Paragon Entertainment

Biographical History

Date 1981 - 1996

Paragon Entertainment was a Toronto based public production and distribution company. Founded in 1981 by Jon Slan and Richard Borchiver, Paragon produced a large variety of material, including TV series, Made for TV Movies, animated TV shorts and TV movies, documentaries, and feature films. At the height of their success, Paragon had 75 employees with activities in three countries. Their Toronto office sat on Spadina Ave, in the heart of the city.
The company was able to break into the U.S. broadcast scene, with an office in L.A. Slan and his family moved to California in the late 1980’s to operate the American side of the company. While aboard, the head office in Toronto was run by Borchiver. This touchstone within the U.S. allowed Paragon to have a large presence there, with productions appearing on USA Network, PBS, HBO, and ABC. As the Canadian market was well saturated with home grown productions, Paragon’s work was not broadcast in Canada until 1992.
Paragon made moves within the film and television scene in 1994 when they purchased the British film library Handmade Films in 1994. They later purchased Lacewood, an Ottawa-based animation company. The productions have been well received by audiences across Canada and the United states, winning multiple awards.
When the production company began to falter, Gary Gladman, president of Octapixx Worldwide purchased the majority of the productions. This also included all the requisite paperwork for the creation and distribution of these productions. Octapixx Worldwide Fonds is also available at the University of Toronto Libraries, Media Archive.
Both Jon Slan and Richard Borchiver have continued to have careers in the film and television field after Paragon Entertainment closed. Since 2002, Slan has been the President of Slanted Wheel Entertainment based out of Toronto and L.A. Borchiver, with real estate entrepreneur Paul Wynn from The Wynn Group started another Toronto-based production company entitled Annex Entertainment in 1998.

Extent and Medium

Video
229 video cassettes : D2 8545min, 20sec
3 video cassettes : D2 Small 25min
2 video cassettes : D8 240 min
3 video cassettes : BetacamSP 5 12min, 44sec
4 video cassettes : BetacamSP 10 34min, 24sec
2 video cassettes : BetacamSP 20 35min
331 video cassettes : BetacamSP 30 9425min, 10sec
38 video cassettes : BetacamSP 60 1778min, 14sec
11 video cassettes : BetacamSP 90 978min, 37sec
4 video cassettes : Digital Betacam 12 48min
167 video cassettes : Digital Betacam 32 4141min, 20sec
45 video cassettes : Digital Betacam 64 2114min, 42sec
5 video cassettes : Digital Betacam 94 458min, 7sec
10 video cassettes : Digital Betacam 124 939min, 39sec
308 video cassettes : 3/4 in. U-Matic 11 044min, 27sec
102 video cassettes : VHS 7206min, 40sec
Total: 1334 items. 783hr, 47min, 24sec

Film
Colour
35mm Colour Transparency: 52 reels, 44 250ft. 7hr, 53min
35mm Colour with Sound: 5 reels, 8200ft. 87min
Negative
16mm Colour Negative: 772 reels, 484, 225ft. 242hr, 42min
16mm Black&White Negative: 3 reels, 650 ft. 18min
Super 16mm Colour Negative: 30 reels, 15025 ft. 6hr, 59min
35mm Colour Negative: 3203 reels, 755, 573ft. 135hr, 13min
Audio
Super 16mm Magnetic Audio: 12 reels, 9150 feet. 44hr, 12min
35mm Optical Sound: 6 reels, 6650ft. 1hr, 12min
35mm Magnetic Sound: 132 reels, 110, 016ft. 18hr, 13min
Total: 4215 reels, 1, 433, 739ft. 451hr, 9min

Audio
898 open reels : ¼ in. ; audio
82 open reels : ½ in. ; audio
408 reels : 1 in. ; audio 11, 419min, 53sec
90 reels : 2 in. ; audio
3 cassettes : AHD 113 Digital
12 audio cassettes
1 optical disc : CD ; audio 63 min
97 audio cassettes : DAT
Total: 1591 items

