The Business
Morgan Neville on his unexpected tearjerker, 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'
Director Morgan Neville knew his new documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers and his neighborhood would be emotional. But he wasn’t prepared for theaters full of mass sobbing.
By Kim Masters • • 28m ListenDocumentary filmmaker Morgan Neville anticipated that his new project, ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’--about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers--might elicit some emotion. He was not prepared to be confronted with a river of tears wherever it played. Neville tells us how he convinced Rogers’ family and estate to participate in his film and then got fully funded before shooting a frame. Also a news banter that looks ahead to a big ruling on the AT&T acquisition of Time Warner.
Image of David Newell (left) and Fred Rogers (right) from the show Mr. Rogers Neighborhood in the film, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?, a Focus Features release. Courtesy of Lynn Johnson.
In this episode
2 storiesHollywood news banter
Matt Belloni, editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, joins Kim Masters to discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.
Read the story6 minDirector Morgan Neville on 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'
Fifty years ago, ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ debuted nationally on public television. Even if you didn’t grow up with the show, you probably know that every episode began with the same ritual.
Read the story21 min
