a mainstream star. Once billed as "The Funniest Woman in the World," Mabley pushed the boundaries of comedy by tackling topics such as gender, sex, and racism and performed up until her death in 1975.

 

Mabley's willingness to address taboo social topics earned her a reputation as daring and controversial. The film includes vintage clips and recordings of Mabley, as well as recent interviews with some of the world's top comedians, including Eddie Murphy, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Robert Klein, Bill Cosby, and Goldberg - each of whom is a huge Mabley fan. A true passion project for first-time director Goldberg, the documentary shows Mabley's historical significance and profound influence as a performer vastly ahead of her time.

 

Also features insights by Harry Belafonte, Professor Bambi Haggins, Arsenio Hall, Quincy Jones, Anne Meara, Billy Mitchell, Sidney Poitier, George Schlatter, Jerry Stiller.

 

This DVD contains bonus material of Moms Mabley on The Merv Griffin Show from August 18, 1969. The episode also features Woody Allen, Moms Mabley, Hedy Lamarr, Leslie Uggams. It is not the full episode – the segment with Ted Sorensen was edited out for time. The full episode is available separately from Rewatch Classic TV.

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Number of DVDs: 1

Quality: 9.5/10

Running Time: 71 min

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen

NOTES: This is a fan-made DVD set. Not    a studio release.  NOT RECORDED FROM TV.