A record signed by beloved childrenB次元官网网址檚 performer Ernie Coombs, more affectionately known to generations of Canadians as Mr. Dressup, hangs in Mark BishopB次元官网网址檚 office.

The Toronto-based producer doesnB次元官网网址檛 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 B次元官网网址渢ickle trunk,B次元官网网址� suggests otherwise.

Bishop met Coombs twice before the performerB次元官网网址檚 death in 2001 B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址淢r. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe,B次元官网网址� which debuted at this yearB次元官网网址檚 Toronto International Film Festival. It will also be available on Prime B次元官网网址 Oct. 10.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted to give the audience a wonderful nostalgia trip, but also hopefully have them walk away and take some learnings they probably didnB次元官网网址檛 realize from (CoombsB次元官网网址�) incredible story,B次元官网网址� said Bishop.

The film uses archival footage from the B次元官网网址淢r. DressupB次元官网网址� 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 CoombsB次元官网网址� life the filmmakers shed a light on was his relationship with fellow American childrenB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址�60s.

B次元官网网址淭hese men had a kinship. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 competitive, it was actually very complimentary,B次元官网网址� said Bishop.

CoombsB次元官网网址檒ongtime partner and puppeteer Judith Lawrence, who created the seriesB次元官网网址� 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 CanadaB次元官网网址檚 longest-running television series.

The interviews showcase the untarnished love many have for the B次元官网网址淢r. DressupB次元官网网址� series, a cultural juggernaut in Canada.

B次元官网网址淭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,B次元官网网址� said Bishop.

CoombsB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚 really wanted to tell a story that resonates with all Canadians,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot about nationalism, which is scary and dangerous in todayB次元官网网址檚 world, but itB次元官网网址檚 really important for us as Canadians to tell Canadian stories to know where we came from to build towards the future.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢r. Dressup: The Magic of Make-BelieveB次元官网网址� screens again at TIFF on Sept. 15.

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