Photograph
Transparency
2 ¼” Black&White: 6 frames
2 ¼” Colour: 96 frames
3x4 ½” Colour: 5 frames
35mm Colour Slide: 2314
4x5 ½” Colour: 1
8x10” Colour: 10
Colour
37 prints : Polaroid , colour ; 3 ½x4 in.
33 prints : Polaroid , colour ; 4x4 in.
2985 prints : colour ; 4x6 in.
7 prints : colour ; 5x7 in.
3 prints : colour ; 6x10 in.
21 prints : colour ; 8x10 in.
Black & White
12 prints : b&w ; 5x7 in.
183 prints : b&w ; 8x10 in.
Total: 3281 Photographs

Negatives
14 negatives : b&w ; 2 ¼ in.
13 negatives : b&w ; 3x4 ½ in.
1 negatives : colour ; 2 ¼ in.
2 negatives : colour ; 3x4 ½ in.
35mm Frame Colour Negative: 3837
Total: 3867 Negatives

Contact Sheet
35 contact sheets : b&w

Digital
5 optical disc : CD ; data 80 JPEG files [140.8 MB]

Textual
Banker box: 109.5 [1314 linear feet]

Digital
5 ¼” Floppy: 2 disks, 20 EDL files, 2 BUD files [528 KB]
3 ½” Floppy: 3 disks, 2 L32 files, 39 DOC files, [2.02 MB]
36 optical discs : DVD ; data Includes: 79 BUP files, 68 VOB files, 79 IFO Files [53.52GB]. 20 hours, 1 minute
13 optical discs : DVD [unopened consumer] ; video 59 hours, 11minutes
Total: 79 hours, 12 minutes [53.522 GB]

The acquisition is broken into the following 30 series:
Series 01. Alien's First Christmas; Aliens Next Door [1991]

Series 02. Alfred Hitchcock Presents [1986 – 1987]

Series 03. Beyond Reality, [1990 – 1996]
2 seasons (20 + 24 episodes)
A science-fiction television program, following two scientists as they investigate the paranormal found in other people’s daily lives.
1994 Winner, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Series
1992 Winner, Motion Picture Sound Editors-Golden Reel, Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADR
1993 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Direction in a Dramatic or Comedy Series
1993 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Series
1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Dramatic Series
1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series
1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Program or Series

Series 04. The Blob Family [1989]

Series 05. C’mon Geese [1989, 2000]
A short documentary on William (Bill) Lishman, the artist and aviator. Lishman is most known for his work with Canadian Geese and their migration to the south. The documentary is created with footage of geese in flight filmed by Lishman as he attempts to teach the gees to fly behind his small aircraft. This film has been awards several awards.
Winner, Blue Ribbon, American Film & Video Festival
Winner, Gold Apple, National Educational Film & Video Festival
Winner, Grand Prize of Festival , Free Flight Film Festival

Series 06. Deke Wilson's Mini-Mysteries [1990 – 1994]
1 season (13 episodes)
Deke Wilson, a hip teen, solves mysteries while also balancing the troubles of daily life.

Series 07. Destination X [1995 – 1998]

Series 08. Dog House [1987 – 1993, 1996 – 2000]
1 season (26 episodes)
The story follows a boy and his dog as they solve crimes. The dog, by cause of a car accident, has the mind of a police detective, and is thus also able to communicate with the boy. A children’s comedy show that deals with both fun crime solving and common family issues.

Series 09. Freaky Stories [1995]

Series 10. Frequent Flyer [1993 – 1997]
Made for TV-movie about a pilot that is cheating on three women, each believing they are his only romantic partner and all living in different cities. The story unfolds as each woman becomes suspicious of their pilot lover and begin to follow him as he continues to live his triple life.

