Shari & Lamb Chop unfolds like a captivating tale of a trailblazing entertainer, a woman named Shari Lewis whose journey in showbiz challenges the conventional narratives of fame and fortune. Director Lisa D’Apolito skillfully unveils the layers of Lewis’ life, revealing a dedication to her craft that transcends the traditional showbiz biography.
In a realm where enchantment and melody coalesced seamlessly, Lewis emerged as a destined luminary of entertainment. Her initiation into the world of ventriloquism was a fortuitous alchemy, sparked by a serendipitous interplay of a sock and the lively stage of Captain Kangaroo. This marked the genesis of a singular career, one that saw Lewis, the mistress of her puppet Lamb Chop, metamorphose from orchestrator to orchestrated. D’Apolito deftly unravels the narrative, steering away from the conventional struggles of fame, and instead delves into Lewis’s odyssey through the intricate tapestry of mid-20th century showbiz. In this captivating documentary, we witness Lewis navigating the demanding panorama, refining her craft as a ventriloquist, dancer, and magician. The canvas painted is one of a bygone era, where Lewis, armed with a multifaceted repertoire, evolves into a virtuoso of live shows, weaving songs and commercials weekly to fill the capricious expanses of early television.
The film’s exploration delves deeply into the toll exacted by Lewis’s unwavering dedication. As Mallory Lewis reflects on her mother’s life, the film reveals that the absolute commitment to her craft left an indelible mark on Lewis, both within the realm of the camera and beyond. The onset of Saturday morning cartoons abruptly displaced her from the airwaves, thrusting her into a phase of aimless meandering through county fairs and telethons, where she continued to pour herself into her performances despite the uncertain circumstances.
Although Lewis eventually experienced a triumphant resurgence in children’s television, particularly on PBS, the documentary uncovers its most captivating moments during her sojourn in the desert. There, amidst the county fairs and telethons, she grappled with the ever-shifting landscape of entertainment. D’Apolito presents Lewis as a sage navigating a bygone era, showcasing her tenacity as she traverses the diverse terrain of various variety shows, tirelessly vying for continued relevance.
In a world of documentaries about children’s shows, Shari & Lamb Chop stands out prominently. Lisa D’Apolito brings well-deserved recognition to Shari Lewis—an incredibly talented woman who earned five Emmy awards. The documentary is a compilation of interviews, providing a vivid glimpse into Lewis’s life, marked by the strong brushstrokes of her hard work and lively talent. It unfolds like a narrative magic trick, revealing the story of Lewis’s evolution into a legendary figure in children’s TV. As we navigate this documentary world, questions arise organically: What if Shari Lewis, the significant figure, didn’t have Lamb Chop, her famous puppet companion? This exploration prompts us to consider the intrinsic connection between Lewis’s identity and her puppet partner, pondering whether, among the countless documentaries available, this one truly shines as a standout.
Shari & Lamb Chop had its World Premiere in the Portraits section of the 2023 DOC NYC Film Festival.
Shari Lewis's distinctive blend of humor and affability radiates, offering audiences a captivating portrait of a woman who, in myriad ways, laid the foundation for the titans of children's programming that would come to dominate the screen. In this cinematic brushstroke, her legacy emerges as an enduring testament to the indelible mark she left on the whimsical realm of children's entertainment.
Codie Allen is a passionate trans and queer film critic and entertainment writer based in Orlando, FL. A Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, Dorian Awards member, and CACF member, they also contribute to The Curb and InSession Film. When they’re not writing about films, you can find them sipping way too much tea and listening to Taylor Swift.
