The Shopping Bag Lady by Bert Salzman - Award Winning Video

[archangelum]

In the 1970's at my Illinois Grade School I seem to remember seeing this each year. Today is the first time I've watched it since maybe 1978 & I was choked up through the whole film. What a wonderful story! Most of the people in this film can’t act their way out of a paper bag; however, the Shopping Bag Lady herself more than makes up for it by nailing her role of the fragile, helpless, & homeless lady. Warms the heart this does.

[DemonicTrilogy]

Wow, at 1:20 you can hear almost a bit of the UP theme.

[dearmalika]

It makes me cry, what a wonderful film! Thank you to Bert Salzman for making this movie and thank you to rosayfilms for posting it!

[rosaryfilms]

@dearmalika - thank you very much!

[1ralpht]

I showed this film for many years for my Gr 7 and 8 English classes.It always sparked discussion and there was quite often a quiet sniff and sob while the film ran. What a wonderful memory. Still a wonderful film

[starrhiannon]

I shared this on my facebook, I hope you don't mind.  Loved this in school.

[rosaryfilms]

@starrhiannon - thank you for sharing on facebook! Regards...

[TIPTON340]

Bert Salzman, your an angel.

[rosaryfilms]

@TIPTON340 - thank you for watching!

[returntotheroot]

A nice film about compassion that i'm so desperately trying to develop in my life right now.

[Dimension150]

Thanks for posting this. The last time I saw it was in 1978 in jr, high school.

[rosaryfilms]

@Dimension150 - you are very welcome!

[hoknes]

I hosted my Grade 8 assembly at John Lake School and if I recall we showed this video that day for the entire school - that would be the 1983/1984 season.

[zhangdawg]

Beautiful.

[rosaryfilms]

@zhangdawg - thank you!

[meterman432110]

thank you rosary really i remember this on the CBS Saturday film festival on a Saturday in 1973 or 74 not only did the movie clown made me cry this to in one way God bless you!!!

[rosaryfilms]

@meterman432110 - thank you very much for your comments and may God Bless you also! regards...

[DoomedTelevision]

I watched this about 8 years ago in my 6th grade class, just rediscovered it today.

I remember feeling such a sense of disgust when my teacher popped this into the VCR, and all of my classmates started to giggle and laugh at the film. Thankfully the teacher was disgusted by their behavior as well and literally yelled at the class for their horrible lack of respect.

Generation Y is awful...

But anyway, this film is short but so powerful... my eyes watered during the hospital scene.

[robbiewyness]

found this by accident....looking for shopping bag lady by dean freidman.......this is a very touching and heartwarming film and i will be reccomending it to others

[rosaryfilms]

robbiewyness, thank you for your comments!

[Maximus2525]

This movie was absolutely a tearjerker. A great movie for children to see. I truly believe this movie allowed me to notice empathy within myself.

[67nairb]

I remember watching this film in school over 30 years ago. It was a sad and very touching film, but it wasn't a tearjerker.

[bercherie]

I disagree. It was one of the most touching movies of my childhood memories. I love the bond between the young teenage girl and the elderly misunderstood homeless woman. It shows compassion and tolerance between young and old. And the background music is incredible!

[67nairb]

It was a very sad, touching and moving film. But I was not reduced to tears while watching it, even back when I was a kid in school. That's just how I saw it and felt it. And you're right the music was incredible and set the mood.

[OmegaWolf747]

Wow! Thanks for bringing back a fond childhood memory. I'm glad at least one of those girls had some compassion in her heart.

[rosaryfilms]

OmegaWolf747, thank you for watching!

[LastTree]

That's the problem with the media and school..the media isn't showing the lessons of life and values of how we treat others especially seniors and the schools are only interested in showing cartoons that disrespect authority. Pathetic.

[67nairb]

What happened to Annie Lewis' family? Did she have any living relatives while wandering the streets of New York?

[LastTree]

No, it looks like she had nobody. That's what happens sometimes.

[67nairb]

Was Annie Lewis ever married? How did she go from living on a big nice farm in Missouri at the turn of the century the mean streets of New York in the 1970s?

[TIPTON340]

Was seen on the CBS Film Festival hosted by Kula, Fran, and Ollie.

[LastTree]

Maybe she became a widower and moved to NYC where some of her family lived.

