Toronto in the 1970s
During the 1970s, Canada was a dichotomy of hope and fear. Toronto’s changing demographics became a direct reflection of the times. The population of Toronto surpassed Montreal, a wave of Americans immigrated to Toronto in the wake of the Vietnam War, and 1972 saw Toronto’s first Gay Pride Week. North America underwent a cultural shift after two decades of civil rights movements, all while struggling with an oil crisis, stagnant national economic growth, and persistent inflation.
The television industry – along with consumer habits – began to change. The opening of the CN Tower in 1976 expanded the reach of local television and radio broadcasts. Citytv launched in 1972, becoming Toronto’s first dedicated, independent broadcaster. 1975 saw the launch of the domestic videocassette, enabling viewers to tape and rewatch programs. The emergence of cable television, Pay TV, and increasingly niche channels offered more choices for consumers.
Songs and Stories, and So Much More
In the Fall of 1971, TVOntario (TVO) premiered its flagship children’s series Polka Dot Door.
The series was an adaptation of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s show Play School. Many aspects of Play School were licensed by TVO for use on Polka Dot Door – including educational film segments and the designs of the stuffed animals. Perhaps the best-known character in the series was the “Polkaroo,” a mythical creature whose name combines the words “polka dot” and “kangaroo.”
Polka Dot Door welcomed a diverse cast of hosts including Nina Keogh, Rex Hagon, Heather Conkie, Sherry Miller, Nerene Virgin, Tonya Williams, Jane Luk, Gerry Mendicino, and Denis Simpson – a somewhat radical move in television at the time.
Education, Education, Education
All of TVOntario’s (TVO) early children’s programming was created in alignment with the Ministry of Education. Provincial curriculum objectives often led to content development and storytelling.
The Adventures of Timothy Pilgrim aired in 1975. This science-fiction series featured a boy who travels backwards in time. Shot on film on location around the west end of Toronto, the series focused on social skills – including fostering friendship, sharing, and overcoming challenges.
Readalong! in 1975 featured a coterie of puppets to help children with the fundamentals of word recognition and reading.
Tell Me A Story was launched in 1975. It featured various children’s authors reading new stories direct-to-camera and was book-ended with psychedelic animations.
Read All About It! From 1979 followed a group of children stopping an alien invasion of Earth via their local newspaper. The series was widely used to teach reading, writing, and history lessons to Grade 5 students.
The Body Works in 1980 helped children better understand nutrition and exercise through fitness demonstrations. It was used in many classrooms – usually at the start of the day.