Description

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Over his extensive career, Halifax-born film, television, and radio performer Austin Willis worked with luminaries from Orson Welles and Peter Sellers to a young William Shatner (his subordinate in CBC's Space Command--precursor to Star Trek). He bested Goldfinger at cards--with help from Sean Connery's James Bond--and with his prematurely white hair, he became the debonair, wry host of the 1970s CBC-TV quiz show, This Is The Law.

Through his formidable personal library, his insatiable curiosity, and his conversations with the man himself, oral historian and archivist Ern Dick has brought the voice of Austin Willis to life in the memoir Willis wanted to write--but didn't, because he never stopped performing.

Featuring a foreword by former CBC Radio personality Costas Halavrezos, afterword by arts and culture commentator Ron Foley MacDonald, and dozens of photos that highlight Willis's greatest moments of stage, screen, and airwaves, Silver Hair and Golden Voice offers a unique perspective on the life of one of Canada's most overlooked stars.

About the Author

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Foreword Chapter 1: Growing up in Halifax with Brother Frank An Explosive Infancy The Bite of the Acting Bug My One-Night Wrestling Career Dancer or Target Radio Waves and Waves on Radio Chapter 2: Going to Toronto--and Going to War Toronto Beckons How I Started the Second World War Ducks, Banjos, Hockey Rinks, and Celebrities Out of the Booth and Into Uniform To Jump or Not to Jump My War Chapter 3: Inventing Film for Canada--or Trying to Flying and Fighting in the Bush / Pioneers and Pilots The Wages and Litigation of Sin Chapter 4: Doing Everything and Anything on Radio Radio Keeps Food on the Table More than Just Mary Not Exactly Everybody's Teacup Chapter Five: Inventing Television--or Trying to What To Do with Television Madhouse or Hell (Avoid the Cable If You're Able) Commanding Space Don't Get Hit on Hit Parade Hypnotizing the Nation Chapter Six: On Stage--and Off Preparing for Television Friend or Foe My Best Friend Always Career Versus Career Scorpion's Sting Hazards of Success Holding it Together Chapter Seven: Stage and Screen--Away from North America Roaring Twice on the Same Day The War That Never Ended Cigars, Noses, and Love Cancellation Chapter Eight: Making It in America--Or Trying To A Sour Note Goldfinger and my Golden Wrist Being a Barbarian or Not (When in Rome, Hold Your Horses) Chapter Nine: Back to Canada My Trans-Atlantic Shuffle Warden of the Plains A Canadian Cowboy Flick Playing Hockey on Film True Confessions Vaudeville in Kleinberg Enemies, Neighbours, and Founding Fathers Diversifying The Esso Man--Murray Westgate Commanding the Seaway Chapter Ten: Go Big--or Stay Home Foxy Meets Lord Buttons A Horse and a Hero The Real Bad Guys On a Lighter Note Waiting, and Waiting, and Waiting Around Town Clint's Turtle, Fred Chapter Eleven: Hollywood Was a Mistake Leaving Hollywood and Going Fishing Back to Canada Being a Target--Again Maintaining the Law Chapter Twelve: Who's Austin Willis? Coming Home Final Confessions Goodbye Epilogue: Austin Willis Comes to Granville Ferry Afterword by Ron Foley Macdonald Timeline Acknowledgements