Watch Folio (1955) Online!
Folio, a precursor to CBC's renowned fine-arts series Festival, aired for four years starting in 1956. The series showcased original dramas, music compositions, and ballets, many originating from diverse regions across Canada. Notable episodes featured Barry Morse in a new staging of MacBeth, along with performances by Canadian talents like Robert Goulet and Sharon Acker. One of the highlights included a musical adaptation of the beloved Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. Airing without sponsorship, Folio thrived until its conclusion in the fall of 1960. Producers: Robert Allen, Harvey Hart, David Greene, Mario Prizek and Ronald Weyman.
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Episode 1 - S2.E1 ∙ HMS Pinafore
Release Date: 1956-10-31A sailor falls for the daughter of his captain, while being unaware of the love a young country girl holds for him.
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Episode 2 - S2.E2 ∙ The Case of Posterity Versus Joseph Howe
Release Date: 1956-11-07 -
Episode 3 - S2.E3 ∙ The Devil's Instrument
Release Date: 1956-11-14Story about a farm boy torn between the discipline imposed by the code of belief and obedience of his people and his desire to express himself as a free human being. Written by W.O. Mitchell Directed by David Greene Cast: Douglas Rain ..... Jacob Schunk Jack Creley ........ Peter the Goose Boss Margot Christie Larry D. Mann Ron Hartmann Janet Reid Leonard Ontkean Henry Comor Murray Westgate Daryl Masters Frank Perry Bill Walker David Toguri
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Episode 4 - S2.E4 ∙ Dawn, Day, and Night
Release Date: 1956-12-05The story is about a daring young man who wins a duel, then fences romantically with a beautiful young woman he's met in an Italian garden. 05Dec1956 Adapted by Robert Rietty Play by Dario Niccodemi Cast: Robert Goulet Toby Robins
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Episode 5 - S2.E5 ∙ Swan Lake
Release Date: 1956-12-12Performance by the National Ballet Company of Canada of SWAN LAKE Produced by Norman Campbell Narrator Barry Morse Cast: David Adams ..... Prince Siegfried Lois Smith .......... Princess Odette / Odile Ray Moller .......... Benno David Kerval ....... Von Rothbart Jacqueline Ivings ... Princess Mother Betty Pope ........... Peasant girl Angela Leigh .... Swan maiden Lillian Jarvis ...... Swan Maiden
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Episode 6 - S2.E6 ∙ The Nativity
Release Date: 1956-12-192.06 [36] CBC Folio: THE NATIVITY 19Dec1956 Produced by Robert Allen Written by Andrew Allan Directed by Elmer Iseler Music sung by the Festival Singers Cast: Janet Reid ....... Virgin Mary John Drainie .... Joseph Barry Morse ....... King Herod Al King ............... Reader Douglas Rain ..... Shepherd Richard Easton ... Shepherd James Edmond .... Shepherd Lloyd Bochner ..... King Powys Thomas .... King Robert Christie ..... King Maud Whitmore ..... Maid Harold Burke ..... Soldier Frank Mathias .... Soldier Roland Bull ........ Messenger Vernon Chapman ...... Herod's Courtier
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Episode 7 - S2.E7 ∙ Gianni Schicchi
Release Date: 1956-12-262.07 [37] CBC Folio: GIANNI SCHICCHI 26Dec1956 Produced by Mario Prizek Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano Conductor George Crum Cast: Andrew MacMillan .... Gianni Schicchi Angela Antonelli ....... Lauretta Jon Vickers ........ Rinuccio John Harcourt Patricia Rideout Don McManus Glenn Gardiner Sylvia Grant Bernard Johnson Bertrand Turgeon Marry Morrison Alexander Gray Ernest Adams
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Episode 8 - S2.E8 ∙ The Changing Shore
Release Date: 1957-01-02A documentary about the south shore of Nova Scotia. Producer, Writer, Commentator J. Frank Willis
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Episode 9 - S2.E9 ∙ 56 in Revue
Release Date: 1957-01-09A satirical year-end musical. Produced by Harvey Hart Cast: Donald Harron Pierre Berton Bernie Orenstein Sammy Sales Wayne and Shuster Rod Coneybeare Mavor Moore and Max Ferguson.
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Episode 10 - S2.E10 - Oedipus Rex
Release Date: 1957-01-16A filmed version of the Stratford Festival production of OEDIPUS REX Cast: Douglas Campbell ......... Oedipus Eric House ..................... Priest Robert Goodier .......... Creon Donald Davis .............. Tiresias Eleanor Stuart ............ Jocasta William Shatner Bruno Gerussi Robert Christie Ted Follows Barbara Franklin Roland Bull Neil Vipond Bruce Swerfager William Hutt Douglas Rain Tony Van Bridge Louis Negin Grant Reddick Gertrude Tyas Naomi Cameron David Gardner Richard Howard Roland Hewgill Edward Holmes James Manser
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Episode 11 - S2.E11 ∙ The Secret Agent
Release Date: 1957-01-30Mr. Verloc runs a dubious bookshop in a London slum; but he is also the secret agent of a foreign power. Written by Joseph Conrad
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Episode 12 - S2.E12 ∙ John A. And the Double Wedding
Release Date: 1957-02-06Story about Sir John A. Macdonald and his attempt to bring about the union of British North America. Produced by Mario Prizek Cast: Tommy Tweed ...... Sir John A. Macdonald Robert Christie Aileen Seaton John Drainie Frank Perry
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Episode 13 - S2.E13 ∙ The Dance And The Drama
Release Date: 1957-02-13Cast: Emily Frankel and Mark Ryder of the Dance Drama Company of New York give their interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. Jose Limon, Lucas Hoving and Mr. Limon's company of dancers give their version of Eugene O'Neill's Emperor Jones. Producer Harvey Hart Victor Feldbrill conducts the orchestra.
