Product Details

• Actors: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney, Jerry Nelson, Sonia Manzano
• Directors: Jim Henson, Eva Saks, Jim Martin, Jon Stone, Mike de Seve
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Sesame Street
• DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009
• Run Time: 300 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002K0WBWI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,898 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #81 in Music > Children's Music
• Learn more about "Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sesame Street has been educating and entertaining kids for 40 years. But the kind of TV programming for children that we currently take for granted didn't exist until Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett dreamed up the concept of curriculum-based, educational children's television in the late 1960s. By 1969, lots of research, consultation with educators, and testing had culminated in Sesame Street--a show that was groundbreaking not only for its educational content, but also for its integrated cast and realistic setting. Amazingly, the show hasn't really changed all that much in 40 years--it still maintains its focus on educating kids and helping them understand and deal with things they're likely to encounter in their real lives. It accomplishes those goals with great characters, skilled puppetry, and the latest technological advances in animation. Summing up 40 years of Sesame Street programming in about five hours is no easy task, but this two-disc set is a great compilation of "best-of" memories, arranged by season. Classic scenes with Ernie singing "Rubber Ducky" and Kermit crooning the moving ballad "It's Not Easy Being Green" are obvious favorite choices, as are recurring segments such as the "Pinball Machine Count" (sung by the Pointer Sisters), "Ladybug Picnic," "Monsterpiece Theatre," and Cookie Monster attacking pile after pile of cookies. Scores of famous singers, actors, and sports stars have guest starred on Sesame Street over the years. This compilation includes performances by Lena Horne, Henry Winkler, Mr. (Fred) Rogers, James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Pee-wee Herman, Marilyn Horne, Tony Bennett, Robert De Niro, Olamide Faison, Alicia Keys, Matt Lauer, David Beckham, and Neil Patrick Harris. In addition to an assortment of typical Sesame Street segments featuring everyone's favorite characters, both Muppet and human, there are also several hugely memorable episodes, including when Big Bird learns that Mr. Hooper has died and isn't ever coming back, Luis and Maria's wedding and the birth of their first child, Snuffy's first appearance before someone besides Big Bird, and the time a hurricane blew away Big Bird's nest. Other favorite segments like "Elmo's World," "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures," various alphabet and counting songs, and a star-filled rendition of "Sing, Sing a Song" are also included in the compilation. Among the bonus features are optional pop-up facts and "Behind the Street" scenes; interview footage with actors/puppeteers, producers, and puppet designers/builders; TV montages; a fan-favorite scene; and a preview of "Abby's Flying Fairy School," a segment that features Sesame Street's first-ever CGI animation. Whether reliving childhood days watching the show or sharing it with a whole new generation, everyone will be thoroughly entertained by this great collection of Sesame Street programming. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Relive your favorite Sesame Street moments with this one of a kind Sesame Street Collection! Everyone remembers the familiar words to the Sesame Street theme song, and the even more familiar tune, but how much do you really know about the world's most famous street? When did Elmo first begin speaking in that world-famous falsetto? Can you name the musician that sang Slimey into space? Which Muppet was most distraught by Mr. Hooper's passing? Who is the voice behind Abby Cadabby? Can you guess which clip was voted the fan favorite in an online poll? Find the answers and much, much more packed into this special anniversary DVD set, which includes clips from all 40 seasons, interviews with cast and crew, including Jim Henson, as well as amazing behind-the-scenes peeks at how Muppet magic is created.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

129 of 134 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I thought... July 25, 2010

