The Newcomers (miniseries)

The Newcomers was a series of seven hour-long Canadian television specials that aired from 1977 to 1980 on CBC Television. These dramas explored the theme of Canada as a nation built by immigrants, spanning from the era before Canada was founded until modern times. The series was sponsored by Imperial Oil to mark the company's 100th anniversary in 1980. The series was produced by Nielsen-Ferns.[1] McClelland and Stewart published a related book in 1979.[2]

The Newcomers
Original title screen
GenreDrama, Historical
Theme music composerHagood Hardy
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producerGordon Hinch
ProducersRichard Nielsen and Pat Ferns
Production locationVarious locations across Canada
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkCBC
Original release20 November 1977 (1977-11-20) 
19 November 1979 (1979-11-19)

A French version aired on Radio-Canada with the title Les Arrivants.

The opening theme music for the series was composed by Hagood Hardy.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Prologue"Eric TillCharles Israel20 November 1977 (1977-11-20)
Filmed in British Columbia, this opening episode focused on the Tsimshiam, and told the story of Ksaweal's rite of passage and test before becoming the chief.
2"1847"Eric TillAlice Munro8 January 1978 (1978-01-08)
This episode was about Mary Thompson Norris (Linda Goranson), a woman who left Ireland for North America to join her husband (David McIlwraith) who had left some time earlier, only to have him die of cholera by the time she arrived.[3]
3"1740"Claude FournierStory by: Guy Fournier
Teleplay by: Claude Fournier
19 March 1978 (1978-03-19)
Set in what is now Quebec, this story is about Nicholas de Lugny (played by Michel Côté), a soldier bearing the hardships of a new land and learning how to live as a pioneer in New France.
4"1832"John McGreevyTimothy Findley10 December 1978 (1978-12-10)
A look at John Symons (played by Kenneth Welsh), a Scottish radical who works against the adversity of settling Canada, and takes advantage of what opportunities are available to him to become a wealthy landowner.

Chris Wiggins makes an appearance in this episode.
5"1911"Eric TillStory by: Richard Nielsen
Teleplay by: Timothy Findley
18 February 1979 (1979-02-18)
Hans and Camila Nielsen are the subject of this installment. They emigrated from Denmark to a company town in New Brunswick.

Guest starring Hollis McLaren as Camilla and R.H. Thomson as Hans. Fiona Reid also appears.
6"1927"Rene BonnièreStory by: George Ryga
Teleplay by: George Ryga and Charles Israel
11 March 1979 (1979-03-11)
John Lypa, a Ukrainian homesteader in Saskatchewan, suffers through the Depression. While he has to look for work as a labourer, his young wife takes care of the farm. After she dies, their son is placed with relatives in the city, and Lepa is left embittered and alone. This episode is set both in the present of the 1970s and the 1920s in flashback sequences.

Ken Pogue plays the Older Lypa while Duncan Regehr plays the Younger Lypa as seen in flashbacks.
7"The Present (aka 1978)"Rene BonnièreStory by: David Humphreys
Teleplay by: Douglas Bowie
19 November 1979 (1979-11-19)
The story of an Italian family in Toronto, and the clash of old world, rural values with those of a modern, city-centred society. Filmed in and around Toronto and in Italy.

Guest starring Bruno Gerussi of The Beachcombers. Also appearing were two semi-regulars of King of Kensington Ardon Bess and Bob Vinci.

All seven episodes were re-aired between 12 March and 2 April 1980.

References

  1. Corcelli, John (September 2005). "Newcomers, The". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. Charles E. Israel, ed. (1979). The Newcomers. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart. ISBN 978-0771001581.
  3. Blaik Kirby, "The Irish Newcomers – no TV formula here". The Globe and Mail, 6 January 1978.
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