[bawoman]

Beautifull movie.Finally,an educational movie that uses its power for the good

[rosaryfilms]

bawoman, thank you for watching!

[SeventhProtocol]

I'd never seen this before today (Its a bit before my time). One of the most powerful short films I've ever seen. I've always though of myself as a kind person but his made me look deep inside and think of ways I could be more so. For the last five minutes of this I was crying my eyes out.

[rosaryfilms]

SeventhProtocol, thank you for your comments!

[starrlite72]

Thank you so much for posting this short film. I have been looking for this for over 25 years. This film captured my heart as a child and my heart was recaptured watching it again for the first time in over 25 years! Our librarian at my elementary school used to show this film to us once a year. A FLOOD of memories came back along with a flood of tears. I vivdly remember everything about this film, from the faces, phrases, and music.

I sincerely thank you for the post.

[rosaryfilms]

starrlite72, thank you very much for your comments! We are glad that you enjoyed the film!

[67nairb]

Why didn't the film explain as to why Annie Lewis became homeless? She certainly wasn't born homeless.

[andyrod0077]

i loved it!

I wish to make movies like this.

[mgproductions2007]

i cried

[Fromorion]

I saw this film on CBS childrens film festival when I was a kid and it moved me so much that I never forgot it. Thanks so much for posting it. It made me cry and brought back a flood of memories. Mildred Dunnock is wonderful.

[rosaryfilms]

Fromorion, thank you very much!

[mseehusen47]

A movie that never leaves you.A sweet movie.Have tissues ready for it may move you to tears.

[KellyGreen5555]

Beautiful.

[rosaryfilms]

KellyGreen5555, thank you for your comments!

[messinwithit]

lol my mom's name is anne lewis and they showed this movie to her skool 2 years in a row.

[Zincx23]

poor old lady!

[WingParadox]

Beautiful! I must show this to a few people I know. :)

[qwalznarg]

u dont own the sidwalk u big dummy

[jinglelid90]

i saw that movie in college!!!!!

[MEthistime]

I love this movie! I hope school children still have the opportunity to see this film in classrooms.

[blueangel2497]

Beautiful...and so true. thank you...

[rosaryfilms]

blueangel2497, you are welcome...

[mischief13]

Thank you so much for sending me this Bert, it was extrememly powerful. I had to pause when the shopping bag lady was reading to the puppet, once I saw the girls face it hit me like a wall that what we create isnt really ours, it belongs to the people who feel something because of it. I think this is something everyone should see at least once.

[rosaryfilms]

mischief13, thank you very much for watching and for your comments!

[vistakom]

Tkanks Bert Salzman + Rosaryfilms for a subtle flow of emotions I experienced watching Ladies:)

Carousel of life is moving and it's great to remember how OK we are...and aging is not an easy ride.

PS I'm going to call my mom now;)

[rosaryfilms]

vistakom, thank you very much for your comments!

[FHSUTiger]

This is why I love You Tube! Thank you so much for posting this video. I saw this when I was in grade school about 28 or 30 years ago and I enjoyed it's message then as much as I do today. Thank you Rosaryfilms & Mr. Salzman, I really enjoyed seeing it again.

[rosaryfilms]

FHSUTiger, thank you very much! Bert Salzman is definitely a genius film maker!

[mamamiasweetpeaches]

Thank you for putting this video up. I love all these 70s and 80s "Special Message Movies"-type things.

I don't remember seeing this particular one as a kid. I am glad you put it up or I never would have found it anywhere else.

[rosaryfilms]

mamamiasweetpeaches, thank you very much for watching!

[sensiblechic303]

I think I saw this film a long time ago. Certainly makes a person realize that everyone has someone that loves them or loved them. And not to take our older folks for granted. Patience and Kindness. It's free and you can give it away and receive priceless rewards. Thank your for putting this film on for so many to people to see and hopefully pass along some kindness and compassion.

[rosaryfilms]

sensiblechic303, thank you very much for your comments!

[BertSalzman]

Dear RosaryFilms ,Thank you for presenting my film,Shopping Bag Lady, on your loving and dignified channel. The world needs to have more compassion for the elderly and homeless.Thank you for aiding in this cause . Respectfully, Bert Salzman

[rosaryfilms]

BertSalzman, thank you very much! I really love this superb film! Congratulations on producing such a masterpiece! Regards...