''Speedy Delivery'' is a 2008 documentary film directed and produced by Paul B. Germain. The film follows the life story of

David Newell David Alexander Newell (born November 24, 1938) is an American television actor known primarily for his portrayal of Mr. McFeely, the delivery man on ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood''. He also worked in the public relations department of Fred R ...

, better known as Mr. McFeely from the children's television show ''

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' (sometimes shortened to ''Mister Rogers'') is an American half-hour educational children's television series that ran from 1968 to 2001, and was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. The series ''Misterogers'' debut ...

''. This was released two months after the series' 40th anniversary. ''Speedy Delivery'' is the first film about Mister Rogers. Shot in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, the film is a character study of Newell, examining his mission to help save "The Neighborhood" following the death of his close friend

Fred Rogers Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003), commonly known as Mister Rogers, was an American television host, author, producer, and Presbyterian minister. He was the creator, showrunner, and host of the preschool television se ...

. Made on a budget of $4,000, it was funded by grants from two universities:

Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of its predecessors was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools; it became the Carnegie Institute of Technology ...

and

Pomona College Pomona College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It was established in 1887 by a group of Congregationalists who wanted to recreate a "college of the New England type" in Southern California. In 1925, it became ...

. It aired regionally on

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...

and was screened at

The Feel Good Film Festival The Feel Good Film Festival (FGFF), also known as the Sunflower Film Festival, was held annually in Hollywood, California from 2008 to 2012. The Festival was the largest of its kind showcasing American, international, independent, and family-frien ...

founded by

Kristen Ridgway Flores Kristen Ridgway Flores is Founder and CEO of The Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood, California and an American actress, set designer, production designer, and film producer. Early life Ms. Flores received her early theatre and acting trainin ...

, Flyway Film Festival, and the 2009 Seattle Children's Film Festival.

Plot

''Speedy Delivery'' follows David Newell/Mr. McFeely around his own neighborhood,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, examining the two roles he has played for over forty years. Intercut with retrospective interviews, the film explores Newell's life of service, as both playing the character Mr. McFeely and as director of public relations for Family Communications, Inc., the parent company founded by Fred Rogers. This company created and produced ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' during the majority of its years on air since its debut in 1967. The film follows Newell on four appearances located in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Beginning in Pittsburgh, he appears at the opening of the Schenley Plaza Carousel, meeting and greeting with fans. Next, he travels to

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

to help open up a special

Mister Rogers Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003), commonly known as Mister Rogers, was an American television host, author, producer, and Presbyterian minister. He was the creator, showrunner, and host of the preschool television se ...

traveling exhibit, including a replica of the set. Finally, he returns to Pittsburgh for two more appearances in

Bridgeville, Pennsylvania Bridgeville is a borough in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The population was 4,804 at the 2020 census. Geography Bridgeville is located along Chartiers Creek, about southwest of downtown Pittsburgh at . According to the U ...

and Cranberry Park. All along the way, the film uses retrospective interviews with former cast members and current co-workers to discuss topics like Newell's childhood, the passing of Fred Rogers, where the character Mr. McFeely came from and what kept ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' successful and authentic for over four decades.

Alternate versions

There are two cuts of ''Speedy Delivery''. The theatrical cut runs approximately one hour and twelve minutes. The television cut runs approximately fifty-seven minutes, standard for

specifications. The theatrical cut is available on DVD and includes a director's commentary.

On television

''Speedy Delivery'' aired regionally on PBS stations across the nation.

Plot

Alternate versions

On television

References

External links