Series 11. Full Cycle

Series 12. Guerilla Gardener [1997 – 2011]

Series 13. Hamilton’s Quest [1986 – 1998]
1 season (10 episodes)
The story of a man who discovers he is not the biological son of his parents who have just passed away. In a mean to help cope, he begins a journey to find his biological mother and father.

Series 14. Happy Birthday Bunnykins [1993 - 1995]
TV movie
Based on the characters from the Royal Doulton fine china collection. An animated cartoon of one little rabbit’s hope for his Birthday celebrations.

Series 15. Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin, [1988 – 1991, 1999, 2003]
TV Movie
As Jerry Levin, CNN reporter, is captured in Beirut, his wife Sis Levin works with the State Department for his release. Based on a true story.

Series 16. High Country

Series 17. Improper Channels [1979 – 1984, 1995, 2002 – 2003]
Movie
After a car accident, Jeff Martley and his estranged wife Diana loose custody of their daughter. The movie follows their attempts to get their daughter back. A comedy-drama.
1982 Winner, Genie Awards, Best Performance by a Foreign Actor
1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Performance by a Foreign Actress
1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Screenplay, Original
1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Achievement in Art Direction

Series 18. Johann's Gift to Christmas [1991, 1998 – 2001]
TV Christmas Special
A children’s Christmas about a mouse who helps a few clergy men by composing a Christmas song.

Series 19. Kissinger & Nixon [1993 – 1997, 2002, 2005]
TV Movie
Based on the book Kissinger: A Biography(1992) by Walter Isaacson. The film follows Kissinger as he attempts to end the Vietnam crisis while Nixon focuses on the upcoming election.
1996 Winner, Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special
1996 Nominee, Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
1996 Nominee, Directors Guild of America Award, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials
1996 Nominee, PGA Awards, Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television
1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program
1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program
1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Writing in a Dramatic Program
1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Program
1997 Nominee, Writers Guild of America, Adapted Long Form

Series 20. The Little Crooked Christmas Tree [1991, 1995, 2000]
TV Christmas Special
Based on the children’s picture book of the same name by Michael Cutting.

Series 21. Lives of Girls and Women [1990 – 1997, 2000]
TV Movie
Based on a book of related short stories by Alice Munro. The film follows the life of character Del Jordan in rural Ontario. Del is unsatisfied with her small town life, as is her mother who is very similar, yet Del does not see herself in her.
1995 Winner, Atlantic Film Festival, Audience Award Best Film
1995 Nominee, Banff Television Festival, Best Made-for-TV Movie
1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program
1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program
1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Production Design or Art Direction
1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Costume Design

Series 22. Paragon Entertainment [1985 – 1986, 1993, 1998 – 2001]
Corporate records

Series 23. Phillip Marlowe: Private Eye [1984 – 1989, 2002, 2007 – 2010]
2 seasons (5 + 6 episodes)
A mystery show that follows private detective Phillip Marlowe as he solves crimes. Based on the stories by Raymond Chandler.
1983 Winner, CableACE Awards, Lighting in a Dramatic Presentation – Film
1984 Winner, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Television Episode
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Actor in a Dramatic Presentation
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Art Direction in a Dramatic Presentation
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Directing a Dramatic Presentation
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Program Series - Dramatic Presentation: 60 Minutes or Less
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Single Program - Dramatic Presentation: 60 Minutes or Less
1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Costume Design in a Dramatic Presentation
1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Pay TV Drama
1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Writing in a Dramatic Program/Series (TV Adaptation)
1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series
1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore)
1987 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Actress in a Dramatic Series
1987 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Editing a Theatrical Special/Dramatic Special or Series/Movie or Miniseries
1987 Nominee, Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards, Best Cinematography in TV Drama

Series 24. Rapture [1987, 1990 – 1993]
TV Movie
Jeff Lisker is a successful computer programmer that goes back to his home town and tried to strike up a romance with his high school crush Georgianne. Instead, Georgianne is not interested in love but finds his friendship helpful as she mourns her recently murdered husband. Georgianne’s daughter believe Jeff is her father’s murderer and begins to investigate.
1993 Nominee: Gemini Awards, Best TV Movie
1994 Nominee: Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards, Best Cinematography in TV Drama