By A. del Rosario

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought Old School Sesame Street Volumes 1 and 2 many years ago and have been waiting for a 3rd volume release because our family just LOOOOOVES these two. In fact, the box is falling apart because of overuse. When I saw the 40 Years of Summer Days, I actually thought this was the 3rd, so I got it right away. I didn't realize that 40 years means up to today (because that's about my age). I am disappointed to see a lot of Elmo and the other new muppets in there. I'm sorry but I never grew up with them so I find them annoying. Ok I admit it. I bought this as a gift to my 4 year old but it was mostly for me. But even my son grew up watching the Old School Sesame Street so even he is not crazy about the new guys. So now we just gave it a run-through and it's back in the box. Why? Because most of the clips are already in the 2 volumes we have. They just added the new episodes circa late 80s and 90s. Ok to be fair, there are nice clips that I totally don't remember, like Maria and Luis getting married and having a baby, and the death of Mr. Hooper. But you don't really want to keep watching those over and over, especially when you grew up thinking it was Maria and David! I was hoping to see more of the animated clips, more of "The Number Painter", more of the clumsy baker that falls down the steps, and more of Joe Raposo's genius compositions, Ernie's old pranks on Bert, and the phonics (You take the P with the "ph" and the AN "an"... put them all together and they spell PAN, thats PAN... P-A-N, PAN....). That would've been great for my preschooler. Oh well... I still rate it with 3 stars because after all, it is Sesame Street and I have great respect for the people behind this production.

If you're a 40 yr old Sesame Street fan and you don't have Old School yet, get those, absolutely.... Hold off on this one unless you want to collect. Hope this review has helped you. Read more ›

143 of 151 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Before Elmo was king November 18, 2009

By Nicolette Clark

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This DVD set was nostalgic and at times almost brought tears to my eyes. For those parts (The ladybug picnic, The pinball counting to 12, the cartoon typewriter, the cast iron "I", etc) I would give it ten stars. Sesame Street literally shaped my life as a young child. I watched it religously until age seven (I'm thirty-five now). The reason for my three star rating is because of the lengthy songs and dull skits, which unfortunately took most of the time. Leena Horne singing didn't do it for me at five and she especially doesn't do it for me now at thrity-five. Sorry, but same to you Diana Ross. I wanted to see more of the aliens ("yep, yep, yep...nope, nope, nope"), Bert and Ernie, Super Grover, and the Tiddly-winks (who were suspiciously absent).

Watching this DVD made me realize how they should now call Sesame Street, just plain Elmo's World. That's who it's really all about now anyway. I loved the good old days when ALL the characters received equal billing. Now it seems like the first forty minutes of Sesame Street is just filler until Elmo, the big star, shows up. Don't get me wrong, I like Elmo, and so do my three little ones, but all the other characters have their own personalities and ability to teach as well. This DVD is a reminder of that.

So CTW if you're reading this, I would buy every single episode of Sesame Street from 1974-79 if you put it out on DVD. Stop teasing us with these short DVD releases showing only clips. To those of you who are thinking of purchasing this DVD set, I would get it, it is worth it. You're sure to see something that will bring back a memory.

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a wonderful DVD! November 10, 2009

By Amy Mcfarland TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

I grew up with Sesame Street, and now that my kids are 1 and 3, I'm falling in love with Sesame Street all over again. This is a fantastic DVD! It's literally packed with wonderful songs (like the Lady Bug Picnic), ABCs, counting, story time - all the things myself and my parents loved about the show when I was little. My son's favorite characters are Ernie and Bert, and some of the stand-alone DVDs I've bought for him over the past year barely mention them. With over 5 hours of Sesame Street on this set, Ernie and Bert get a little more screen time.
It's a good value too - the individual DVDs are ten or more dollars for 30-45 minutes, and this HUGE set is only 20. I'm very happy with my purchase.

43 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy 40th Anniversary Sesame Street November 10, 2009

By Edward Balen

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so glad I bought my Sesame Street 40 Years of Sunny Days. I just happen to be the same age, 40 to be exact, as the Street. This is the best title ever released of Sesame Street. It has footage, most of it, that does NOT appear on either of the Old School volumes. Two discs seems like small potatoes, but they're chock full of classic footage.

