Jewish Images from the Early Days of CBC: A Tribute to Martha Henry

Curated and introduced by Stuart Hands, Programme Director of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival.

In partnership with

This event is sponsored by the Helfield-Klein family in honour of Adult Education at Holy Blossom Temple.

To mark the passing of theatre icon Martha Henry last year, we present a double-bill of two of her early performances from the first decade CBC television.

Kiss Mama Goodbye
Canada 1960, 60 min
Director: Norman Campbell

A warm-hearted comedy-drama by Paul Wayne (future writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and many other legendary comedy shows). A loving Jewish matriarch (Sylvia Lennick) wants her son to be a doctor but soon finds out that he has other ideas for his future. Featuring Martha Henry alongside a wonderful ensemble cast that also includes Larry Mann and Michele Finney (of CBC’s Razzle Dazzle).

Followed by a pre-recorded Q&A with writer Paul Wayne and actor Michele Finney

Paul Loves Libby
Canada 1963, 30 min
Director: Harvey Hart

This episode of Quest, CBC’s groundbreaking anthology series, based on a section of Philip Roth’s first full-length novel Letting Go, features Martha Henry, Graydon Gould, Larry Mann and Cec Linder; even Roth is on hand as the narrator of the story, with the camera following him on location through the streets of New York.

Free ticketed online screening,

available to view Monday March 7 – Wednesday March 9

GET YOUR FREE TICKET HERE

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Watch the films and then join us on Wednesday March 9th at 7:30pm for a live Zoom Q&A with Martha Henry’s good friend and colleague, Diana Leblanc, award-winning actor and director and founding member of The Soulpepper Theatre Company, in conversation with acclaimed filmmaker Barry Avrich.

Access Zoom Q&A Here