A record signed by beloved children91裸聊视频檚 performer Ernie Coombs, more affectionately known to generations of Canadians as Mr. Dressup, hangs in Mark Bishop91裸聊视频檚 office.

The Toronto-based producer doesn91裸聊视频檛 call himself a superfan, but a lifelong love of the man who encouraged children to be themselves and provided a portal for their imaginations with a toy chest called the 91裸聊视频渢ickle trunk,91裸聊视频� suggests otherwise.

Bishop met Coombs twice before the performer91裸聊视频檚 death in 2001 91裸聊视频� once as a child and then years later in university.

About three years ago, Bishop came across various social media posts about the performer as part of a Facebook fan page. He decided to reach out to the man who posted the videos, Canadian documentarian Robert McCallum, to pitch a project that would explore not only the popularity of Mr. Dressup but also who Coombs was off camera.

Bishop tapped McCallum to direct the full-length documentary 91裸聊视频淢r. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe,91裸聊视频� which debuted at this year91裸聊视频檚 Toronto International Film Festival. It will also be available on Prime Video Oct. 10.

91裸聊视频淲e wanted to give the audience a wonderful nostalgia trip, but also hopefully have them walk away and take some learnings they probably didn91裸聊视频檛 realize from (Coombs91裸聊视频�) incredible story,91裸聊视频� said Bishop.

The film uses archival footage from the 91裸聊视频淢r. Dressup91裸聊视频� series, which ran on CBC for about 30 years, as well asinterviews with family members, former castmates and Canadian celebrities. It also includes home videos that trace the life and legacy of the American-born Coombs, who died in Toronto at age 73.

One of the lesser-known aspects of Coombs91裸聊视频� life the filmmakers shed a light on was his relationship with fellow American children91裸聊视频檚 performer Fred Rogers or Mr. Rogers.

The twomay be perceivedas competitors when in reality they were best friends and collaborators, having both come to Canada to get their start at CBC in the early 91裸聊视频�60s.

91裸聊视频淭hese men had a kinship. It wasn91裸聊视频檛 competitive, it was actually very complimentary,91裸聊视频� said Bishop.

Coombs91裸聊视频檒ongtime partner and puppeteer Judith Lawrence, who created the series91裸聊视频� first crop of puppet co-stars Casey and Finnegan, provides inside knowledge of what the early years of the show werelike, while later co-stars speak about the sombre final days of one of Canada91裸聊视频檚 longest-running television series.

The interviews showcase the untarnished love many have for the 91裸聊视频淢r. Dressup91裸聊视频� series, a cultural juggernaut in Canada.

91裸聊视频淭he thing right across the board everyone said is that (Coombs) lived the values. He was the same person off camera as he was on,91裸聊视频� said Bishop.

Coombs91裸聊视频� character and what he symbolizes for many Canadians across the country is what propelled Hawkeye Pictures runner Aeschylus Poulos to take on the project as co-producer.

91裸聊视频淚 really wanted to tell a story that resonates with all Canadians,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a lot about nationalism, which is scary and dangerous in today91裸聊视频檚 world, but it91裸聊视频檚 really important for us as Canadians to tell Canadian stories to know where we came from to build towards the future.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淢r. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe91裸聊视频� screens again at TIFF on Sept. 15.

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