Pierre Berton

Pierre Berton

Born: July 12, 1920
Died: November 30, 2004
in Whitehorse - Yukon Territory - Canada
Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a Canadian writer, journalist and broadcaster. Berton wrote 50 best-selling books, mainly about Canadiana, Canadian history and popular culture. He also wrote critiques of mainstream religion, anthologies, children's books and historical works for youth. He was a reporter and war correspondent, an editor at Maclean's Magazine and The Toronto Star and, for 39 years, a guest on the TV series Front Page Challenge. Hosting "The Pierre Berton Show" from 1962-1973, he showcased his talents as a broadcaster.

His debut novel "Klondike" (1958), delved into the gold rush, drawing from his father's experiences. Known for narrating Canadian history, Berton's works balance the nation's triumphs and darker aspects, earning him prestigious awards like the Stephen Leacock Medal and multiple Governor General's Awards. He was a founder of the Writers' Trust of Canada, and won many honours and awards

His legacy endures through the Pierre Berton Award, honouring exceptional presentations of Canadian history.

Movies for Pierre Berton...

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Title: Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Character: Self - Interviewer (archive footage)
Released: October 22, 2000
Type: Movie
Documentary on the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, with a focus on the production of his unfinished film Game of Death. Using interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Lee aficionado John Little paints a portrait of the world's most famous action hero, concluding with a new cut of Game of Death's action finale, reconstructed from Lee's notes and recently-recovered footage.
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Niagara: A History of the Falls
Title: Niagara: A History of the Falls
Character: Self - Author
Released: January 31, 1999
Type: Movie
The history of Niagara Falls and the people that made it famous.
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Title: Life and Times
Character: Self
Released: October 4, 1996
Type: TV
Life and Times was a series of biographical documentary films broadcast by CBC Television, CBC Country Canada and CBC Newsworld. It was hosted by Ann-Marie MacDonald and first appeared in 1996, ending in 2007. The show won many awards during its run, including Gemini Awards and Leo Awards.
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Love Circles
Title: Love Circles
Character: Count Crespi
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
French erotic auteur Gerard Kikoine makes the world his canvas in this sexy roundelay of intimate encounters across the globe. Following a pack of cigarettes that ends up with partner after partner, the film moves from Paris to Rome, Cannes, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and New York, exposing carnal couplings that take place everywhere from a furniture store to an airplane cockpit. Marie-France, Sophie Berger and Josephine Jacqueline Jones co-star.
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Raoul Wallenberg: Buried Alive
Title: Raoul Wallenberg: Buried Alive
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: December 1, 1983
Type: Movie
A profile of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, the film covers his role in saving the lives of Jewish refugees from the Holocaust, as well as exploring the evidence that he may still have been alive in a Soviet gulag as late as the early 1980s.
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The Dionne Quintuplets
Title: The Dionne Quintuplets
Character: Narrator
Released: November 19, 1978
Type: Movie
In 1934, Elzire Dionne delivered five identical girls. The Dionne Quintuplets follows Cecile, Emilie, Marie, Yvonne and Annette through twenty-one years of strange upbringing. When the girls were just infants, the premier of Ontario issued a court order removing them from parental care. Cut off from the world and their family, over-publicized, viewed twice daily in a special viewing compound, they grew up as prize exhibits. Director Donald Brittain uses old newsreel footage, home-movie sequences and interviews to depict a historic event that became a tragic exploitation of a family.
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The Hecklers
Title: The Hecklers
Character: Self - "Unknown Cartoonist"
Released: January 1, 1975
Type: Movie
An imaginative history of editorial cartooning in Canada. The documentary provides a witty take on Canada's history through the eyes of political cartoonists like Duncan Macpherson, Robert LaPalme, and Aislin (Terry Mosher). Over 50 artists' notable cartoons and their impact are explored, capturing reactions from their subjects. One cartoonist sums it up: "A picture is worth a thousand words, but a well-crafted cartoon is worth a thousand pictures." An absolute must for cartoon buffs.
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Title: The National Dream
Character: Host
Released: March 3, 1974
Type: TV
A combination of documentary and dramatic reconstructions, depicting the conception and construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century.
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Bruce Lee: The Lost Interview
Title: Bruce Lee: The Lost Interview
Character: Himself
Released: December 9, 1971
Type: Movie
A priceless gem from the fine folks at The Internet Archive: Bruce Lee’s only existing television interview, from 1971. Martial arts expert Bruce Lee became world-renowned for his performances in such Kung-fu classics as ENTER THE DRAGON. Now his only interview in English is available. Just after the release of his first film THE BIG BOSS, he spoke in Hong Kong with Canada's premier journalist Pierre Berton. This is the closest one can get to this extraordinary master.
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Title: Telescope
Character: Self
Released: July 1, 1963
Type: TV
Telescope is a Canadian documentary series which aired on CBC Television between 1963 and 1973. The series was hosted by Fletcher Markle, which profiled notable Canadian people from celebrities to the unknown, who made a difference. Starting in September 1966, Telescope was the first regular colour broadcast in Canada. It's producer was Sam Levene. In 2008, CBC offered 10 episodes of Telescope on their Digital Archives website. The episodes are from the 1970-1971 season, and feature new host Ken Kavanagh. Among those profiled were game show host Monty Hall, publisher Mel Hurtig, journalist Pat Carney, actor John Vernon, author Farley Mowat, amusement park impresario Patty Conklin, and underwater explorer Joe MacInnis. A 1970 episode featured actor Donald Sutherland including early footage of his son Kiefer. Mentalist Uri Geller followed a week later by Ray Hyman and Jerry Andrus who explained and duplicated Geller's "paranormal" feats.
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Title: The Pierre Berton Show
Character: Self - Host
Released: September 1, 1962
Type: TV
The Pierre Berton Show was a television show hosted by Pierre Berton. It ran from 1962 to 1973, and Berton regularly interviewed important artists, actors, and other public figures. His iconic interviews included Malcolm X in 1965, Lenny Bruce in 1966, and the only known interview with Bruce Lee in 1971. When CTV launched, a Pierre Berton show quickly followed, aiming to compete with CBC's late-night news. Initially on CTV, it later shifted to CHCH Hamilton due to scheduling conflicts, continuing its acclaimed interviews syndicated by Screen Gems. Despite its brief CTV run, it relocated to Hamilton after CTV adjusted its lineup to rival CBC's 11:00 PM news.
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Trans Canada Summer
Title: Trans Canada Summer
Character: Narrator
Released: January 1, 1958
Type: Movie
The camera traces the Trans-Canada Highway, unveiling Canada's people, resources, and diverse geography from east to west. It showcases remarkable engineering accomplishments integral to constructing the highway.
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City of Gold
Title: City of Gold
Character: Narrator (voice)
Released: May 2, 1957
Type: Movie
This classic short film depicts the Klondike gold rush at its peak, when would-be prospectors struggled through harsh conditions to reach the fabled gold fields over 3000 km north of civilization. Using a collection of still photographs, the film juxtaposes the Dawson City at the height of the gold rush with its bustling taverns and dance halls with the more tranquil Dawson City of the present.
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Title: Folio
Released: September 25, 1955
Type: TV
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.