Jake and the Kid
Encyclopedia
Jake and the Kid is a collection of short stories
by W. O. Mitchell
, originally published in 1961. Many stories in the series appeared in Maclean's
prior to the book's publication. Mitchell also published a sequel volume, According to Jake and the Kid, in 1989.
, Canada
. Jake is the hired hand who helps the Kid’s mother run the farm who now keeps the Kid abreast of events in the greater world and in Crocus.
The Kid’s teacher, Miss Henchbaw, is unfairly dismissed by the school board until her friends fight back in the story “Will of the People”; Chet Lambert of the Crocus Breeze is hauled into court for comparing George Solway with Malleable Brown’s goat in “The Face Is Familiar,” resulting in a courtroom confrontation unrivalled in the history of Canadian jurisprudence; and “Political Dynamite” shows the men terrified by women curlers threatening to vote en bloc in the upcoming town election.
The town is rich not only in disputes but characters, from Repeat Golightly in the barbershop to Old Man Sherry, the town’s oldest inhabitant. Throughout the series of stories, many entertainers come through town: Belva Taskey, the sweet songstress (“Lo! The Noble Redskin!”) and her memorable poetry reading; The Great Doctor Suhzee, the hypnotist; and Professor Noble Winesinger, whose snake-oil remedies had been known to turn his customers black.
in 1950. The radio series continued until 1956 with over 300 episodes produced.
, Fred Keating, Shaun Johnston, Julie Khaner, Patricia Harras, Marty Chan
, Eric House and Ben Campbell. The series premiered on December 16, 1995. The last episode aired on May 2, 1999. The television series spanned 2 seasons, a total of 26 episodes.
in 1962.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by W. O. Mitchell
W. O. Mitchell
William Ormond Mitchell, PC, OC better known as W.O. Mitchell was a Canadian writer.-Early life and career:...
, originally published in 1961. Many stories in the series appeared in Maclean's
Maclean's
Maclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
prior to the book's publication. Mitchell also published a sequel volume, According to Jake and the Kid, in 1989.
Overview
Set in the 1940s and 1950s, "The Kid" is at the centre of stories of a boy on a farm in fictional Crocus, SaskatchewanSaskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Jake is the hired hand who helps the Kid’s mother run the farm who now keeps the Kid abreast of events in the greater world and in Crocus.
The Kid’s teacher, Miss Henchbaw, is unfairly dismissed by the school board until her friends fight back in the story “Will of the People”; Chet Lambert of the Crocus Breeze is hauled into court for comparing George Solway with Malleable Brown’s goat in “The Face Is Familiar,” resulting in a courtroom confrontation unrivalled in the history of Canadian jurisprudence; and “Political Dynamite” shows the men terrified by women curlers threatening to vote en bloc in the upcoming town election.
The town is rich not only in disputes but characters, from Repeat Golightly in the barbershop to Old Man Sherry, the town’s oldest inhabitant. Throughout the series of stories, many entertainers come through town: Belva Taskey, the sweet songstress (“Lo! The Noble Redskin!”) and her memorable poetry reading; The Great Doctor Suhzee, the hypnotist; and Professor Noble Winesinger, whose snake-oil remedies had been known to turn his customers black.
Radio
Mitchell began to write the Jake and the Kid radio series for CBC RadioCBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
in 1950. The radio series continued until 1956 with over 300 episodes produced.
Television
In 1995, a family drama television series was commissioned by Canwest Global. The cast included Robert ClothierRobert Clothier
Robert Allan Clothier was a prominent Canadian stage and television actor most famous for his role on the long-running CBC television show, The Beachcombers...
, Fred Keating, Shaun Johnston, Julie Khaner, Patricia Harras, Marty Chan
Marty Chan
Marty Chan is a Chinese-Canadian author/playwright who works and lives in Edmonton, Alberta. His works include Something Dead And Evil Lurks In The Cemetery And It's My Dad, The Bone House, Maggie's Last Dance, Mom, Dad - I'm Living with a White Girl, and The Forbidden Phoenix...
, Eric House and Ben Campbell. The series premiered on December 16, 1995. The last episode aired on May 2, 1999. The television series spanned 2 seasons, a total of 26 episodes.
Awards
The book won the Stephen Leacock AwardStephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour
The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour is an annual literary award presented to the best work of humorous literature in English by a Canadian writer. The award is a tribute to well-known Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock , and is accompanied by a cash prize of $15,000...
in 1962.