The General Star

Everybody looks dry, but two of the four (and the photographer) had just dumped their canoe in the lake, a good kilometre behind us. It didn’t take long for us to take shelter ashore, get dry and down to the business of making dinner and dreaming of cheeseburgers. (Mid-August ‘06)

Whatever happened to Beth Manley? She worked the overnight shift at (formerly) bilingual Montreal radio station CKVL. Here’s a story about her from a local paper. I like the reference to drunks. And what was that traveler up to, hooking up with not one but three female tourists? To all those with a torch (or a highball) to carry, I dedicate this recycled feature story to you.

City Like Montreal Is Lonely Place, Beth Tries to Make It Friendlier

The Herald, Montreal, Wednesday, August 1, 1956

by GEORGE ABBOTT

No loneliness can match that bred on solitary confinement in a big city apartment and Montreal, like all big cities, harbors a huge throng of lonely hearts which couldn’t be more unhappy were they banished to the solitude of a prairie, a desert or an Arctic waste.

Maybe it’s the presence of so many people who remain total strangers. Or maybe it’s the shock of finding yourself friendlss in the place where you least expect to be lonely.

But the lonesome ones — the small town folk who knew only homes filled with voices and laughter, the old and infirm banished away in rooms and basements, the torch carriers and others who are here in their untold hundreds.

Top authority for this is Beth Manley, Montreal disc jockey who caters to the lonely hearts with a program that runs midnight till 4:30 am five mornings a week from Radio Station CKVL.

“This town harbors hundreds of victims of worry, despair and insomnia,” Miss Manley says. “Hundreds more are just plain lonely.

“They phone in night after night, not necessarily because they want something, but frequently just because they need someone to chat with.

“They’ve got to get it off their chest, and I gather some pretty grim tales in consequence,” she says. “But I’ve always maintained a strict rule of forgetting everything they tell me.”

Montreal’s overnight disc jockey has doubled as a personal adviser, an authority on domestic problems and ailments, frequently as a philosopher, sometimes as a diplomat and at least once as a matrimonial counsellor.

Hundreds of Miss Manley’s callers are night shift workers. Hundreds more are the wives sitting up for them to come home. Lonely wives, she reports, donate many of the prizes offered on CKVL’s lonely hearts show.

Then there are the torch carriers, served up with special discs at 4 am nightly — “Torch Time.” They show appreciation by phoning in to say the tunes and sentiments havce brought them solace. Many send small gifts, too.

Most of them Miss Manley has never met and doesn’t ever expect to meet. It’s the same with other lonely folk, the widows and widowers, the lone tourists and the travelers.

There was the lonesome serviceman from St. Petersburg, Fla., who had a memorable vacation in Montreal because he met three lonseome girls from Philadelphia, thanks to an interchange of messages over the torch carrier’s mike.

Miss Manley remembers Gordie and Jo-Anne. Jo-Anne liked Gordie up the street and wanted to date him. It all worked out after CKVL beamed a dedication tune at Gordie. The couple subesquently became engaged, finally married.

Beth Manley says she gets much fun from drunks who phone up in the dim hours calling for some fast music because “they wanna live a little.”

“Usually I tell them to have a drink for me and then I play something sweet and soft,” she says. “That makes them maudlin. But they call me back and tell me amid sobs just how much they liked it.”

A big number of the night session discs are dedication numbers and sometimes they’re directed at a distant loved one on the other side of the country.

But there was one dedication number that didn’t make the grade. An excited fan called up one night and asked Miss Manley to play a disc for Tony.

“By all means, but who is Tony?” she asked.

The breathless one: “She’s my German Shepherd dog. She’s just had four pups!”

Miss Manley doesn’t believe dedications are much consolation for German Shepherds.

But in the human realm, those overnight discs used to enliven lonely heards do an important job.

And she gets stacks of letters, countless messages and expressions of heartfelt thanks to prove it. For a big city can be one of the loneliest spots on earth.

