Sesame St.-Dont Eat the..

Sesame Street specials are always wonderful, but this hour long movie, filmed when Sesame Street was in its prime, is just spectacular. It remains one of my favorite ways to cheer myself up (I'm 27). When Big Bird wanders off near closing time to meet Snuffleupagus, and the rest of the Sesame Street monsters and humans try frantically to find him, they all get locked overnight in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The rest of the video, which amounts to the bulk of the story, revolves around three main storylines: 1.) everyone trying to find Big Bird while avoiding the suspicious but clueless mustachio-ed museum security guard, 2.) everyone discovering and enjoying the museum in the process, and 3.) Big Bird and Snuffleupagus helping a little Egyptian boy named Sahu prove his inner worth in a yearly "test", so that the god Osiris will let him join his parents as stars in the sky. There is enough of a storyline to ensnare even those with the shortest of attention spans, children and adults alike, and quite a bit of comic relief to lighten the way. Watching straight-arrow Bob as he runs around trying to keep Cookie Monster from scarfing down the Still Lives, while a group of dancing Monster-ettes sings the doo-wop title tune: "Don't eat the pictures, no, no, no!", is particularly amusing; as are the scenes where Sahu's invisible cat, who still meows audibly, befuddles that poor hapless security guard. The many many shots of the Museum interior are gorgeous, and a magical exposure/introduction to art and museums, in particular the paintings, sculpture, and medieval artifacts of the Met. The video of course has a happy ending, but one that will bring tears to your eyes. I watched this tape for the first time when I was 7 years old, and I must say that when as an adult I had my first opportunity to go to the Met in person, it was a truly awesome visit. Another friend who had watched the movie as a child led me on what we called the Don't Eat the Pictures Tour, and she showed me every piece of art showcased in the movie. Her tour ended at the Temple of Dendur itself, and as it was near closing time, it was dark outside with stars in the sky--just like the penultimate scene of DETP. A memorable day, and a memorable movie. It's a true gift from the Sesame Street gang to us, the viewing public. You and your kids will love it.

Why is this costing $50-$75 here? Go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art website and get it for $12.95.

Because it certainly desrves it. Unlike today's emphasis on dumbing down programing ala Barney, this video tape was made in a time when children were actually respected and given enormous respect.

Granted some of the acting seems weird because of the programing shift, but I seriously doubt that it would scare today's little kids. I watched it as a little girl, and keep hoping that it will be released.

One of the unexpected side effects of this non-condescending treatment is that young adults such as myself still fondly remember this movie and are not at all bored by the pace. Whatever your chronological age, you will find this program timeless in it's appeal and beloved by all.

That is what indicates real staying power, not how many toys one can invent, market and make profit from.

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