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Episode 14 - S2.E14 ∙ The Empty Frame
Release Date: 1957-02-27Louise, a rich young girl from Saskatchewan comes to Paris to take a course in art, and in a pension haunted by artists and their models she meets Max, a lady-charmer of uncertain origin. Max follows the path of "non-involvement" because to him art must remain pure; to become involved in anything leads inevitably to action, and action means failure to some degree. So he paints pictures in his mind, writes poems in his head, and plays ("brilliantly") a violin without strings. Louise manages to involve him, however, and gets both Max and her courses mixed up. Produced by Mario Prizek Written by Lister Sinclair Cast: Corinne Conley .......... Louise Lloyd Bochner James Doohan Anna Reiser
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Episode 15 - S2.E15 ∙ Ring Around the Square
Release Date: 1957-03-06Scene: a city where Byron Moon, gyrating "rock 'n roll" singer has set off a wave of teen-age hysteria. Action: a serious-minded young reporter named Susan, who is revolted by Moon's antics, is assigned to cover the story. Conclusion: Moon may not be as "gone" as the "square" Susan thought. Produced by Norman Campbell Musical comedy by Saul Ilson, based on the book by Jacqueline Rosenfeld Ring Around the Square is conducted by Gordon Kushner Musical arrangements by Phil Nimmons Choreographed by Gladys Forrester Cast: Shirley Harmer ...... Susan Shane Rimmer ........ Byron Moon Drew Thompson ....... Abner Larry Moon ........ Sam Jack Duffy ........... Jimmie
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Episode 16 - S2.E16 ∙ Proud Passage
Release Date: 1957-03-27A touching drama depicts Dr. Neil McCulloch's struggle between career aspirations and devotion to Cape Breton Island. Set to depart for Montreal after returning to take over his mentor's practice, Neil's plans shift when his ailing childhood friend Jamie prompts a pivotal choice between ambition and loyalty. Producer Robert Allen Written by Joseph Schull Cast: Douglas Rain ........ Dr. Neil McCulloch Frances Hyland ..... Frances McCulloch Frank Peddie ......... Dr. Clearly Jonathan White ........ Jamie Anne Sass-Wilson ....... Aileen Jane Mallett ....... Mrs. Ogilvie Ruth Springford ....... Meg Alexander Webster ....... David Rex Devlin .......... Angus Brendan Dillon ........ Michael
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Episode 17 - S2.E17 - The Black Judge
Release Date: 1957-04-03The movie is an 18th-century Chinese murder mystery centred on an old law preventing death sentences unless the accused confessed. Judges faced the same torture and sentence if an innocent person had been wrongly convicted.
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Episode 18 - S2.E18 - Picasso / Maskerage
Release Date: 1957-04-10Two art films showcase Pablo Picasso's legacy: a documentary highlighting the Spanish painter and a Dutch short film called "Maskerage" on primitive African art. The Picasso documentary exhibits the 75-year-old artist crafting masterpieces in his French Riviera studio, displaying around 500 works that trace his career from early Spanish sketches around 1896 to his latest murals. Directed by Luciano Emmer, the film boasts a Flamenco musical score by Roman Vlad, with Picasso and Sergio Amidei involved in its creation.
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Episode 19 - S2.E19 - The Unburied Dead
Release Date: 1957-04-24A French resistance group—five men and a woman—was captured after a disastrous attack on a village. Facing the threat of torture and death, the prisoners grapple with their collective guilt and individual responses towards each other, their captors, and their dire circumstances. Produced by Mario Prizek Adapted by John Bethune from a translation by Kitty Black Play by Jean Paul Sartre Cast: Lorne Greene ........... Henri Lloyd Bochner .......... Jean Kate Reid .................. Lucie Rupert Davies ........... Canoris Jack Creley ............... Sobrier John Charlesworth .... Francois Ron Hartmann ........... Clochet
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Episode 20 - S2.E20 - Carmen
Release Date: 1957-05-01A two-hour performance of Bizet's opera is the second eason finale. From Bizet's opera Producer Franz Kraemer Conducted by Jean Beaudet Cast: Gloria Lane ........ Carmen Andre Turp ........ Don Jose Claire Gagnier .... Micaela Morley Meredith ........ Escamillo Don Garrard ............. Zuniga Bernard Johnson ......... Morales Patricia Snell .......... Frasquita Sylvia Grant ........ Mercedes Ernest Adams .......... El Remedado Bernard Turgeon ....... El Dancairo John Harcourt ....... Lillas Pastia