1972 The Greeks of Danforth (Toronto) by Lou Wise

HomeMoviesdotCa - historic films of Canada
HomeMoviesdotCa - historic films of Canada
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Published 2016-09-08
This film became a documentary examining the viability of Canada's 'Cultural Mosaic' experiment of the late 1960s early 1970s, but it is so well done, insightful, and comprehensive, that it could easily be used to inform and educate all of Canadian society since then, today in 2016, and on into the future. - Lou Wise who did this film, had his own fascinating life story worthy of telling. His adult life began as an airplane mechanic in the RCAF during WWII. For awhile he was stationed along Canada's west coast and in the Aleutian Islands during the attempted invasion by the Japanese. After the war, Wise became the Head of the Film and Photography Department for AVRO CANADA in Toronto, which built the AVRO Jetliner, world's 2nd commercial passenger jet, then the AVRO Arrow, at the time the fastest interceptor on the planet. He remained a member of an AVRO Alumni Group the rest of his life, helping to keep the AVRO Canada story from being forgotten. After AVRO Wise wound up in charge of the Audio/Visual Department, Director of Teaching Aids, for the Toronto District School Board. In his spare time he frequently flew his airplane over southern Ontario and saw the massive extent of pollution happening and began a long endeavour to document it photographically and campaigned to get it cleaned up. He met Charles Sauriol and helped Charles get the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area of Toronto established and protected. Lou received an award from Prince Charles for his many environmental efforts.

Lou passed away July 24, 2019, at the Veteran Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital at the age of 98.
obittree.com/obituary/ca/ontario/markham/chapel-ri…
All Comments (17)
  • @mentalicus
    Love the authenticity of these documentaries.
  • @karagi101
    This was my life. Came to Canada when 6. Lived around the Danforth ever since.
  • @HomeMoviesdotCa
    If I remember correctly Lou told me this was done for the Toronto School Board, shown only in class rooms. He was at the time in charge of the TSB A/V Department.
  • @TONYHATZIS
    That was great to watch...thanks for the share...as a Greek it is good to see why we must be tolerant of all new immigrants to our wonderful country
  • @Laughandsong
    Our fellow citizens of Greek descent are one of the main initial reasons why Toronto went from being a bland Anglo-Saxon food city to a top restaurant destination.
  • @yotakarastamatis8456
    I was 5 yo when my family and I immigrated to Canada via ship and landing in Pier 21 Halifax in 1967. I can relate to most of the stories of the Greek families in the film as i lived it. Life was strange for a long time, it sometimes still is. My parents sacrifice to come to Canada not knowing the culture, language and working day and night was very, very difficult and eventually both suffered nervous breakdowns as a result. Years later they could not see themselves going back to Greece and they became assustomed to the lifestyle and the freedom that they never had before. p.s. I also hated going to Greek school and being forced into the Greek community. 😊
  • @1TBX69
    Dear God in heaven, I can't believe this film! I grew up a block away from all the park scenes from Withrow Park. Good old Grandview Ave. 1964-1990! That's my park! We also ruled at the Riverdale Park pool all summer long! Best time of my life! Zeto Elas! Thank you Lou Wise!!!
  • @canman5060
    Two of my most favourite restaurants in Toronto is from this area.
  • @SP.007
    It'd be cool to hear the same people today to hear what's happened in the last 50 years.
  • @Laughandsong
    In Montréal, I rarely went to Park Ex, the original Greek neighbourhood in Montréal. However, since I came to Toronto in 1994, I am a regular in several Danforth establishments. I am part Armenian, so we have a lot in common with Greeks.
  • @donsolaris8477
    there should be a follow up film 50 years later on the same people....
  • @kenlan3347
    Social pressure? I always thought the Greeks came to Canada to escape the civil war, rural poverty and military dictatorship. At least this is what I was told by Tony Asimakopoulos in "Return to Park Ex". Can someone please tell me which is right (or ALL OF THE ABOVE)?
  • @bskinny9009
    There was a smaller sicilian community on Danforth too.
  • @Laughandsong
    Was this broadcasted on CBC? Which program? Take 30? Telescope?