REVIEW: The life and legacy of Mr. Dressup

For nearly 30 years, children’s television in Canada was shaped by one man. Ernie Coombs entertained children with his various puppet pals and the Tickle Trunk and all of its wondrous costumes. In a nation whose culture was so dominated by American culture, Coombs and his show stood out as something fiercely and proudly Canadian.

Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make Believe is a new documentary that celebrates the life of Coombs, more commonly known as Mr. Dressup. From his humble beginnings in Maine to his retirement a couple of years shy of the new millennium, this documentary presents a complete characterization of the man and the legend.

Directed by Robert McCallum (who previously made Missing Mom), the film presents a timeline of his life from his childhood in Maine, early years working with fellow children’s tv icon Fred Rogers (the creator of Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood) and the creation of his iconic show. It’s a loving film, with many interviews with collaborators and fans showing he was a universally adored person.

At times this documentary does feel quite hagiographic. Many of the interviewees are just here to essentially speak about how much they love this man, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (from Kim’s Convenience), Bruce McCulloch (from the Kids in the Hall), and Michael J. Fox (from Back to the Future). That’s not to say that the film should be digging up the skeletons in the closet of Mr. Dressup, but it often feels like the viewer is watching a film about a legend and not a real man.

There are several sequences that do humanize him, and this is where the film truly soars. Showing that the character of Mr. Dressup wasn’t his character but his natural demeanor, he treated the children who watch his shows the same way he treated his own children. Films like this can feel like a constructed eulogy, which is why showing the side not often shown is the best path forward for films like these.

What is most interesting the film is its case that it’s actually an early champion of progressive representation in media. For several years, Mr. Dressup interacted with two puppets known as Casey and Finnegan (both played by Australian puppeteer Judith Lawrence). Casey is never shown to be either a boy or a girl, but one whose representative of both. Audiences were never sure so any kid could find themselves identifying with Casey.

Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe is a very heart-warming look into the story of a Canadian icon. It might not convince new fans to check out his work, but it’s an excellent nostalgic adventure for longtime fans. This film gets a 3/5, you can watch it in cinemas or on Prime Video now.