3/4 in. archival original is transfer from original 2 in. tape. // Dropout throughout. // Episode produced in 1981 by Maine Public Broadcasting for a series entitled Reflets et Lumiere II, which explores the evolution of French Americans in Maine. Introduced by two men, the episode features a short comedy play in French and English written by Gregoire Chabot that examines culture shock, breakdown, and conflicting customs for the French Americans. Two couples play immigrants stranded in an automobile that they can not operate, and can not understand the instructions they are given by passers-by in English. Later, their descendants are stuck with a horse-drawn wagon that can not move. In the back they discover boxes containing 'Notre Heritage,' and must decide which items can be discarded so that the wagon will be light enough to move. Shot on location, has no subtitles. Episode concludes with a short dialogue between two French-speaking puppets: one is a log, the other is a potato.
Claire Bolduc looks at Franco-American organizers and their success at motivating people to action. 'Assimilo,' a short commercial spoof by Greg Chabot explores Franco-American stereotypes.
A short comedy piece by Paul Pare [sic] about three guardian angels who are tired of working with Franco-Americans. The American-Canadian Genealogical Society in Manchester (NH).
A postcard invitation to a performance of "Le Petit Canadien" at the Theatre Blanchard in Southbridge, MA. Performance by La Troupe Nationale, the performance was to start at 8:15pm under the direction of Albert J. Crepeau. Tickets were available for purchase at three local Franco-American businesses: Pharmacie Péloquin, G. Grégoire & Son, and Magasin M. L. Lavallée.
A theater program for "Tonkourou ou La Vengeance Indienne." The play, written by Pamphile Lemay, was performed with the generosity of the Cercle Canadien. Félix Gatineau played the role of Jean Lozet in this one-time-only performance at the Blanchard Theater in Southbridge, on 3 March 1924.
A typescript copy of "Les Vengeances" by Pamphile Lemay. The script is pasted into an older Franco-American program from 1916. This was Gatineau's personal working copy, and he played the role of Lozet. The play was performed at the Theatre Blanchard on 3 March 1924.
A script for "Le Petit Livre de Trois Voyagers" by Louis Bonin, published in Willimantic, CT, in 1878. Gatineau's name is inscribed in his own hand at top.
This event program details the various acts that were part of the evening's entertainment. Daudelin played the role of skipper Captain Nat. Skillings, in the one act farce "My Uncle, the Captain."
For nearly forty years Joseph Jovite "J.J." Salvas was actively engaged in the staging and direction of amateur theatrical productions for French-speaking audiences. His companies were made up largely of Biddeford people, and they played to enthusiastic audiences locally and throughout New England. Felix Coulombe (his cousin, Conrad, as well as Mr. and Mrs. John B. Joncas), were amongst the many active members of this vibrant local theater community. The materials donated by Salvas and Coulombe make up the basis of this collection, which tells the story of Biddeford's incredibly rich theatrical tradition.
The photographs, posters and programs in the collection reveal some of the players and the well-known plays they appeared in. They form an interesting part of Biddeford's social history, and showcase the talents of numerous local women and men who spent their non-working hours actively engaged in Biddeford's cultural life.