1950s ckvl insomnia intoxication loneliness montreal Montreal history old time radion Philadelphia radio social trends solitude talk radio tourism womens issues1950s ckvl insomnia intoxication loneliness montreal Montreal history old time radion Philadelphia radio social trends solitude talk radio tourism womens issues

Montreal’s own William Shatner was making headlines for his acting chops 50 years ago this month. According to the online Canadian Encyclopedia, it was the year of his big break, “when he replaced Christopher Plummer on three hours’ notice in the role of Henry V, after Plummer was hospitalized.” (Plummer — who grew up in Montreal, attending the High School of Montreal — now called MIND High FACE, an arts-intensive public school (thanks for the correction, Kate M) — and learned his craft here, had made his big splash two years before in New York.)

You’ve got to hand it to him: he did very well for himself over the years — a Golden Globe award, a couple of Emmys (as well as three Emmy nominations in ‘06), plus his induction into the Television Hall of Fame. And he’s still going strong.

This Canadian Press item comes from the Montreal Herald, Wednesday, August 1, 1956.

His co-recipient of a 1956 Guthrie Award, Marie Day, is the daughter of a former Toronto mayor. She won for costume design. She is also a published author of children’s fiction.

Fittingly, the man who handed out the awards — Vincent Massey, who was the first Canadian-born vice-regal (i.e., the ceremonial representative of the British monarch to Canada) — just happened to be the brother of Raymond Massey, one of Canada’s greatest movie stars.

Tyrone Guthrie (after whom the award was named) was a pretty interesting chap, too. A legend of the British stage, he accepted an unlikely posting to Canada and helped build the Stratford festival into one of the world’s great Shakespearean attractions.

1950s drama montreal Montreal history Montreal Repertory Theatre movie stars MRT Quebec culture stage theatre1950s drama montreal Montreal history Montreal Repertory Theatre movie stars MRT Quebec culture stage theatre

Philippe Nicol, the guy on the right, did pretty well for himself — if you don’t mind living in a fishbowl. And maybe he — and his wife, Rose, on the left — didn’t mind. They billed themselves as Count and Countess Philippe Nicol. He grew to a height of three feet exactly. She was a handful of inches taller. (In their day, they were called midgets, a term that has been replaced by dwarves or little people) Here they are pictured at home in Montreal in the 1920s or ’30s. They lived at “the Midgets Palace” at 961 Rachel St. East, a home that the wealthy Mr. Nicol had adapted to the couple’s stature. The furniture was tiny, the grandfather clock (it’s at an Ontario museum now - link) was tiny, etc.

The house was, for many years, a popular stop on Montreal’s tourist circuit — even long after the original, famous residents were gone (Philippe died in 1940). A newspaper story of the late 1980s estimated that about 5,000 people a year paid $3.50 each to check out the rooms. (Doesn’t sound like a lot, when you divide by 365 days.)

Here’s the English-language portion of the commemorative pamphlet in full:

Cover
Page 2-3
Page 4-5
Page 6-7
Page 8-9
Page 10-11
Page 12-13
Pictures 1
Pictures 2
French cover

Philippe was born in 1881 in St. Henri de Levis, Quebec. His family were all of commonplace stature. At age three, his parents signed him up with various circuses that toured the world. He became associated with the Barnum and Bailey Circus where, I suppose, he was given a nickname to match that of the legendary General Tom Thumb (I wonder if they ever met). He was granted the right to keep proceeds from the sales of his picture, and did quite well by that — making more money on the pictures than on his handsome salary, apparently.
Here are some postcards from the Michel Bazinet Collection of the Quebec National Archives:

After the birth of Philippe, Jr.
Tourists gawk
The “Count and Countess” in the smoking room

I talked a bit about this place on CBC radio if you want to hear about it - link.

Here’s a link to the English-language pages of the website of l’Association québécoise des personnes de petite taille (which smartly translates to “the Quebec association for people of small stature.” )

dwarves midget palace midgets midgets palace montreal Montreal history Montreal in the 1930s tourism vintage advertisementsdwarves midget palace midgets midgets palace montreal Montreal history Montreal in the 1930s tourism vintage advertisements

From a defunct monthly publication: La Canadienne, July-August, 1921.

Here’s my translation:

Your face is beautiful

But what about your nose?

Nowadays, if you want a successful life, it is necessary to to pay special attention to your appearance. Not only do you want to look as attractive as possible, primarily for your ownsatisfaction — and that’s a good enough reason alone, but you also realize that the world increasingly judges you foremost, if not exclusively, on your countenance. Therefore, it would benefit you to look your best at all times.

