''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

, 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

, 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

* * {{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