Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North – Details, episodes & analysis

Before the fame, John Candy was a kid from the Toronto suburbs with a big heart and a knack for making people laugh. This episode looks back at his early years—from children's theatre stages to his first big break auditioning for Second City Toronto—marking the quiet start of a legendary comedic journey.

John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone.

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Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett

Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti

Recorded by Tyler Rauman

Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan

A Knockabout Media Production

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting May 22, 2025, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North is back with a new season in which we deep dive into the life and career of comedy legend John Candy. And I won’t just cover Uncle Buck or Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I’m looking at the whole enchilada, from the stage of Second City Toronto to heights of Hollywood stardom, and a brief detour into Canadian Football. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering the magic that John brought to both the big and smalls screens, join me for this new 6-part series. 

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode on the life and work of filmmaker David Cronenberg, we're transported with The Fly, and seeing double with Dead Ringers.

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario, CBC, Efrom Allen

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David uncovers the secrets behind Videodrome and has a brush with The Dead Zone!

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario, CBC, Efrom Allen

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

Archival Material: https://www.youtube.com/@MickGarrisInterviews

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David uses his art to work through his divorce and custody battle. He releases THE BROOD on a unsuspecting public, and the quickly follows it up with SCANNERS, his first hit in America.

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario, CBC, Efrom Allen

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David is raked over the coals for his film SHIVERS. Will he kowtow to critics and censors as he attempts to mount his sophomore effort, a horror picture called "Mosquitoes"?

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario, CBC, Efrom Allen

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David is back from the Cannes Film Festival and he has a fire in his belly to make movies. He pens the script for a horror film entitled Orgy of the Blood Parasites. But getting his picture funded proves harder than he thought.

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario.

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DEAD RINGERS. THE FLY. VIDEODROME. SCANNERS. The films of David Cronenberg have delighted horror fans, grossed out audiences and challenged censors for the last five decades. His name was at one time cursed in the halls of parliament for using public film funding—Canadian tax dollars—to make movies like SHIVERS and RABID; films that earned him the moniker the “Baron of Blood.” They inspired controversy, but his films were profitable, and in Ottawa, just like in Hollywood, money talks. 

Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking.

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhollywoodnorth

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario.

Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Follow us @itsknockaboutmedia on FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE

Theme: Witches Brew by Party Store Music

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Warning** This episode contains language that some may find offensive. 

BONUS: In this episode, I have a conversation with the man in the towel, the legend, an "interesting physical specimen": Paul Bellini. We talk about the early days of the troupe, working as a writer on the show, and origins of the Touch Bellini contest. 

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Sponsor Link: https://www.audibletrial.com/hollywoodnorthpod

Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario. 

Follow us on TWITTER and INSTAGRAM.

Buy Mouth Congress' new double LP here: https://capturedtracks.com/artist/mouth-congress/

Reading/Viewing List:

Kids in the Hall: Complete Series https://amzn.to/3s5CCow

One Dumb Guy by Paul Meyers https://amzn.to/3MK4UNw

This Is a Book about the Kids in the Hall by John Semley https://amzn.to/3s8cn0L

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS: In this episode, I have a conversation with John Semley, author of This is a Book About the Kids in the Hall. We talk about each member of the troupe, the legacy of their show and their post-troupe careers. 

Donate here to the Welcome Collective.

Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures

Sponsor Link: https://www.audibletrial.com/hollywoodnorthpod

Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR

Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti.

Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario. Follow  us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK

Reading/Viewing List:

Kids in the Hall: Complete Series https://amzn.to/3s5CCow

One Dumb Guy by Paul Meyers https://amzn.to/3MK4UNw

This Is a Book about the Kids in the Hall by John Semley https://amzn.to/3s8cn0L

*This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.