If you're a fan of Sesame Street, grew up with it, or just want the cream of the crop from the Street, buy this DVD package. Not only is it a classic collector's item, but will remain so for years to come. The Street has come this far, and they're no end to it. God bless Jim Henson, Frank Oz and the other geniuses that created this show.

In closing, come with me for a romp down Sesame Street, and a waltz down memory lane as well. That's what this is all about.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Complete List Of Every Segment... July 19, 2012

By Skywalk7

Format:DVD

Here is a complete listing of every segment in this collection. See if you can find your favorite:

DISC 1:
Season 1:
1. Sesame Street Opening -Opening theme from the very first season.
2. Henson #1 Song -A song all about the Number 1, where Jim Henson falls down a flight of stairs carrying 1 wedding cake.
3. Rubber Duckie -Ernie sings his renowned tune to his rubber duckie in the bathtub.
4. I Love Trash -An early clip from the series where an orange(!) Oscar sings his favorite tune about trash.
5. Batman Up/Around/Through -Animated educational clip from "Batman" cartoon.
6. If I Knew You Were Coming -Ernie sings this old show tune while baking a cake for an impatient Cookie Monster.
7. Bein' Green -Kermit the Frog sings his melancholy theme alone in his swamp.

Season 2
1. Bert & Ernie Banana In Ear -Ernie has a banana in his ear, driving Bert nuts.
2. Henson Queen Of Six -Stop-motion animated segment about the Queen of 6.
3. MAD Song -Some hippie Muppets sing about feeling angry.
4. Sorting Song With Cookie Monster -Cookie Monster sings "One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other" song with plates of cookies.

Season 3
1. Mad Painter #5 -An absent-minded painter looks for the perfect place to paint a Number 5.
2. Bienvenido Song -Bob and Louis sing a song half in English and in Spanish about going to a party.
3. Lady Bug Picnic -Popular animated segment about twelve lady bugs who have a picnic.

Season 4
1. Harry & John-John Count -Harry Monster and a child count to 20.
2. Talking Loud/Talking Soft -Some Muppet kids in a classroom demonstrate talking in a loud voice and a soft voice.
3.... Remembering Bread, Milk, Butter -Animated segment where a little girl runs to the store for her mother and remembers her shopping list all by herself.
4. Kermit News Sleeping Beauty -Kermit covers a news story about Prince Charming coming to rescue Sleeping Beauty, with unexpected results.
5. Bert & Ernie Bert's Bust -Ernie has constructed a statue of Bert, but it's missing a nose...

Season 5
1. Fat Cat -Some Muppets sing a rhyming song, where one of the singers keeps going berserk with the rhymes.
2. O-Orange Man -Animated segment where a man discovers an orange and proceeds to drink from it, draining all the color from the fruit.
3. Lena Horne: How Do You Do? -Lena Horne sings a song to a shy Grover about introducing himself.
4. Doin' The Pigeon -Bert demonstrates how to preform his favorite dance.

Season 6
1. Super Grover: Exit -Super Grover becomes trapped trying to rescue a child, who doesn't really need his help finding the exit to a playground.
2. Typewriter: N-Nose -Animated segment where a typewriter who sings "Nooo-nooo-nooo-nooo-nooo-nooo" is sneezed away by a large nose.
3. Invisible Ice Cream -A shady character tries to trick Ernie into buying fake ice cream.

Season 7
1. Pinball Animation #7 -Popular animated segment of the classic Pinball machine sung by the Pointer Sisters, featuring the Number 7.

Season 8:
1. People In Your Neighborhood -Bob et al sing the popular song about the people you meet in your neighborhood.

Season 9
1. Fonzie On/Off/On -The Fonz from Happy Days demonstrates "On" and "Off" with a jukebox.
2. Clips from Hawaii -Rare scenes from when the cast went to Hawaii, where they tried to get Mr. Hooper to go surfing, plus Snuffy being dropped onto the Island by helicopter.
3. I-Beam -Scenes of an I-beam being forged at a steel foundry.