Don’t let people see you any other way — your success depends on it! Whether you succeed or fail in life depends on the consistent impression you make. On which path will your destiny unfold? Our new nose reformer, “Trados” (model 25) corrects nose deformities without surgery, quickly, effectively and permanently. The treatment is without discomfort and, because it works at night, will not get in the way of your everyday activities.

Ask for our free brochure, which explains how to correct a deformed nose. There is no charge if you not satisfied.

M. Trilety, Facial specialist
1568 Ackerman Bldg., Binghampton, N.Y.

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Found this little gem in the May 1, 1933 edition of the Montreal Star. Seems that, in the political turmoil that the Great Depression fomented, a homespun fascist movement got legs. The Montreal Star, to its credit, hints here of its discomfort with the brownshirts and their “Fascist salutes.”

Patenaude, at this point, was a former Conservative MLA (member of the Quebec Legislature), federal Member of Parliament and cabinet minister. In 1934, the year after this article was printed, he was appointed to the ceremonial post of Quebec lieutenant-governor.

Here’s the story, typed up fulltext:

(Note the atmosphere, brownshirt troops, fascist salutes, and all this under the cover of patriotism, with covert praise for overseas fascists and political Catholicism, and the playing on wholesale condemnation of the spread of international Communism.) The Craig Street armoury has been demolished. It would have stood atop what is now part of the Ville Marie Expressway (Autoroute 720).
The Montreal Daily Star, Monday, May 1, 1933

Federation of Labor Clubs Acclaims New Counsellor With Fascist Salutes

Amid pomp and circumstance, with bands playing “O Canada,” a big crowd cheering, a guard of honor standing to attention and giving Fascist salutes, Hon. E.L. Patenaude yesterday afternoon formally accepted the invitation of the Federation of Labor Clubs to become their supreme counsellor.

He indicated that, as he understands it, this position entails consulting with the leaders of the club at any time they wish so to do, and giving them the benefit of his long political, legal and other experience, but does not entail a re-entry into public life. “I have come out of my retirement to take part in this meeting, and tomorrow I will go ack to my retirement,” he specified.

Numerous other speakers indicated the trend of the federation’s political tendencies. They are definitely opposed in every civic administration Montreal has had for a dozen years. They denounce alike the present administration and that of the Houde group which preceded it. They are also definitely opposed to the present Provincial administration, but had words of approval for at least one Liberal MLA, Joseph Filion, on account of his move at last session to ask for the resignation of the Legislative Council.

The meeting was held in the Craig street armoury, and gathered a crowd many thousands strong. At the opening, the armoury was filled except for spacious aisles which were kept cleared, in the centre and at the sides, and a numerous crowd sat on the grassy slopes of Champ de Mars enjoying the sunshine as well as the oratory which came to them through loudspeakers.

GUARD OF HONOR

A guard of honor formed a line at either side of the centre aisle and acted under military commands from their O.C. Capt. H.G. Gonthier. As distinguished guests arrived, they sprang to attention and gave the salute. A suggestion of the Hitlerite brown-shirts was conveyed by the sprinkling of brown peak-caps scattered through the crowd, worn by enthusiastic federation members, and appearing in front the inscription: “Federation of Labor Clubs.”

Two or three speakers had addressed the meeting when the band arrived. As soon as they appeared at the door, the sharp command rang out: “Guard, attention! Salute.” With military precision they sprang to attention and, the crowd following the example of the guard, 10,000 right hands stretched outward and upward in the Fascist salute as the band paraded down the centre, round the hall and up to the gallery, playing “O Canada,” “God Save the King,” and the federation march.

A little later, a sharp blast of a whistle notified the arrival of J.A. Chalifoux, general president, and Pierre Desrosiers, chief organizer of the federation, and again the crowd rose to the salute, the officers walking through a lane of upraised hands to the platform. When Hon. E.L. Patenaude arrived, accompanied by Paul Delcourt, the same greeting was given, each time accompanied by the national anthem played by the band. The guards remained immobile until their captain gave the command to “Stand at ease.”

