The Big Revue
Encyclopedia
The Big Revue was a Canadian variety television show. It was the first ever production of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
's television network when both debuted in 1952. The show was directed
by Norman Jewison
and written
by John Aylesworth
and Frank Peppiatt. The pilot episode first aired on September 9, 1952.
The series was hosted by actress Toby Robins
who would later rise to fame as a panelist on Front Page Challenge
. It was on The Big Revue that Don Harron
introduced TV audiences to his country bumpkin alter ego
, "Charlie Farquharson" (who years later would be immortalized on the American series Hee Haw
and the Canadian series The Red Green Show
.).
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's television network when both debuted in 1952. The show was directed
Television director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
by Norman Jewison
Norman Jewison
Norman Frederick Jewison, CC, O.Ont is a Canadian film director, producer, actor and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. Highlights of his directing career include In the Heat of the Night , The Thomas Crown Affair , Fiddler on the Roof , Jesus Christ Superstar , Moonstruck , The Hurricane and The...
and written
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
by John Aylesworth
John Aylesworth
John Bansley Aylesworth was a Canadian television writer, producer and actor, best known as co-creator of the American country music television variety show Hee Haw, which appeared on network television for two years and then ran for decades in first-run syndication.-Early career at CBC:Aylesworth...
and Frank Peppiatt. The pilot episode first aired on September 9, 1952.
The series was hosted by actress Toby Robins
Toby Robins
Toby Robins was a Canadian actress of film, stage and television.Toby Robins starred in hundreds of radio and stage productions in Canada from the late 1940s through the 1960s, working with such stars as Jane Mallett, Barry Morse, John Drainie, Ruth Springford, James Doohan, and many others...
who would later rise to fame as a panelist on Front Page Challenge
Front Page Challenge
Front Page Challenge was a long-running Canadian panel game about current events and history. Created by comedy writer/performer John Aylesworth and produced and aired by CBC Television, the series ran from 1957 to 1995.-Synopsis:The series featured notable journalists attempting to guess the...
. It was on The Big Revue that Don Harron
Don Harron
Donald H. Harron, is a Canadian comedian, actor, director, journalist, author and composer.- Charlie Farquharson :...
introduced TV audiences to his country bumpkin alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
, "Charlie Farquharson" (who years later would be immortalized on the American series Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
and the Canadian series The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show
The Red Green Show is a Canadian television comedy that aired on various channels in Canada, with its ultimate home at CBC Television, and on Public Broadcasting Service stations in the United States, from 1991 until the series finale April 7, 2006 on CBC...
.).