Anne of Green Gables is a CBC Television film produced by Norman Campbell (director) and directed by Don Harron. A remake of the network's like-named 1956 musical rendition of Lucy Maud Montgomery's much-adapted story, it aired on 18 November 1958. By far the most notable departure from its predecessor is the casting of American actress Kathy Willard in the title role.Atkey, Mel (2006). Broadway North: The Dream of a Canadian Musical Theatre. Toronto: National Heritage Books. p. 106. . "Left: The CBC live TV production of Anne of Green Gables was broadcast in 1956. Shown here are Toby Tarnow as Anne and John Drainie as Matthew. [...] Right: The CBC mounted another live production of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical in 1958. Shown here are Margot Christie as Marilla, Kathy Willard as Anne, and John Drainie as Matthew.""Many Wigs". The Calgary Albertan. November 15, 1958. p. 7. "Dark haired Kathy Willard, young singer-actress from New York City, requires several wigs for her role as Anne in Folio's 90-minute TV presentation of Anne of Green Gables, Tuesday. When the story starts, Anne needs a 'carrot-top' wig but she later dyes her hair different colors."
The film depicts the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan in her early teens, adopted in the small-town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, whose optimistic mindset defies standard ladylike conduct and drives her to overcome any obstacle life throws at her.
Cast
Production The 90-minute film, like its predecessor, was produced and distributed by the CBC Folio, a dramatic anthology series presenting original plays and adaptations. It had been slightly expanded in the interim, reportedly now comprising "ten sets, 14 musical and dancing numbers, two of which are new, plus a new ballet", all in conjunction with a seemingly unmanageable multitude of bit players.Sinclair, Gordon (November 18, 1958). "10 Sets, 14 Big Numbers Plus Ballet". The Toronto Star. p. 30. "If you see somebody quietly going mad around CBC's studios today it will be Bob Dexter. Bob is studio director for Norman Campbell who, for the second time in two years, is producing Don Harron's musical version of 'Ann of Green Gables' 9.30 to 11 tonight. There are ten sets, 14 musical and dancing numbers, two of which are new, plus a new ballet and a cast of thousands. Well, maybe not exactly thousands but they seem have enough people on stage for 'Ben Hur.' While Campbell is up there in the fish bowl, Dexter will be on the floor in what seems to be utter chaos. Kathy Willard, to play Ann in place of Toby Tarnow who is headed for motherhood any hour now, will be making her Canadian TV debut."
On a more tangible note, 10 days prior to the broadcast, on November 8, Folio's supervising producer Robert Allen announced that, owing to unforeseen circumstances (specifically, the fact that Toby Tarnow–who had originally been slated to reprise her starring role–was now not only married, but unmistakably pregnant, Anne would now be played by "New York actress, Kathy Willard"."'Folio' Starts With Double Bill" (Continued From Page 21). The Toronto Star. Nov 4, 1958. p. 25. "It will have New York's Kathy Willard in the title role instead of Toby Tarnow, who played the original Anne for Norman Campbell's production in 1956. Miss Tarnow is expecting, said Allen, and therefore unavailable to play the part of a 13-year-old girl." Six days later, the Daily Gleaner reported that producer Norman Campbell had traveled to New York and found his replacement via audition,"CHSJ-TV Presents: CBC Folio". Daily Gleaner. November 14, 1958. p. 8. Retrieved January 9, 2026. "This will be the second time Campbell has produced the Anne of Green Gables musical for CBC Folio. He originally produced it in March of 1956. Since Toby Tarnow, who played the role of Anne in 1956, is unavailable for this production, Campbell has cast Kathy Willard as Anne. Miss Willard is a young actress Campbell auditioned in New York." leading to an additional chorus of Canadian papers noting the last-minute subcontinental stand-in.Gilmore, Jim (November 15, 1958). "Television Topics: 'Kiss Me, Kate' Week's Top Show". The Vancouver Sun. p. TV-1. "Folio repeats its 1956 90-minute version of 'Anne of Green Gables,' L. M. Montgomery's lasting favorite. With the exception of New York's Kathy Willard, in the title role, the cast remains the same (John Drainie, Margot Christie and Margaret Griffin)"Blackburn, Bob (Nov 18, 1958). "Television Previews". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 26. "Folio (9.30) is going to take another whack at Anne of Green Gables, the Don Harron musical from L. M. Montgomery's novel, which was done once before in 1956. Most of the original cast (John Drainie, Margot Christie, Margaret Griffin) will be back, but Kathy Willard of New York takes over the title role from Toby Tarnow. A doll.""'CBC Folio' Returns Tuesday; Two one-act plays scheduled—'The Dock Brief' and 'Sammy'". C.B.C. Times. November 9–15, 1958. "Next week CBC Folio will present another production of Anne of Green Gables—a musical adapted by Donald Harron from L. M. Montgomery’s beloved Canadian classic, with music by Norman Compbell. As in last season’s Folio presentation, the producer will be Norman Campbell. Kathy Willard, a New York actress, will play Anne. Members of last season’s cast to be seen again are John Drainie, Margot Christie, Margaret Griffin and William Cole."Sinclair, Gordon (November 18, 1958). "10 Sets, 14 Big Numbers Plus Ballet". The Toronto Star. p. 30. "If you see somebody quietly going mad around CBC's studios today it will be Bob Dexter. Bob is studio director for Norman Campbell who, for the second time in two years, is producing Don Harron's musical version of 'Ann of Green Gables' 9.30 to 11 tonight. There are ten sets, 14 musical and dancing numbers, two of which are new, plus a new ballet and a cast of thousands. Well, maybe not exactly thousands but they seem have enough people on stage for 'Ben Hur.' While Campbell is up there in the fish bowl, Dexter will be on the floor in what seems to be utter chaos. Kathy Willard, to play Ann in place of Toby Tarnow who is headed for motherhood any hour now, will be making her Canadian TV debut."
