Rated PG-13
94 Min

Presented by Illinois Public Media, home of WILL-TV, WILL-AM, and WILL-FM.

Filmmaker Morgan Neville examines the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the popular children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Charmingly soft-spoken and yet powerfully incisive expressing his profound ideals, Fred Rogers was a unique presence on television for generations. Through interviews of his family and colleagues, the life of this would-be pastor is explored as a man who found a more important calling to provide an oasis for children in a video sea of violent bombardment. That proved to be his landmark series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968), a show that could gently delve into important subjects no other children's show would have dared for that time. In doing so, Rogers experienced a career where his sweet-tempered idealism charmed and influenced the world whether it be scores of children on TV or recalcitrant authorities in government. However, that beloved personality also hid Rogers' deep self-doubts about himself and occasional misjudgments even as he proved a rock of understanding in times of tragedy for a world that did not always comprehend a man of such noble character.

Doors open at 6:15.





THE ARTHOUSE EXPERIENCE Film Series
Described as limited-release, high-quality titles that have captured the imagination of movie lovers, the Virginia Theatre’s Arthouse Experience Film Series is programmed by special guest curator Sanford Hess.

The movies that Mr. Hess selects—a mix of award-winners, Ebertfest favorites, and recent classics—are presented one Friday each month on the Virginia’s 52-foot wide movie screen, with state-of-the-art surround sound.

Each film will be followed by a post-show discussion and in some cases an on-stage talk by directors, producers, and other special guests.