Free to Be… You and Me

The story

Free to Be…You and Me, a project of the Ms. Foundation for Women, is a record album, and illustrated book first released in November 1972, featuring songs and stories from many current celebrities of the day (credited as "Marlo Thomas and Friends") such as Alan Alda, Rosey Grier, Cicely Tyson, Carol Channing, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross, among others. An ABC Afterschool Special using poetry, songs, and sketches, followed two years later in March 1974. The basic concept is to encourage a post-60's gender neutrality, while saluting values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one's identity. A major thematic message is that anyone, whether a boy or a girl, can achieve anything.

Cast

M Marlo ThomasSelf - Host A Alan AldaSelf H Harry BelafonteSelf M Mel BrooksBaby Boy (voice) R Rita CoolidgeSelf B Billy De WolfeThe Principal (voice) R Roberta FlackSelf / Young Girl R Rosey GrierSelf M Michael JacksonSelf / Young Boy K Kris KristoffersonSelf B Bobby MorseDudley Pippin (voice) T Tom SmothersSelf

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C Cicely TysonSelf D Dionne WarwickSelf P Peter DuPreSelf S Stuart PankinMan in the Maternity Ward D Dustin HoffmanSelf (scenes deleted) J June AngelaSelf (uncredited) C Carol ChanningSelf (voice) (uncredited) R Rafer JohnsonSelf (uncredited) R Ron MarshallVoices (uncredited) D Diana SandsSelf (uncredited)