Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1954 to 1959
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired weekly at the following times on CBC
November 1954 to May 1955 Thursdays 8:00-8:30
November 1955 to May 1956 Fridays 10:00-10:30
November 1956 to May 1958 Fridays 8:30-9:00
November 1958 to May 1959 Fridays 9:30-10:00
Based on the novel by Roger Lemelin, this was a weekly drama about the life and times of a working class family in Quebec. It debuted on Radio Canada, in French, in 1953 and was a huge hit in Quebec. It aired on the English network of CBC from 1954 to 1959, with the same cast, live. But the English-speaking audiences failed to grow after 4 seasons. The competition from American Networks, who beamed their signal into Canada, was too stiff and the show wasn’t renewed. What made this program special was its unique ability to entertain audiences, in two languages, with a continuing saga of one family in Post-War Quebec. It was a
[c]
Jean Duceppe, Paul Guèvremont & Amanda Alarie
genuine attempt to offer viewers some insight, albeit fictional, into the lives of their Quebecois neighbours.
Principal Cast:
Théophile Plouffe – Paul Guèvremont
Joséphine Plouffe – Amanda Alarie
Napoléon Plouffe – Emile Genest
Ovide Plouffe – Jean-Louis Roux, Marcel Houben
Guillaume Plouffe – Pierre Valcour
Cécile Plouffe – Denise Pelletier
Gédéon Plouffe – Doris Lussier
Démérise Plouffe – Nana de Varennes
–30–
Written by John Corcelli – April, 200