Season 10
1. Telly Plugs In -Rare very unusual first-ever segment with Telly Monster.

Season 11
1. Star Wars: One You Go Beep -R2-D2 and C-3PO visit the Street to help Big Bird with his numbers.
2. Kermit News: Foot Snuggies -Kermit interviews a Dr. Nobel Price at his lab, where he has re-invented the sock.
3. Geometry Of Circles -Abstract animated segment of a colorful pattern being drawn onto a circle, to the sound of avant-garde vocalization.
4. Monsterpiece Theater: Me Claudius -Some Muppets give examples of the word "Me", and features Elmo with a very strange voice.
5. Martians: Radio -The "Yip Yip" aliens arrive on earth and discover a radio.
6. Me Lost Me Cookie At The Disco -Cookie Monster sings a song about a cookie he mislaid at a Disco.

Season 12
1. Hello Hello Hello Song -Big Bird and the cast address the viewing audience singing a song about saying "Hello".
2. Dancing Dog Imagines -Animated segment where a child is afraid there is an alligator under his bed, but it's just his singing, dancing dog fooling him.
3. Two-Headed Monster: Telephone -The Two-Headed Monster demonstrates using a Telephone.
4. Bring Your Own Can Night -Oscar tries to sneak his friends into the movies, hiding all of them in his trash can.
5. Mister Rogers Returns -Mr Rogers (of Mr Rogers' Neighborhood) discusses the concept of imagination with Big Bird.

Season 13
1. Making Crayons -A girl gazes into an orange crayon, which leads to a music video of crayons being made at the Crayola factory.
2. Diana Ross: Believe In Yourself -Diana Ross sings to Big Bird a song about having confidence.
3. Bert & Ernie: Fish Call Quiet/Loud -Ernie demonstrates to Bert his unorthodox method of catching fish.
4. Madeline Kahn: Friendship Song -Madeline Kahn teaches a song to some of Big Bird's little feathered friends.

Season 14
1. Honker Duckie Dinger Jamboree -Ernie sings a lively tune at a farm with his Rubber Duckie, along with some Honkers and Dingers.
2. James Taylor: Jellyman Kelly -James Taylor sings to a bunch of kids about a man who loves to eat jelly.
3. Bert & Ernie Snowman -Bert has to explain to Ernie that his snowman will not be lonely when they leave the park, as it is not alive.
4. We All Sing The Same Song -Kids sing a song at a playground about the differences and similarities between people.

Season 15
1. Teeny Little Super Guy -Super Guy helps his nephew become less nervous about starting school.
2. Just Because -Rare segment where the cast explains Mr. Hooper's death to a confused Big Bird.

Season 16
1. Peanut Butter Factory Song -A girl wonders how peanut butter is made, which leads to a music video showing peanut butter being made at a factory.
2. Smokey Robinson: U Got A Hold On Me -Smokey Robinson tries to elude a clingy Letter "U" while singing a song to the tune of "You Got A Hold On Me".

Season 17
1. Elmo's Make Believe Trip -First-ever full-length segment featuring Elmo, where he prepares to leave on an imaginary trip.
2. Batty Bat Song -The Count sings about how he learned to dance and count.
3. Snuffy Is Seen -Rare segment where the cast sees Snuffy for the first time, who up until now had only been seen by Big Bird.

Season 18
1. Put Down The Duckie -(Celebrity Version) Hoots the Owl explains in a song to Ernie that he must put down his beloved rubber duckie if he wants to play the saxophone.
2. Sing Your Synonyms -Maria and Louis visit a museum and learn that although they use different words to describe what they see, they have the same meaning.

Season 19
1. Pee Wee Herman's Alphabet -Pee Wee Herman says his creepy lowercase alphabet.
2. Maria and Luis Get Married -Rare musical segment showing the cast attending the wedding of Maria and Luis.
3. African Alphabet -Kermit et al sing an African-style alphabet.

