Junior Magazine facts for kids

Junior Magazine was a popular TV show made for teenagers. It was shown on CBC Television across Canada. The show ran for seven years, from 1955 to 1962. You could watch it every Sunday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m.

What Was Junior Magazine?

Junior Magazine was a weekly program designed to entertain and inform young people. It featured different segments, like a magazine with various articles. The show aimed to bring interesting topics to its young audience.

The People Behind the Show

A big part of creating Junior Magazine was Fred Rainsberry. He was in charge of the Children's Television Department at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This department was based in Toronto during the 1950s and 1960s.

The main host of the show was John Clark. He had recently moved to Canada from England. Before coming to Canada, he was known for playing a character called Just William.

How the Show Changed Over Time

Junior Magazine started in 1955. At first, John Clark would introduce short documentary films. These films showed different parts of the world and interesting facts.

The show soon grew and added more hosts. Hank Hedges joined to present segments about nature. Doug Maxwell covered exciting sports topics. Producer Bruce Attridge also added music and dance to the program. This helped bring a bit of culture to the show. In 1957, young Roberta Maxwell became part of the team. She stayed for two years before leaving to become an actress.

In 1958, the show's goals expanded even more. Disney chose Junior Magazine to show their children's films in Canada. John Clark also started taking weekly trips with a camera crew. They would explore the countryside and find places with historical importance.

New Hosts and the Show's End

John Clark loved acting, and he decided to move to New York in 1960. Even after he left, Junior Magazine continued for two more years. Several new hosts took over the show. These hosts included Toby Tarnow, Patrick Watson, Garrick Hagon, and Norman Welch.

In 1963, Fred Rainsberry convinced Fred Rogers to start his own TV show. Fred Rogers later became famous for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Summer Magazine

During the summers of 1957, 1958, and 1962, Junior Magazine had a special version. It was called Summer Magazine. In 1957, John Clark was still the host for this summer series. However, by 1962, different hosts presented Summer Magazine. This show filled in for the regular Junior Magazine during the middle of the year.