About this season
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.
Episodes (25)
1. S3.E1 ∙ Patience
Aired 31 October 1957
Producer Norman Campbell Libretto W.S. Gilbert Musical director Godfrey Ridout Cast: Shirley Martin .......... Patience Irene Byatt ............... Lady Jane Arthur Sclater .......... The Colonel Rex LeLacheur ........ The Major Peter Dimuantes ...... The Duke Isabelita Alonso ........ Lady Angela Murray Matheson ..... Reginald Bunthorne William Cole ............. Archibald Grosvenor Elaine Meek ............. Ella Yvonne O'Sullivan ... Saphir Norman Welsh ......... Solicitor Bella Sholom Barbara Strathdee Synopsis: Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience." Archibald Grosvenor, an "Idyllic" poet - Bill Cole; Reginald Bunthorne, a "Fleshly" poet - Murray Matheson.
2. S3.E2 ∙ Honey and Hoppers
Aired 7 November 1957
The tale follows farm-hand Jake, The Kid, Ma, old Matthew-behind-the-Rock, Albert Williams, and other townsfolk on the prairie. For 17 years, Mitchell's vivid imagination has made this fictional town as significant to many as their actual hometowns. Comedy by W.O. Mitchell Directed by Robert Allen Cast: John Drainie ........... Jake Johnny Washbrook .... The Kid Douglas Rain ......... Matthew-behind-the-rock Jack Creley .......... Albert Williams Aileen Seaton ......... Ma Frank Peddie .......... Mayor MacTaggart Paul Kligman Norman Welsh William Needles
3. S3.E3 ∙ Games And Rites
Aired 14 November 1957
A program of modern dance. Games, danced by the Donald McKayle company, and Rites, by the Pearl Lang company, are being combined in one program by producer Harvey Hart to form a symbolic picture of turbulent adolescence in contemporary society.
4. S3.E4 ∙ The Trial of James Whelan
Aired 21 November 1957
Story based on the murder of Confederation statesman D'Arcy McGee and the trial of his assassin, James Whelan. Play by Len Peterson Cast: Douglas Rain ......... James Whelan Robert Christie ....... Sir John A.Macdonald James Doohan Jack Creley Katharine Blake James Edmond Margaret Griffin Leo Leyden John Drainie Charmion King Ivor Barry Leo Leyden Larry Beattie Michael Conway Brendan Dillon George Luscombe
5. S3.E5 ∙ Look Ma, I'm Human
Aired 28 November 1957
Produced by Norman Campbell Play by Stan Daniels and Ray Jessel Directed by Norman Campbell Cast: Jack Duffy ......... Muk Irene Byatt ........ Hairy Mary Don McManus ..... Glump Jack Medhurst ..... Roget Thesaurus Norman Welsh Paul Kligman Marie Gauley Bruno Gerussi Carlu Carter Carol Starkman
6. S3.E6 - The Peace And The Plenty
Aired 5 December 1957
A documentary film by J. Frank Willis on British Columbia's Peace River country.
7. S3.E7 ∙ Mr. Bolfry
Aired 12 December 1957
Ironic comedy of good and evil, set in modern Scotland. Written by James Bridie Cast: James Donald ........ Mr. Bolfry Frank Peddie ......... Mr. McCrimmon Jane Mallett ............. Mrs. McCrimmon Douglas Rain ............ Cully Margaret Griffin ......... Jean Ian Hewitson ....... Cohen Sally Lewis ........ Morag
8. S3.E8 - Coppelia
Aired 19 December 1957
a ballet presentation COPPELIA Cast: Betty Pope Roy Moller
9. S3.E9 - Peer Gynt
Aired 26 December 1957
Play by Henrik Ibsen Directed by Michael Langham Cast: Bruno Gerussi ....... Peer Gynt Ann Casson .......... Aase Diana Maddox ...... Solveig Eric Christmas George McCowan Roberta Maxwell Douglas Rain Powys Thomas Ann Morrish Jeremy Wilkin William Needles Amelia Hall Edwin Stephenson
10. S3.E10 ∙ The Young Queen
Aired 2 January 1958
Play by Laurence Housman Cast: Claire Austin ....... Victoria Lloyd Bochner .... Albert Dickson Kerwin
11. S3.E11 ∙ Corinth House
Aired 9 January 1958
In this live television play set in London, a woman tries to convince others of the "insanity" of an older woman. Teleplay by John Bethune Play by Pamela Hansford Johnson Directed by Paul Almond Cast: Barbara Chilcott ........ Madge Donnythorpe Nora Nicholson ........ Miss Malleson Zillah Carter .............. Mrs. Beauclerc Diana Maddox .......... Nora Sarah Davies ............. Miss Figgis Earl Grey ................... Major Shales Hilary Vernon ............ Mrs. Heysham
12. S3.E12 ∙ Tosca
Aired 16 January 1958
Play by Victorien Sardou Cast: Ilona Kombrink ......... Tosca Giuseppe Campora ... Mario Cavaradossi James Milligan ............ Scarpia Andrew MacMillan ...... Sacristan Teresa Stratas ............. Un Pastore Don McManus Cecil Samchyshyn Ernest Adams Harry Mossfield
13. S3.E13 ∙ The Diary of a Scoundrel
Aired 23 January 1958
