''Jack London's Tales of the Klondike'' is a
Canadian
Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...
produced
television drama miniseries which was produced by William Macadam's Norfolk Communications and aired on
CBC Television
CBC Television (also known as CBC TV) is a Canadian English-language broadcast television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster. The network began operations on September 6, 1952. Its French-l ...
in 1981 and in the UK, Germany, France and other countries around the world as ''a Norfolk production'' produced by William I. Macadam
Premise
This series of seven 52 minute 16mm colour films made for television episodes featured dramatised versions of
Jack London
John Griffith Chaney (January 12, 1876 – November 22, 1916), better known as Jack London, was an American novelist, journalist and activist. A pioneer of commercial fiction and American magazines, he was one of the first American authors to ...
's works, narrated by
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...
.
and included in the international cast
Eva Gabor
Eva Gabor ( ; February 11, 1919 – July 4, 1995) was a Hungarian-American actress, businesswoman, singer, and socialite. She voiced Duchess and Miss Bianca in the animated Disney Classics, ''The Aristocats'' (1970), ''The Rescuers'' (1977), ...
,
John Candy,
Robert Carradine,
Scott Hylands,
Cherie Lunghi,
Mavor Moore,
Neil Munroe,
John Ireland,
Linda Sorenson and
Tom Butler.
When George Washington Carmack struck gold in the Klondike on August 17, 1896, Jack London was a struggling writer in San Francisco.The lure of gold was irresistible and he joined the many thousands on their trek to Canada's harsh northwestern frontier. Many died, most were unlucky, only a few struck it rich.
Jack London never found gold. Instead he discovered a wealth of true stories which formed the basis of his Tales of the Klondike. and this television series.
When the world Rang to the Tales of Arctic Gold and the lure of the North gripped the heartstrings of man
Among the many thousands who made the long trek to Canada's northwest frontier during the Klondike gold rush was a writer from San Francisco, Jack London. His stories evoking the harsh, mysterious Arctic landscape and its inhabitants made him one of the twentieth century's most successful storytellers.
Here are the best of those tales which from the powerful portrayal of greed and madness in 'The One Thousand Dozen' to essential instinct for survival reflected in 'Love of Life', reveal London's remarkable gift for observing the diversity of human character and emotion.
"He was the true king of our storytellers, the brightest star that flashed upon our skies" - Upton Sinclair, Author of The Jungle
Scheduling
The seven part television hour-long series (52 minute running time allowing for commercials at beginning and end) was broadcast by
CBC in Canada on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern) from 16 May to 21 June 1981. It was rebroadcast on Fridays from 14 May to 18 June 1982. It was also broadcast with French subtitles by the CBC/Radio-Canada in Quebec. The series was broadcast in the UK on
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...
, and in France, Germany and a number of countries around the world.
Episodes, lead actors, screenwriters and directors
The One Thousand Dozen
Starring
Neil Munro and Ray Whelan. Screenplay by Robert B. Carney, Directed by
Peter Rowe
Love of Life
Starring
Doug McGrath. Directed by
David Cobham
In A Far Country
Starring
Scott Hylands and
Robert Carradine. Screenplay by
Carol Bolt
Carol Bolt (August 25, 1941 – November 28, 2000) was a Canadian playwright. She was a founding member and, for several years, president of the Playwrights Union of Canada.
Career
Bolt's play ''Buffalo Jump'', an examination of Canada during ...
. Directed by Janine Manatis.
Scorn of Women
Starring
Eva Gabor
Eva Gabor ( ; February 11, 1919 – July 4, 1995) was a Hungarian-American actress, businesswoman, singer, and socialite. She voiced Duchess and Miss Bianca in the animated Disney Classics, ''The Aristocats'' (1970), ''The Rescuers'' (1977), ...
,
Tom Butler,
Kerrie Keane
Kerrie Keane is a Canadian actress.
She graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1970.
Her early film career included roles in '' The Incubus'' (1982), '' Spasms'' (1983), ''Morning Man'' (1986) and '' Bates Mot ...
, Sarah Torgov and
Linda Sorenson. Screenplay by R.B.Carney, Directed by
Claude Fournier.
Finis
Starring
Stephen McHattie, David Bowes and Chris Wiggins, Screenplay by Robert B. Carney, Directed by
David Cobham
The Unexpected
Starring
John Candy,
Cherie Lunghi,
Mavor Moore and Patrick Bernier. Screenplay by Robert B. Carney with Ratch Wallace. Directed by
Peter Pearson
The Race For Number One
Starring
David Ferry,
George Buza and
John Ireland. Directed by
David Cobham
Series main production personnel
Producer: William I. Macadam
Series Film Editor: Stephen Lawrence
Series Assistant Film Editor: Gillian Jones
Series Story Editor:
Peter Wildeblood
Peter Wildeblood (19 May 1923 – 14 November 1999) was an Anglo-Canadian journalist, novelist, playwright and gay rights campaigner. He was one of the first men in the UK publicly to declare his homosexuality.
Early life
Peter Wildeblood was ...
Series Production Manager: Duane Howard
Series Assistant Director: John Bell
Series Production Supervisor: John A. Delmage
Unit Manager: Nicole Tardif
Production Accountants:
Mark Moore
Cynde Scott
Jeff W. Long
Marr Morgan
Martha Porter
Production Co-Ordinator: Paul Kent
Norfolk's co-production (presale) partners
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (french: Société Radio-Canada), branded as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian public broadcaster for both radio and television. It is a federal Crown corporation that receives funding from the government. ...
, Toronto
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...
, London
Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich
Telecip, Paris
S.E.P.I., Milano
Primetime Television, London
Book published to coincide with the series airing
''Tales of the Klondike'' – Jack London. Penguin Books republished the Jack London stories to coincide with the release of the television series using the title fonts and style and cover photos from the series.
[Penguin Books, 1983, ]
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jack London's Tales of the Klondike
CBC Television original programming
1981 Canadian television series debuts
1981 Canadian television series endings
1980s Canadian drama television series
1980s Canadian television miniseries