The Birth of Hollywood North

Book excerpt: This is the story of a man whose struggle with poverty, artistic and moral issues inadvertently starts an industry. Allan Wargon's pioneering efforts take us from the infancy of Canadian film and television to its grand unfolding. Often at odds with the holders of purse strings, and despite obstacles and deprecation, he perseveres. Following many awards, he devises and makes "Mr. Piper", Canada's first weekly colour television show, which sparks the surge of Canadian and American production that becomes Hollywood North. Much later, he writes and publishes books. From painter to film director to writer, the author’s journey is marked by a consistent refusal to compromise his vision and creative integrity. From Varley and Lismer to Paul Anka, from John Diefenbaker to Pierre Elliot Trudeau, from Lou Applebaum to Jack Warner, he works with and crosses paths with many artists, musicians and public figures. "Hollywood North" is a frank, intensely personal, sometimes gut-wrenching and always engrossing inside story.