Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1965 to 1966
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired Sunday nights at 10 from July to September 1965 and again in 1966.
This two season program offered viewers some very diverse and interesting documentaries. Most of the producers worked for This Hour Has Seven Days, and while that show was on summer hiatus, Compass filled part of the Sunday night schedule. John Kennedy was the executive producer. Under his guidance, the young and dynamic producers in public affairs had some creative latitude.
The first season featured a documentary about a family of ethnically diverse children who were adopted. It was produced by Brian O’Leary. The same show featured a short play by the Reverend Malcolm Boyd in which whites live in a society dominated by blacks. Other programs included a profile of Father Daniel Egan who founded a clinic for drug addicts in New York, produced by Beryl Fox. A profile of Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni produced by Peter Pearson; a look at interstellar communications by Jim Carney, and Sam Levene’s documentary that looked into the assimilation of Jews in society.
The second season opened on a lighter note, featuring members of the Second City cast of Chicago. The show was called A Sign of the Times and featured Dave Broadfoot, Dinah Christie and Barrie Baldaro. This episode was produced by Ross McLean and directed by David Ruskin. Other programs included Larry Zolf’s The Establishment of English Canada; Patrick Watson’s interview with Norman Podhoretz and Glenn Sarty’s profile of The Checkmates, a contemporary pop music band.
Executive Producers: John Kennedy and Jim Carney
Producers: Patrick Watson, Larry Zolf, David Ruskin, Ross McLean, Glenn Sarty, Alex Brown, Beryl Fox, Brian O’Leary, Peter Pearson and Sam Levene.
Written by John Corcelli – April, 2005