Attention fans of classic television—the next TV on Film Project screening is scheduled for Sun., Nov. 17 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.This fourth screening of vintage TV gems from my 16mm film collection will be shown as part of the inaugural Canadian International Television Festival. It takes place Nov. 15 – 17 in Toronto.
I’ve also been asked to moderate a couple of panels during the TV fest: one saluting Murdoch Mysteries (Sun., Nov. 17 at 4 p.m.) and one celebrating 40 years of the Royal Canadian Air Farce (tentatively scheduled for Saturday).
The TV on Film Project screening takes place in the more intimate Cinema 4, so act early as it seats just 150.
On the program:
Two in a Taxi(1966). NBC’s 1966-’67 Fall Preview reel introduced TV’s most enduring franchise—Star Trek. The clip shown on this preview reel is from “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” the second pilot shot for the series. Sally Kellerman is featured prominently in the clips but there are also glimpses of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy (sporting weird Spock eyebrows).
The reel also introduces The Monkees, Tarzan (with Ron Ely) and The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. with Stephanie Powers. Less memorable were new shows T.H.E. Cat (starring a young Robert Loggia), Hey Landlord!, Occasional Wife, The Hero (a comedy starring Richard Mulligan as the star of a TV western) and The Road West, an epic oater that went nowhere. There was also a short-lived variety series starring singer Roger Miller.
The film also features clips from NBC’s returning hits I Spy, Dean Martin, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, I Dream of Jeanie and Bonanza.
The comedy team Burns & Schreiber frame the fall preview reel.
There’ll also be at least one other half-hour network reel from a show dating from the same mid-‘60s period, complete with commercials from that time.
Advance tickets to the Fest will be available soon at the TIFF Bell Lightbox box office. They’re free, except for the handling charge.
