Zolf: An Online Screening Series

Available to viewers across Canada.

Rediscover Larry Zolf, an iconoclast of Canadian television journalism, through this online screening series. Sometimes compared to comedian Mort Sahl, he brought humour and irreverence into his work and observations of social and political life. An irreverent writer, reporter and producer, he joined the team of the legendary This Hour Has Seven Days in the early Sixties, and became part of a new outspoken generation of journalists and producers at the CBC. Highlights of the screening series include: an entertaining 1996 episode of Moses Znaimer’s landmark series The Originals, with Zolf reflecting on his life and career, from his childhood in Winnipeg’s North End; his appearance on a 1968 panel of William F. Buckley’s Firing Line, “Why Do So Many Canadians Hate America”; a classic episode of Seven Days; and more.

Programmes:

The Originals: Larry Zolf, A Portrait in the First Person (1996)
With much candid humour, Larry Zolf reflects on growing up Jewish in the North End of Winnipeg, his ambivalent relationship with his Yiddishist father, his work in the labour movement, his years at the CBC, and offers observations of the contemporary world of Canadian politics and journalism. A rare extensive television interview, produced by Moses Znaimer for CityTV.

Firing Line: Why Do So Many Canadians Hate America? (1968)
A timely panel discussion from 1968 featuring Zolf alongside Canadian writers Dennis Lee and Al Purdy, moderated by host William F. Buckley. While at first reflecting on American involvement in Vietnam, Zolf, Lee and Purdy consider the historic attitudes among Canadian Conservatives and Liberals towards American influence on industry and politics as well as the constitutional differences between the two countries.

This Hour Has Seven Days: Show #49 (1966)
An example of the humorous remote pieces for which he became notable on Seven Days, Zolf talks with a Toronto Sewer worker--and a group of onlooking children--who discovered a cache of stolen money, demonstrating an ease with man-on-the-street interviews. This 1966 episode, presented in its entirety, also features Beryl Fox’s oft-remembered interview with Leonard Cohen; and more.

Trade Secrets: Journalism (1985)
In this revealing snapshot from its era, filmmaker Gail Singer (Wisecracks, True Confections) presents glimpses of conversations at a party hosted by Larry Zolf, where the Toronto political and journalism worlds mingle. Part of a four-part CBC series, Trade Secrets, produced by Paul de Silva, which focused on Canadian cultural insiders.

Judaism: A Tradition in Transition (1965)
In this episode of the CBC show, Compass, Larry Zolf interviews various rabbis from Canada and the United States, including Dr. Emil Fackenheim, while longtime-CBC producer Sam Levene speaks to a Christian theologian. Collectively, they offer a window into the 1960s discourse concerning the meaning and survival of Judaism in postwar North America.