10 Facts about Norman Jewison

10 Facts about Norman Jewison

Norman Jewison at a Canadian Film Centre & Variety-hosted reception – Photo by Mark Sullivan- Wikimedia

Norman Frederick Jewison is Canada’s most famous film director and producer. He was born and raised in Toronto. He however built his career early on, right in the heart of the entertainment industry; the British Broadcasting Corporation and Hollywood. Jewison left Canada to kick start his career at the BBC due to a lack of opportunity in Canada. He however went back to his home country for the continuation of the same.

Norman Jewison’s works are in various genres; drama, action, comedy, and musicals. He is a formidable force in the industry.

Here are 10 facts about Norman Jewison.

1. Norman Jewison’s Body Of Work Earned Him Hollywood Accolades

Norman Jewison is considered one of the world’s, not just Canada’s best directors. He has five Academy Awards under his belt from one of his movies, “In the Heat of the Night (1967)” – which got him noticed for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.  He has also been nominated 45 times for the Academy Award and received 12 nominations for the Oscars.

2. He Is Known For His Clever Depictions Of American Social Ills

Norman Jewison spent a good chunk of his time abroad, and some of his work is influenced by his experiences and exposure. Jewison’s work cleverly talks about American life and its ills. His 1967 movie, the Heat of the Night, for instance, follows a Philadelphia detective who is invested in solving a murder in a small Mississippi town. ‘The Hurricane’ is a 1999 movie that depicts a boxer wrongly accused of murder. Another great example of the American ill’s depiction is Norman Jewison’s ‘The Statement’, which follows law enforcement and vigilantes in their pursuits to capture a French Nazi collaborator.

3. He Served In The Canadian Navy

Sailors aboard the Canadian Navy Halifax- Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Honnick/Released- Wikimedia

Norman Jewison came from a long line/ family of army reservists during the war. It was almost second nature to him to be part of the army. He, therefore, served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II for a year; he first volunteered for the Navy at 17.

Norman Jewison was shipped to Cornwallis, Nova Scotia which was the largest naval training base in the British Empire. His experience in the Navy afforded him work opportunity in the American South and exposed him to segregation. This experience was valuable as it influenced some of his work.

4. Norman Jewison Never Saw Direct Combat

While serving in the Navy, Norman Jewison wished to be on the front line during the war. This however was not to be- he only came close to direct combat when Germany surrendered. The ship Norman Jewison was on, escorted German prisoners from a submarine that had sailed to a Canadian port to surrender. Jewison got close enough to give one prisoner a pack of cigarettes!

5. Jewison Founded A Film Training School

Norman Jewison and Friends with Moonstruck- Photo by Canadian Film Centre- Wikimedia

The Canadian Film Center offers in-depth programs in film, TV, music, acting and digital media. It is a charitable organization which opened its doors in 1988, founded by Norman Jewison. His vision was to have a center for film studies that would provide a platform for the mastery of film making and enable them make a wave on the worldwide screen.

From one film program with 12 attendees at the start, the Canadian Film Center became Canada’s leading institution for advanced training in film, television and new media. It has enhanced its programs and has collaborations with other industry big wigs such as broadcasters in North America.

Norman Jewison was keen on enhancing individual performance which in turn would elevate professional standards.

6. He Was The Recipient Of The 1999 Irvin G. Thalberg Memorial Award

The Irvin G. Thalberg Award was established in 1937, named for Irving Thalberg who was head of the Production Division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Thalberg’s work helped Goldwin-Mayer become known for sophisticated films.

Norman Jewison, like other recipients of this award was recognized for his creativity in production, consistency and high quality of motion picture production.

7. Norman Jewison Boasts A Lifetime Achievement Award

Norman Jewison’s home country Canada recognized his work- his contribution to the country’s film industry earned him the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. This award is given to Canadian artists and volunteers recognized for having had a great performance year or for volunteer work.

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards were commissioned in 1992 during the 24^th Governor’s reign, the late Right Honorable Ramon John Hnatyshyn.

8. This Terrible Business Has Been Good to Me

Norman Jewison addressing the crowd at Malaparte before “Norman Jewison and Friends with Moonstruck”- Photo by Canadian Film Center- Wikimedia

This title is that of Norman Jewison’s 2004 autobiography. In this book, the author reveals his early years on to his years on the big screen. It reflects on Norman Jewison’s success in showbiz.

9. Norman Jewison Was Patriotic

Bény-sur-Mer- Canadian War Cemetery- Photo by DennisPeeters (talk)- Wikimedia

Norman Jewison’s time and experience in the Navy had an impact on him. He took his sons to France visiting graveyards of Canadian soldiers. The trio visited Vimy Ridge, Normandy, and the Canadian cemetery. He wanted his sons to understand the place of their Country in the world.   

10. Jewison Was A Great Story Teller

Norman Jewison is a great storyteller; a great writer producer and director. Some of his works have made an impact in film. Works such as ‘The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming (1966)!’ the 1971 ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ stand out. The former is a an American comedy film which Norman Jewison produced and directing, while the latter is a historical musical film produced and directed by him.

Norman Jewison is a remarkable creator whose work has had an impact in Canada and in the world. He is one of Hollywood’s most successful directors.