44th San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Opening Night

Director Lisa D'Apolito, participant Mallory Lewis and special guest Lamb Chop expected to attend

Before Mister Rogers there was Shari Lewis. A pioneer of children’s television, Lewis was the perky powerhouse behind NBC’s wildly popular family variety shows in the 50s and 60s. A multitalented singer, dancer, and magician, Lewis is best known for her skillful ventriloquism as the human counterpart to the beloved sock puppet Lamb Chop. Primed for the spotlight with her unconventional upbringing in the Bronx: Lewis’s mother was a pianist and proud feminist, her father a Yeshiva University professor who moonlighted as Peter Pan the Magic Man. When an injury sidelined Lewis’s dance aspirations, the misfortune led her to discover her passion for ventriloquism. Through the highs of those early years at NBC to her crushing cancellation when animation began to edge out live children’s television, Lewis’s talent and perseverance served as the cornerstone on which she waged her incredible comeback. From the director of Love, Gilda (SFJFF38), Shari & Lamb Chop features home movies, archival footage, and candid interviews with family and colleagues, cementing Lewis’s status as an original television icon. — Lori Donnelly

Bay Area Premiere

OPENING NIGHT BASH
Thursday, July 18 · 9:00pm

Following Shari & Lamb Chop, the party continues at the Palace of Fine Arts with tasty treats and refreshments from our festival partners.

Film & Party: $65 JFI Members / $75 General Public
Film Only: $30 JFI Members / $35 General Public

Film also screens on July 31, 3:30 pm at Piedmont Theater.

Click here for tickets