Season 20
1. OOOO-KLAHOMA! -Kermit directs a stage musical where lead singer Forgetfull Jones keeps singing the wrong vowel.
2. Meet The Baby -Rare segment where the cast meet Maria and Luis' newborn daughter, Gabby, at the hospital.

DISC 2:
Season 21
1. Monsterpiece Theater: The King And I -Grover (as the King) dances with a lowercase Letter "I".
2. AlphaQuest: Letter R -A girl wanders into a hall of doors and opens the door to the world of the Letter "R".
3. Monster In The Mirror -Grover sings the "Wubba Wubba" song. (Note: the version on this DVD is NOT the Celebrity version.)
4. Elmo's Song -Elmo shares a song he wrote with Big Bird and Snuffy.
5. Grover's Restaurant: Most Important Meal -Grover explains a food chain to a frustrated customer.

Season 22
1. Cecille The Ball: I'm Gonna Get To You -An orange ball with big lips sings about various ways to get around.

Season 23
1. Does Air Move Things? -The voice of Maria asks a man in a wind storm if air can move things, just before he blows away.
2. What's The Name Of That Song? -The cast sings a song where no one can completely remember the words, much to the chagrin of Oscar.

Season 24
1. Oh What A Fabulous Party -Wacky animated segment about some kooky characters at a party.

Season 25
1. Marilyn Horne: C Is For Cookie -Opera singer Marilyn Horne sings "C Is For Cookie" with operatic flair.

Season 26
1. Arrested Development: Pride -The group Arrested Development sing a song about having pride in who you are.
2. Dance Theater Of Harlem: Five Birds -Big Bird counts 5 Swan-Lake style ballet dancers.
3. Luxo Jr.: Front/Back -The Pixar lamp demonstrates "Front" and "Back".
4. My Name Is Zoe -Song where Zoe introduces herself and spells her name.
5. B Is For Bubble -Song showing kids blowing bubblegum.

Season 27
1. The Spin Doctors: Two Princes -The group The Spin Doctors visit Sesame Street and sing a song about Zoe's play date with Elmo and Telly to the tune of "Princes".

Season 28
1. Fay Family: To Market -Segment featuring anthropomorphic dogs acting out the rhyme "To Market To Market".

Season 29
1. Tony Bennett: Slimy To The Moon -Tony Bennett sings about Slimy the Worm's journey into space to the tune of "Fly Me To The Moon".
2. Count Me In -Song about how unique and special people are, showing people of various ethnicities dancing and celebrating.

Season 30
1. Patti La Belle: Gospel Alphabet -Patti La Belle sings a soulful alphabet with Muppet friends.

Season 31
1. The Goo Goo Dolls: Pride -The group The Goo Goo Dolls sing a song with Elmo about all the things he's proud of to the tune of "Slide".
2. Celebrity Sing -Various celebrities sing the tune "Sing".

Season 32
1. Robert DeNiro: The Actor Prepares -Robert DeNiro explains to Elmo how an actor mentally prepares for a role by imagining.
2. My Nest, My Home -Big Bird is distraught when his nest is destroyed after a hurricane hits the Street.
3. Elmo's World Games: Mr. Noodle -Mr. Noodle and his brother show Elmo how they jump rope.

Season 33
1. Bird On Me -Paper cut-out style animated segment where a hippo laments about some birds who won't get off his back.
2. Destiny's Child: New Way To Walk -The group Destiny's Child sings "New Way To Walk" with Zoe, Grover and Elmo.
3. Fire On The Street -After firefighters put out a grease fire at Hooper's Store, Elmo is too frightened to go back in.

Season 34
1. ABC Hip Hop -Miles, along with Elmo, Zoe, Telly and others and sing a hip-hop version of the alphabet song.

Season 35
1. TJ: Me And My Chair Song -Animated segment where a boy named TJ sings about how his wheelchair helps him get around.
2. Elmo's World: Lord Of The Feet -Elmo's pet fish Dorothy, imagines Elmo riverdancing.
3. Six Feet Under -Count Von Count watches his favorite TV program "Six Feet Under", where he counts six feet under a table.

