''Jack London's Tales of the Klondike'' is a

Canadian Canadians () 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 their being ''C ...

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, or simply CBC) is a Television in Canada, Canadian English-language terrestrial television, broadcast television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcasting, p ...

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 London (; 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 t ...

's works, narrated by

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...

. and included in the international cast

Eva Gabor Eva Gabor ( ; February 11, 1919 – July 4, 1995) was a Hungarian-American actress and socialite. Gabor voiced Duchess and Miss Bianca in the Disney animations ''The Aristocats'' (1970), ''The Rescuers'' (1977), and ''The Rescuers Down Under'' ...

John Candy John Franklin Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994) was a Canadian actor and comedian who is best known for his work in Hollywood (film industry), Hollywood films. Candy first rose to national prominence in the 1970s as a member of the Tor ...

Robert Carradine Robert Reed Carradine ( ; born March 24, 1954) is an American actor. A member of the Carradine family, he made his first appearances on television Western series such as ''Bonanza'' and his brother David's TV series, ''Kung Fu''. Carradine's fi ...

Scott Hylands Scott Hylands (born 1943), born Scott Hylands Douglas, is a Canadian actor who has appeared in movies, on television, and on the stage. Due to his longevity and versatility, critics have called him "one of Canada's greatest actors." Early years ...

Cherie Lunghi Cherie Mary Lunghi (born 4 April 1952) is an English film, television, theatre actress and voice-over artist. She is known for her roles in many British dramas. Her international fame stems from her role as Guenevere in the 1981 film ''Excalib ...

Mavor Moore James Mavor Moore (March 8, 1919 – December 18, 2006) was a Canadian writer, producer, actor, public servant, critic, and educator. He notably appeared as Nero Wolfe in the CBC radio production in 1982. Life and work Moore was born in Tor ...

, Neil Munro,

John Ireland John Benjamin Ireland (January 30, 1914 – March 21, 1992) was a Canadian-American actor and film director. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia and raised in New York City, he came to prominence with film audiences for his supporting roles i ...

Linda Sorenson Linda Sorenson (born January 19, 1940) is a Canadian film, television and voice actress, best known for playing Mrs. Stegman in ''Class of 1984'', Warden Howe in ''Murphy Brown'', Virginia Reeves in '' Material World'' and Isabelle Carrington in ...

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 CBC may refer to: Media * Cadena Baja California or Grupo Cadena, a radio and television broadcaster in Mexico * Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada's radio and television public broadcaster ** CBC Television ** CBC Radio One ** CBC Music ** ...

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 channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

, and in France, Germany and a number of countries around the world.

Episodes, lead actors, screenwriters and directors

Tales of the Klondike sales brochure details

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 Doug McGrath (born August 21, 1935) is a Canadian actor whose most notable role was that of "Pete" in the acclaimed Canadian film '' Goin' Down the Road'' (1970) and its sequel '' Down the Road Again'' (2011). He also played in acclaimed Canadi ...

. Directed by

David Cobham Michael David Cobham (11 May 1930 – 25 March 2018) was a British film and TV producer and director, best known for the film ''Tarka the Otter (1979 film), Tarka the Otter''. He was also a first-class cricketer. Early life Cobham was educated ...

In A Far Country Starring

and

. 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 the ...

. 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

. Screenplay by R.B.Carney, Directed by

Claude Fournier Claude Fournier may refer to: * Claude Fournier (revolutionary) (1745–1825), French personality of the Revolution * Claude Fournier (filmmaker) Claude Fournier (July 23, 1931 – March 16, 2023) was a Canadian film director, screenwriter, edi ...

. Finis Starring

Stephen McHattie Stephen McHattie Smith (born February 3, 1947) is a Canadian actor. Since beginning his professional career in 1970, he has amassed over 200 film and television credits. He won the Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in '' ...

, David Bowes and Chris Wiggins, Screenplay by Robert B. Carney, Directed by

The Unexpected Starring

and Patrick Brymer. Screenplay by Robert B. Carney with

Ratch Wallace Richard "Ratch" Wallace (November 7, 1944 - October 16, 2011) was a Canadian film and television actor, most noted for his recurring supporting role as Kenny Volker in the 1980s television series '' Seeing Things''. Born and raised in Toronto, Onta ...

. Directed by Peter Pearson The Race For Number One Starring David Ferry,

George Buza George Buza is an American and Canadian actor who is best known for voicing Beast (Dr. Hank McCoy) in '' X-Men: The Animated Series'' and ''X-Men '97''. Personal life Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he moved to Toronto, Ontario, as a young man and be ...

and

. Directed by

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 a British-Canadian journalist, novelist, playwright and gay rights campaigner. He was one of the first men in the UK to publicly declare his homosexuality. Early life Peter Wildeblood wa ...

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 (), branded as CBC/Radio-Canada, is the Canadian Public broadcasting, public broadcaster for both radio and television. It is a Crown corporation that serves as the national public broadcaster, with its E ...

, Toronto

, London

Bayerischer Rundfunk (; "Bavarian Broadcasting"), shortened to BR (), is a public broadcasting, public-service radio and television broadcaster, based in Munich, capital city of the Bavaria, Free State of Bavaria in Germany. BR is a member organization of the ARD (b ...

, Munich Telecip, Paris S.E.P.I., Milan 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 Television shows based on works by Jack London