ARCHIVES and SPECIAL COLLECTIONS QUEEN ELIZABETH II LIBRARY MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, ST. JOHN'S, NL

Gordon Pinsent papers COLL-005 Website: Archives and Special Collections Author: Donna Lawrence Date: 1997

Scope and Content: This collection consists of a screenplay and publicity material for one of Gordon Pinsent's best known works, The Rowdyman. It includes original and edited manuscripts, biographies of cast members, a poster, theme sheet music, and critiques of the screenplay. The collection should be of interest to those researching the writings of Gordon Pinsent, Newfoundland performing arts, and acting in Canada.

Custodial History: The material in series 1 of this collection was acquired by the Archives and Special Collections from Gordon Pinsent in 1974. The photographs in series 2 were from the files of The Daily News, a St. John's newspaper that ceased publication in 1984. Its photo collection was auctioned off and these photographs of Pinsent eventually made their way to the Centre for Newfoundland Studies were they were part of Gordon Pinsent's biography file until they were transferred to the archives in 1990.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access. Copyright laws and regulations may apply to all or to parts of this collection. All patrons should be aware that copyright regulations state that any copy of archival material is to be used solely for the purpose of research or private study. Any use of the copy for any other purpose may require the authorization of the copyright owner. It is the patron's responsibility to obtain such authorization.

Biography or History: Gordon Edward Pinsent, actor and writer, was born 12 July 1930, in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, to Florence "Flossie" (Cooper) and Steven Pinsent. In 1962, Pinsent married Charmion King (d. 2007), they have one daughter Leah. Pinsent lives in Toronto with his family, where he continues to practise his craft.

While still a teenager, Pinsent dropped out of high school and joined the Canadian army in 1948. He remained in the army until 1951, and was discharged in Winnipeg. He found work with Arthur Murray's dance school as a ballroom dancing instructor. At the same time he worked as a commercial artist. It was during this time that he started acting. He tried out for local plays, and was soon in demand for many leading roles.

Pinsent decided to make acting his career. In 1959 he moved to Toronto. After appearing in a number of stage and television productions, he was offered the role of the RCMP officer in the new Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) television series The Forest Rangers, which aired from 1962 to 1964. Shortly after the end of that series he accepted the lead in the new CBC television drama Quentin Durgens, M.P. This series ran from 1965 to 1968. With the cancellation of Quentin Durgens, M.P., Pinsent left Toronto for Hollywood, California, where he remained until 1974. There he made a living, mostly through small roles in motion pictures. His most notable movie was The Thomas Crown Affair (1968).

While living in California, Pinsent began work on a screenplay, John and the Missus, about a Newfoundland community faced with economic ruin when the major industry, a mine, closes down. This was followed by the screenplay The Rowdyman, which focussed on exploits of a Newfoundland papermill worker. Pinsent was able to secure funding for filming The Rowdyman, with himself in the lead role. The cast included well-known American actors Frank Converse and Will Geer and featured such local actors as Estelle Wall and Ted Henley. The movie was released to positive reviews in 1971. Pinsent converted the screenplay into a novel, also called The Rowdyman, which was published in 1973. The success of The Rowdyman led to the 1974 production of John and the Missus and the publication of a novel based on that screenplay.

After 1974, Pinsent moved back to Toronto, where he continued to write, direct, produce, and star in stage plays, television programs and specials. In 1975, he created and wrote the television series A Gift to Last, which aired until 1978. He continues to appear on both the television and movie screens, both in Canada and the United States. Other notable roles include his television cameos as actor Paul Gross's deceased father in the Canadian-American television co-production Due South. in the late 1990s and as Maurice Becker in CBC's Republic of Doyle in the 2010s.

Pinsent has received much praise and recognition from his peers. Among the many acting awards he has received are the John Drainie Award for Overall Contribution to Broadcasting (1990), the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Performance on Television (Anne of Green Gables, 1991), the Gemini Award for Television Performance (1989), the Nellie Award, for Television Performance (1973 and 1979), the Genie Award for Performing (1972, 1980 and 1987). He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada (1980), and has Honorary Doctorates from three Canadian universities: Queen's University, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Prince Edward Island. Pinsent is a Companion of The Order of Canada and a Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada. In 2005 (on his 75th birthday) that the Arts and Culture Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor was renamed The Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts.

In 1992, Pinsent wrote his autobiography By the Way, which reflects on his life in Newfoundland and his acting career.

A selection of Gordon Pinsent's feature films include:

Colossus: The Forbin Project (1969)

The Rowdyman (1971)

Blacula (1972)

John and the Missus (1974)

Who has seen the Wind? (1977)

Barbar: The Movie (1989)

Blood Clan (1991) Red Green: Beef Project Badger Project (1998)

The Shipping News (2001)

A Promise (2002)

The Good Shepherd (2004)

Saint Ralph (2004)

Away from Her (2006)

Pillars of the Earth (2010 TV movie)

Arrangement: The Collection has been arranged in 2 series:

Series 1.0 Screenplays

Series 2.0 Photographs

Related Material: 1.0 Screenplays 1.01 The Rowdyman 1.01.001 Screenplay The Rowdyman, June 1970. 1.01.002 Master edited screenplay of The Rowdyman, no date 1.01.003 Extra screenplay The Rowdyman, not edited, no date 1.01.004 Poster (housed in Coll-143); cast list; synopsis; production notes; biographies of: Gordon Pinsent, Frank Converse, Will Geer, Linda Goranson, Lawrence Dane, Peter Carter; What the Critics Say of "The Rowdyman", 1971-1972 2.0 Photographs 2.01 The Daily News, 1970s 2.01.001 Gordon Pinsent, 1977: head shot with beard, bw, 5.2 x 6.3 cm, slight damage 2.01.002 Gordon Pinsent, 1979: head shot, bw, 7.6 x 9.6 cm, slight damage 2.01.003 Gordon Pinsent as Ambassador Ken Taylor in Escape from Iran: head and shoulders shot, bw, 6.4 x 7.1 cm 2.01.004 Gordon Pinsent, nd: head shot, bw, 5.6 x 7.2 cm 2.01.005 Gordon Pinsent, nd: head and shoulders shot, bw, 5.9 x 6.9 cm