Season 36
1. Alicia Keys: Dancin' -Alicia Keys and Elmo sing a song about how they love to dance to the tune of "Fallin'".
2. A Cookie Is A Sometimes Food -Hoots the Owl sings to Cookie Monster about making healthy food choices.

Season 37
1. Abby's Arrival -First-ever segment featuring the fairy-in-training Abby Cadabby.
2. Matt Lauer Interviews Cookie Monster -Matt Lauer interviews Cookie Monster asking him why he choose to eat fruit over cookies.
3. Law & Order Special Letters Unit -A Muppet version of Law & Order has trouble searching for a missing Letter "M".

Season 38
1. Can't Say The Alphabet Enough -Gabby, Maria and Gina sing the alphabet "Dream Girls" style.
2. I Love Every Part Of You -Rosita teaches Gina some Spanish words in a song.

Season 39
1. Feist 1234 -The Canadian music artist Feist sings about her favorite Number 4 with Muppet friends.
2. The Golden Triangle Of Destiny -"Texas Telly" has an Indiana Jones-style adventure learning about shapes.
3. David Beckham: Persistent -David Beckham guest stars in a segment with Elmo about the meaning of the word "Persistent".
4. Plain White T's -Animated segment where the group the Plain White T's provide the singing voices for some singing Letter Ts to the tune of "Hey There Delilah."
5. Neil Patrick Harris: The Shoe Fairy -Neil Patrick Harris sings a song about being the Shoe Fairy.
6. Bert & Ernie's Great Adventures: Penguin -Clay animated segment where Bert and Ernie trek to Antarctica and look after a penguin egg.

Season 40
1. Guess The Seasons Song -Abbey, Rosita and Zoe sing about the seasons of the year.
2. D-Dance -The Muppets do their own version of the iPod silhouette ad.

(The following section of this review may contain spoilers, as it describes the Easter Eggs and more.)

Special Features Disc 1:
1. Pop-Up Facts
2. Behind The Street
3. TV Montage
4. Fan Favorite: Ernie has a series of strings around his fingers, but can't remember what any of them are for.
5. Credits
6. Easter Egg: Slow camera pan of original set.

Special Features Disc 2:
1. Pop-Up Facts
2. Behind The Street
3. Bonus Behind The Street Scenes
4. TV Montage
5. Preview New Segment: Abby's Flying Fairy School
6. Credits
7. Easter Egg: Time-lapse footage of present-day set being constructed.

Bonus 23-page booklet with info and facts of the history of the show.

(spoilers end)

I do have one minor problem with this DVD set- it is not closed-captioned. I myself am not hard of hearing, but I did want to simply read some of the lyrics of the songs, just for fun. I turned on the captioning on my TV set, and there were no captions. Nor is there a "language" menu on the DVD set to activate any captioning, either. The carton makes no mention of captions, either. So if your audience is hard of hearing or deaf, you may want to skip this DVD set. It's a shame it's not closed-captioned, which is pretty surprising, for an educational DVD.

I was also disappointed that some of the segments I remember most do not appear on this set ("The Telephone Rock" song; "The Word Is No" song; "Elmo And The Lavender Moon" song; "I'm A Little Airplane" song; "Monster In The Mirror" (Celebrity version); Elmo's "Imagination" song; "The African Animal Alphabet"; "I Don't Want To Live On The Moon" song; "Under The Street" song; etc.) But I realize that an entire collection featuring EVERY segment ever produced might be about 12 discs and 60 hours long!

I think they include pretty much all the popular ones here; not everybody has a TV memory as good as mine! But I'm hoping that CTW will someday release a Definitive "Ultimate Fan Collection"- that would be great.

Until then, we'll be more than satisfied with this memorable, very well presented DVD set. Read more ›