Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks is a Canadian docudrama film directed, written and produced by Donald Brittain.Jim Bawden, "Banks a rip-roaring drama". Toronto Star, October 27, 1985.
The film was about Hal C. Banks, a controversial American labour union leader who came to Canada in 1949 to help bust the purportedly Communist-controlled Canadian Seaman's Union and establish the Seafarers International Union as their replacement. Banks left Canada in 1962 after being brought up on criminal charges. Banks appeared before the Norris Commission, which was set up to investigate his strongarm tactics and links to beatings of opposition unions, and non signed shipping companies. In particular was the ULS and the Maritime Union run by his former lieutenant Michael Sheehan, who had testified before the Norris Commission against Banks, and led the push to loosen the SIU grip on the Great Lakes.Rick Groen, "Portrait of Banks as a brutish amoral artist". The Globe and Mail, October 26, 1985.
Maury Chaykin played the role of Banks in dramatic reenactments, alongside a supporting cast that included Peter Boretski, Jason Dean, Marie-Hélène Fontaine, Colin Fox, Sean McCann, Gary Reineke, Larry Reynolds, Chuck Shamata, Barry Stevens, R. H. Thomson and Jonathan Welsh.
The film premiered at the 1985 Festival of Festivals,"Film festival reels in Plenty". The Globe and Mail, August 16, 1985. but was distributed primarily as a CBC Television broadcast rather than theatrically. It was broadcast by CBC on October 27, 1985.Noel Taylor, "Film-maker ready for flak over Hal Banks story". Ottawa Citizen, October 26, 1985.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Festival of Festivals 1985 Best Canadian Film Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks Jay Scott, "Official Story voted most popular film; No Surrender, American Cousin critics' choices". The Globe and Mail, September 16, 1985. ACTRA Awards April 2, 1986 Best Television Program "ACTRA nominations for 15th annual Nellie Awards on April 2". Montreal Gazette, March 18, 1986. Best Direction in a Television Program Donald Brittain Adele Freedman, "Charlie Grant's War is ACTRA's top show of the year: Nellie makes last stand brisk but chummy". The Globe and Mail, April 4, 1986. Best Television Actor Maury Chaykin Best Writing, Original Television Drama Donald Brittain, Richard Nielsesn Gemini Awards December 4, 1986 Best Writing in a Dramatic Program Sid Adilman, "Anne Of Green Gables a lucky child of Gemini". Toronto Star, December 5, 1986. Best Direction in a Dramatic Series Donald Brittain Best Actor in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries Maury Chaykin Sid Adilman, "Anne leads field in Geminis race". Toronto Star, October 16, 1986. Best Supporting Actor R. H. Thomson
References
External links
NFB Web page
Canadian Film Encyclopedia [A publication of The Film Reference Library/a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group]