Reception Critical reaction to the Folio's reboot was mixed at best, with perhaps the most merciless assessment emanating from Les Wedman of The Province, who starts his review by dubbing it worthy of a Pulitzer, simply by virtue of being "the biggest egg [laid] in the current Canadian TV season. What makes the presentation of 'Anne of Green Gables' a double yolk is that it was done once before, in March 1956. Having missed it then, it was too much to expect luck to hold out this time. But having been staged once, who on earth was responsible for trying artificial respiration on it now? It would be unfair to say that the charming, imaginative 'Anne of Green Gables' story should not be done as a musical. It would be correct to say that Norman Campbell, Elaine Leiterman and James Costigan shouldn't have done it.Wedman, Les (November 25, 1958). "T.V. in Review: An omelette from the CBC". The Province. p. 33. In a similar vein, Herbert Whitaker of The Globe and Mail notes that the "most remarkable thing" about this musical's remake is "the fact that nobody can sing", adding that "the best musical numbers were those handled by non-singer John Drainle." And yet, he adds, despite the multitude of unacceptable parts, the whole had somehow "accumulated a great deal of unsophisticated charm".Whitaker, Herbert (November 20, 1958). "Show Business; Notes on Things". The Globe and Mail. p. 15. "The most remarkable thing about the musical version of Anne of Green Gables on this week's Folio was the fact that nobody could sing. In fact, the best musical numbers were those handled by non-singer John Drainle. But despite this, and the over-generous number of technical faults, Norman Campbell's version of L. M. Montgomery classic accumulated a great deal of unsophisticated charm."
Moving towards the other end of the spectrum is Daily Times TV editor Phil Lee, who dubs the show "something of a paradox", which, despite subpar songs and singing, "somehow managed to emerge as a thoroughly entertaining effort". After briefly acknowledging all behind-the-camera contributors, Lee quickly cuts to the chase. "[O]ne must not forget the star herself, Kathy Willard. For she was the kernel of the success. Miss Willard is graced with what one might describe as an actress' face. Julie Harris of Broadway has one. Susan Strasberg has one, so has Canada's Frances Hyland and Deborah Kerr and Claire Bloom and Audrey Hepburn. It is a face that can look old and haggard at whim, or gay or sad, beautiful or downright plain. Indeed it was surprising how often Tuesday night Miss Willard reminded one of the grown-up Margaret O'Brien, who currently is developing into the actress she promised to be when she was a child star. In 'Anne of Green Gables,' Miss Willard established herself as a Canadian star. As the stormy petrel who is taken into the home of Matthew Cuthbert in the belief that she is a boy who will help about the farm she had the opportunity to offer almost the entire range of her art. She was the hoyden who insulted Mrs. Lynde for calling her red hair 'carrotty,' who plied a new friend with real wine, who dyed her hair green and fought with Gilbert Blythe on her first day at school. She was also the tender young woman who loved old Matthew with all her heart, her understanding even reaching out to Matthew's stiff-backed sister Marilla. She was brainy even while despising herself for being stupid. She was industrious. And she was student enough to win a scholarship that would have taken her to university. Miss Willard is young enough to go far if she so desires.Lee Phil (November 20, 1958). "Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison Star in 'Kiss Me Kate' at 9 on 6, 2, 4". Victoria Daly Times. p. 27.
Less expansive but similarly impressed was Calgary Albertan critic Bill Ivens. I did catch another 90-minute musical, CBC Folio's Anne of Green Gables on Tuesday and was vastly pleased with it. New York actress Kathy Willard brought real sparkle to Anne, whom I remember as one of the most tedious heroines in juvenile literature.Ivens, Bill (Nov 22, 1958). "From my Arm Chair". The Calgary Albertan. p. 13.
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