Adapted by Elspeth Cochran Translation by Rodney Ackland Play by Aleksandr Ostrovskiy Cast: William Hutt ........ Gloumov, the Scoundrel Jane Mallett ........ Mme. Gloumov Betty Leighton .... Mme. Tourasina Margaret Griffin ...... Mashenka Frank Peddie ......... Mamaev Mary Savidge .......... Kleopatra Leo Leyden ............ Kourchaev Larry Beattie ........... Gorodoulin Henry Comor ........ Golutvin Joan White ........... Mms. Maniefa Jacob Reinglas John Grima
14. S3.E14 ∙ Dark of the Moon
Aired 30 January 1958
Written by William Berney and Howard Richardson Cast: Nancy Malone ...... Barbara Allen John Glennon ...... Witch Boy Joan Blackman Cec Linder Josephine Barrington Jack Creley Mavor Moore
15. S3.E15 ∙ The Concert
Aired 6 February 1958
Producer Robert Allen Play Joseph Schull Cast: William Marshall ......... Richard Jennings Kate Reid ........... Anne Corinne Conley Murray Westgate Sarah Davies Leo Leyden Eleanor Beecroft Earl Grey
16. S3.E16 - The Ottawa Man
Aired 20 February 1958
17. S3.E17 ∙ A Month In The Country
Aired 27 February 1958
Adapted by Alwyne Whatsley Play by Ivan Turgenev Directed by Mario Prizek Cast: Kate Reid .......... Natalya Petrovna Don Francks ....... Alexey Beliayev Tony Brown ........... Kolya William Hutt ......... Rakitin Janet Reid ........... Vera William Needles .... Arkady Islayev Sammy Sales ......... Dr. Shpigelsky Michael Conway Barbara Tremain
18. S3.E18 ∙ Great Catharine
Aired 13 March 1958
Teleplay by John Bethune Play by George Bernard Shaw Directed by Barry Morse Cast: Katharine Blake ........ Catherine the Great Lorne Greene ........... Patiomkin Joseph Shaw ........... Edstaston Patricia Farmer Ruby Renaut
19. S3.E19 ∙ The Gay Deceivers
Aired 20 March 1958
Play by Oliver Goldsmith (based on the play "She Stoops to Conquer") Cast: Inga Swenson ......... Kate Hardcastle Donald Davis ........... Marlow Don Francks ........... Hastings Norman Welsh ....... Mr. Hardcastle Mary Savidge ......... Mrs. Hardcastle Kathy McNeil .......... Constance Gordon Foster ........ Tony Lumpkin Lillian Bozinoff ......... Betsy Bouncer Norman Ettlinger ..... Sir Charles Tom Kneebone ....... Diggory Leo Leyden ............. Landlord Peter Dimuantes Donald Ewer Ed Simay Chris Wiggins
20. S3.E20 ∙ The Baron Of Brewery Bay
Aired 27 March 1958
Teleplay by John Drainie Story by Stephen Leacock Directed by Norman Campbell Cast: John Drainie .......... Stephen Leacock Larry D. Mann Mary Savidge Norman Welsh Eric Clavering Tom Kneebone Chris Wiggins
21. S3.E21 ∙ The Turn Of The Screw
Aired 1 May 1958
A governess begins to wonder if her two young charges are the victims of a form of diabolical possession. Novel by Henry James Cast: Theresa Gray ....... Governess Elizabeth Benson Guy .... Miss Jessel William McGrath ............ Peter Quint Shirley Martin .......... Flora Billy Potton .......... Miles Judith Pierce ......... Mrs. Grose
22. S3.E22 ∙ Queen After Death
Aired 8 May 1958
Adapted by Richard Astor and Waldemar Hansen Translated by Jonathan Griffin Story by Henry de Montherlant Directed by Mario Prizek Cast: John Drainie ......... King Ferrante Kate Reid ............ Ines de Castro Frances Hyland ..... The Infanta Lloyd Bochner ....... Don Pedre Ron Hartmann ........ Egas Coelho Joseph Shaw .......... Alvar Gonealves Chris Wiggins ......... Don Eduardo Leslie Yeo ......... The Grand Admiral Gillie Fenwick ....... Don Christoval Rex Hagon ......... Dino del Moro Peter Needham ....... The Infante
23. S3.E23 ∙ Dreamstreet
Aired 15 May 1958
Based on the book by Jacqueline Rosenfeld Cast: Shirley Harmer ........ Nora Jones Murray Matheson .... Harry Hansen Robert Goulet Glenna Jones Sammy Sales Frank Peppiatt
24. S3.E24∙ A Phoenix Too Frequent
Aired 22 May 1958
Play by Christopher Fry Directed by Paul Almond Cast: Donald Harron ....... Tegeus Chromis Rosemary Harris .... Dynamene Helen Burns ........... Doto
25. S3.E25 ∙ Socrates
Aired 29 May 1958
Sinclair's play encompasses Socrates' life, from being hailed as the wisest man to his trial, betrayal, and eventual demise by drinking hemlock. It aims to capture the essence of the philosopher's existence. Play by Lister Sinclair Directed by Mario Prizek. Cast: Frank Peddie ......... Socrates Barry Morse ........... Crito Lloyd Bochner ....... Agathon Donald Davis ......... Alcibiades Larry Mann ............ Aristophanes Joe Austin ............. Kratinos Ivor Barry ............... Philip John Vernon ........ Cyrus Leo Leyden ........... Megillus Zillah Carter ........... Xanthippe Henry Comor ......... Meletus Gillie Fenwick ........ Triptolemus Robert Goodier ...... Sergeant Harold Burke ......... Farmer Kay Hawtrey ........... Farmer's wife