Millions of children trooped home from school every day, eager to hear Fred Rogers sing "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" and watch a television program designed especially for them. The beloved show, filled with affection and warmth, truly touched the hearts of young ones for many years, through good times and bad, through playful puppets, memorable songs, wonderful characters and a faithful trolley.

Now a new film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, promises to reawaken fond memories for adults and introduce young ones to a genuinely-loving character who lit up the lives of everyone around him. Let's learn more about Fred Rogers.

Who is Mr. Rogers?

Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, Fred Rogers graduated from college with a degree in music and began working in television, quickly gravitating toward programs made for children. Drawing from his own memories as a shy, sickly, lonely child who came out of his shell in high school, Rogers wanted to encourage and nurture children to become their best selves. His natural ease and comfort in talking with children was noted by others and he began hosting his own TV program in Canada. Rogers also devoted himself to learning more about educating children, in concert with his ordination as a Presbyterian minister. He decided to return with his wife and two sons to Pittsburgh and started hosting the program that later became known as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

How long did the TV show run?

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood began airing nationally in 1968 and continued until 1975, when Fred Rogers decided to focus on programs for adults. He resumed production on the show in 1979 and new episodes continued until August 2001. In all, more than 900 episodes were produced. The show's predecessor, known simply as Misterogers, aired on Canadian television from 1962 to 1966, followed by the show's broadcast on Northeast US TV stations from 1966 to 1968. Fred Rogers was a major presence on children's programming for more than 50 years.

What else did he accomplish, in addition to the TV show?

Married to the same woman for more than 50 years, Fred Rogers and his wife raised two sons. Rogers was known for having a spiritual life, studying a variety of faiths and cultures. He delighted in answering every letter sent to him and enjoyed swimming daily. Rogers also became a noted commencement speaker and received dozens of honorary degrees. He earned a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2001. He also wrote dozens of books, both for children and adults, and released a number of musical recordings.

Have any other movies been made about him?

Fred Rogers and his show have been acknowledged as influences upon other children's television programs by their creators, including Arthur, Wonder Pets and Blue's Clues. Famously, Eddie Murphy lovingly parodied the show on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s. Until recently, however, no movies had been made about Fred Rogers.

What about the documentary and its accolades?

Directed by Morgan Neville, the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? examined the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, featuring interviews with his widow Joanne Rogers, his sons John Rogers and Jim Rogers, and his sister Elaine Rogers, as well as a variety of friends and coworkers. The film became the highest-grossing biographical documentary of all time and received nearly unanimous critical praise. Nabbing numerous nominations, it ultimately won three Critics' Choice Documentary Awards, a Gotham Award, a Producers Guild of American Award and an Independent Spirit Award.

Who stars in this film and what is it about?

Matthew Rhys, known for his role as a Russian spy on TV's The Americans, plays Lloyd Vogel, a cynical, award-winning journalist who reluctantly accepts an assignment to interview Fred Rogers, portrayed by Tom Hanks. Vogel's perspective on life is profoundly altered by his encounters with the genuinely kind and humble Rogers.

Watch the trailer below.

When can we see it?

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood will open in theaters everywhere on November 22, 2019. Sign up for a FANALERT® and be the first to know when tickets and other exclusives are available in your area.