PROCESSION PLANNED

Mr. Chalifoux, after a brief summary of what the federation had done since its inception in February, 1932, gave some advance details as to the procession which the federation proposes to organize for July 1. There will be 74 allegorical floats in the parade. One will represent a family on direct relief under “the Rinfret regime.”

Another will represent the City Council of Montreal in 1932. Another will represent the City Council today “equipped with binoculars to help them find how many unemployed have died of starvation under the direct relief.”

Another will represent the members of the Executive Committee, “including Mr. Gabias, at Cannes, sending a telegram giving his resignation and inviting his colleagues to follow his example.”

The federation today, he said, had 74 affiliated clubs, and over 81,000 members. “It has condemned alike the Decarie, Brodeur, DesRoches, Houde and Rinfret regimes at the City Hall.”

EXECUTIVE BOOED

Since it has been in existence, some of the things the federation has done were enumerated by Mr. Chalifoux. It had made a wise suggestion to Ald. Legault, acting chairman of the Executive, namely, that he and his colleagues should resign for the greater good of the city.

They had gained two notable victories. They had stopped the extension of the mandate which the present City Council sought at the last session of the Legislature and they had forced the city administration to agree to allow rent payments for unemployed.

Mr. Pateneaude, who was given musical honors when he rose to speak, discussed the danger of Communism in Canada for some time, before giving his reply to the Federation’s invitation to become their counsellor. When he indicated his assent, the crowd rose once more, first to applaud, later to raise the Fascist salute as the band struck up “O Canada” once more.

“Yesterday,” he said in opening, “I came out of my retirement to accept this invitation. Tomorrow morning I will go back to it.” He found justification for coming out of his retreat, in a handbill which had been distributed during the day, inviting Communists and their sympathisers to manifest on Victoria Square at noon, being May Day, the feast of the Communist International. “As it is the celebration of the International tomorrow, it is only right that we should first have the celebration of the real workers of Canada today.”

DENOUNCES COMMUNSIM

At considerable length he denounced Communist propaganda in Canada. “We have seen in England the development of the Labor movement, in Italy we see a revolution carried out by the Fascist movement and in Germany in recent times we have seen the revolution under Hitler. But in each of these cases, the movement was confined to its own country. None of them tried to prescribe their own type of reform for other countries outside their own borders. Only Soviet Russia seeks to convert all the countries of the world to its own type of political theory.

“Canada is born of the genius of France and of England and has developed following the character, mentality and traditions of these two great nations. If Canada follows alolng these lines, we shall have an ethical character of our own which will render us a type distinct from other peoples, without losing the best characteristics of the two nations from which we sprang.

“Through the centuries we have developed a regime and institutions which suit us, until now we have taken our place among the nations of th eworld.

“The state here cannot make the citizen its property. it comes to his help, to enable him to enjoy his liberties, form his own family circle and live in respect for his religion, for law and order.

CITIZEN’S POSITION

“The base of our economic life is the citizen, not the state. The citizen develops our natural resources, our commerce, industry and finance. But he receives the co-operation and help of the state. There are principles there which we cannot allow anyone to tamper with.

“How could we have our Parliament decree, as was done in Russia, that there is no God, that religion had no place among us, that the family must be broken up and the rights of property and individual initiative have no further value among us? Under the regime whose missionaries Russia sends us along with her trade envoys, the citizen is state property. The state owns and exploits everything. And in order to carry that out it has repudiated its God, its religion, its promises and its debts.”

He noted the progress that Communism was making in some provinces but was convinced that the Province of Quebec would never yield. Far from being Communistic, he said, the Federation of Labor Clubs was the natural gathering of the suffering masses for mutual help and encouragement, in a spirit of full respect for established law and order. He was very pleased to accept the position of counsellor to the Federation and would be glad to receive their officers at any time in his private study or office, and to give them the benefit of any advice he could offer on any problem they might have to submit: whatever experience he had acquired he gladly laid at their disposal.

Other speakers included Joseph Lamoureux, first vice-president; Jules Vincent, secretary of the St. Henri seciton; Joseph Laperriere; J.A. Gamelin; Alfred Acoulon; J.E. Trudeau and F.X. St. Denis.

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