Norman Jewison - If You Don't Know The Name, You Do Know His Work!

Here is a photo of Norman Jewison, accepting one of the many awards he has received for his work as a film director and producer. He is, of course another Canadian export and tonight you can watch a special one-hour program about him on TCM. He has directed every kind of film with just about all of the top movie stars, and done it all well!

There is a Film School (Canadian Film Centre) in Toronto which Mr. Jewison founded in 1988 at Windfields which is right in town on Bayview Avenue.

The history of Windfields and the concept of there still being what was a horse farm in the middle of the city is - to me, anyway - also very fascinating.

Windfields was owned by E.P. Taylor, a gentlemen who could be seen shopping in the Dominion Supermarket near his home. It was said that one of his quirks - something we can all learn from - was to never carry money. After lunch out, he would say that he had left his wallet at home and his lunch companion would have to pay the tab. (That is a lesson for today's times, isn't it?)

He was a large, tall man who was one of Toronto - and in fact - Canada's greatest benefactors. He bred fine horses and most people would recognize Secretariat and Northern Dancer as very fine horses.

When Queen Elizabeth would visit Toronto, she would stay at E.P. Taylor's Windfields Farms. That alone was impressive to a young person growning up in Toronto!

So, I have established for you that this was indeed a fine landmark in Toronto.

Everyone wondered what would be come of this land - would it become subdivisions of homes?

So, when Mr. Jewison took it over and built The Film Institute there, he too was a blessing to Toronto.

It is not possible to list for you all of Mr. Jewison's works. He has worked with most of the major film stars over the years. I will tell you that Jesus Christ, Superstar; Fiddler On The Roof; The Russians Are Coming and The Thrill Of It All were among his works. So, you definitely know his work!

We will record (as we still say) this program tonight as I'd like to know a little bit more about a man who did so well in the movie industry but never forgot his roots!