Wolf Koenig

Glenn Gould: On The Record

Roman Kroitor, Wolf Koenig

Glenn Gould, Howard Scott

This short documentary (the second of two parts) follows Glenn Gould to New York City. There, we see the renowned Canadian concert pianist kidding the cab driver, bantering with sound engineers at Columbia Records, and then, alone with the piano, fastidiously recording Bach's Italian Concerto.

Stravinsky

Roman Kroitor, Wolf Koenig

Igor Stravinsky, Julian Bream

This documentary is an informal portrait of the great modern composer Igor Stravinsky. Proudly American, though still very much an Old World figure with a long and alert memory for people and events in music, literature and art, Stravinsky is depicted here conducting the CBC Symphony Orchestra in a recording of his Symphony of Psalms.

Country Threshing

Wolf Koenig

This short documentary records the rural sights and sounds of the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The day of the big stationary threshing machine is almost over, as the machine is pushed into obscurity by the combine harvester. But there are still parts of Canada where crops are gathered in the old-fashioned way as the men work out in the fields and the women manage the kitchen. This film offers a rare and charming glimpse into mid-20th-century rural and family life in Canada.

Glenn Gould: Off the Record

Roman Kroitor, Wolf Koenig

Glenn Gould, Franz Kraemer

Canadian concert pianist Glenn Gould enjoys a respite at his lakeside cottage. It is an aspect of Gould previously known only to the collie pacing beside him through the woods, the fishermen resting their oars to hear his piano, and fellow musicians like Franz Kraemer, with whom Gould talks of composition. (First of two parts.)

Where There's Smoke

Wolf Koenig, Kaj Pindal

A compilation of satirical anti-smoking clips.

The Days Before Christmas

Wolf Koenig, Stanley Jackson

This short documentary depicts Christmastime in Montreal. The milling crowds, department store Santas, Brink's messengers, kindergarten angels and boisterous nightclubs all combine to make a vivid portrait of the holidays.

City of Gold

Colin Low, Wolf Koenig

Pierre Berton

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.

Lonely Boy

Roman Kroitor, Wolf Koenig

Paul Anka, Jules Podell

This short film portrays the story of singer Paul Anka, who rose from obscurity to become the idol of millions of adolescent fans around the world. Taking a candid look at both sides of the footlights, this film examines the marketing machine behind a generation of pop singers. Interviews with Anka and his manager reveal their perspective on the industry.

Festival in Puerto Rico

Roman Kroitor, Wolf Koenig

Maureen Forrester, Eugene Kash

This short documentary features Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester as she sings at the Festival Casals, a musical event founded by the great Spanish cellist and conductor Pablo Casals and sponsored annually by the Puerto Rican government. Part concert film, part tourism film, Festival in Puerto Rico offers viewers candid glimpses of mid-20th century Puerto Rico intercut with performance footage of Forrester and her husband, violinist-conductor Eugene Kash.

I Was a Ninety-pound Weakling

Wolf Koenig, Georges Dufaux

A short 1960 documentary about physical fitness trends in the big city. Here you see modern man brought to bay by his own poundage, resolved to erase by exercise what rich food, idleness and age have put on.

Man: The Polluter

Vladimir Jutriša, Wolf Koenig

Fred H. Knelman

A richly illustrated cartoon film that enlarges on man's capacity to foul his own nest, and to ignore it. Made by a joint team of Canadian and Yugoslav animation artists, the film transmits its warning with unflagging humor, imagination, movement and design. In between animated sequences Dr. Fred H. Knelman, Professor of Science and Human Affairs at Concordia University in Montréal, comments on the import of what is shown and on what lies in store if more responsibility is not taken on a global scale to conserve what is left of our vital resources and usable environment.

Sur le pont d'Avignon

Wolf Koenig, Jean Paul Ladouceur

Extravagantly gowned marionettes pantomime this old French folksong, sung by the Trio Lyrique. The song describes the traffic over the bridge at Avignon--the beautiful ladies and gallant gentlemen, the musicians and singers, learned professors, uniformed soldiers, comedians, acrobats, and village pranksters.

It's a Crime

Wolf Koenig

Guy Glover

A suave safecracker offers his reflections on wintertime unemployment in Canada.