Series 25. 1994 Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes Returns [1990 – 1997, 2000]
TV Movie
After waking up in modern times from suspended animation, Holmes continues to solve mysteries and tackle the descendants of his previous foes.
1994 Nominee, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Television Feature or Miniseries

Series 26. Split Images [1991 – 1993]
A rich man goes on a killing spree while having a friend record each murder. Eventually the police catch wind and begin to investigate.
1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Sound in a Dramatic Program or Series

Series 27. Street Noise [1990 – 1993, 1997, 1999 - 2000]

Series 28. Tourist Trap [1990 – 1997, 2003, 2006]

Series 29. Tracks of Glory [1991 – 1999]
TV mini series
Based on the book Major Taylor Down Under by Jim Fitzpatrick. Set in the early 1900s, the story focuses on cyclist Major Taylor and his Australian rival Don Walker.
1993 Winner, Logie Awards, Most Popular Miniseries/Telemovie

Series 30. A Tribute to Sam Kinison [1994, 1996]

Conditions governing access

Preservation concerns may limit access, consult archivist.

Full Record in Discover Archives

Paragon Entertainment

Description

The acquisition is broken into the following 30 series: Series 01. Alien's First Christmas; Aliens Next Door [1991] Series 02. Alfred Hitchcock Presents [1986 – 1987] Series 03. Beyond Reality, [1990 – 1996] 2 seasons (20 + 24 episodes) A science-fiction television program, following two scientists as they investigate the paranormal found in other people’s daily lives. 1994 Winner, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Series 1992 Winner, Motion Picture Sound Editors-Golden Reel, Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADR 1993 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Direction in a Dramatic or Comedy Series 1993 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Series 1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Dramatic Series 1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series 1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Program or Series Series 04. The Blob Family [1989] Series 05. C’mon Geese [1989, 2000] A short documentary on William (Bill) Lishman, the artist and aviator. Lishman is most known for his work with Canadian Geese and their migration to the south. The documentary is created with footage of geese in flight filmed by Lishman as he attempts to teach the gees to fly behind his small aircraft. This film has been awards several awards. Winner, Blue Ribbon, American Film & Video Festival Winner, Gold Apple, National Educational Film & Video Festival Winner, Grand Prize of Festival , Free Flight Film Festival Series 06. Deke Wilson's Mini-Mysteries [1990 – 1994] 1 season (13 episodes) Deke Wilson, a hip teen, solves mysteries while also balancing the troubles of daily life. Series 07. Destination X [1995 – 1998] Series 08. Dog House [1987 – 1993, 1996 – 2000] 1 season (26 episodes) The story follows a boy and his dog as they solve crimes. The dog, by cause of a car accident, has the mind of a police detective, and is thus also able to communicate with the boy. A children’s comedy show that deals with both fun crime solving and common family issues. Series 09. Freaky Stories [1995] Series 10. Frequent Flyer [1993 – 1997] Made for TV-movie about a pilot that is cheating on three women, each believing they are his only romantic partner and all living in different cities. The story unfolds as each woman becomes suspicious of their pilot lover and begin to follow him as he continues to live his triple life. Series 11. Full Cycle Series 12. Guerilla Gardener [1997 – 2011] Series 13. Hamilton’s Quest [1986 – 1998] 1 season (10 episodes) The story of a man who discovers he is not the biological son of his parents who have just passed away. In a mean to help cope, he begins a journey to find his biological mother and father. Series 14. Happy Birthday Bunnykins [1993 - 1995] TV movie Based on the characters from the Royal Doulton fine china collection. An animated cartoon of one little rabbit’s hope for his Birthday celebrations. Series 15. Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin, [1988 – 1991, 1999, 2003] TV Movie As Jerry Levin, CNN reporter, is captured in Beirut, his wife Sis Levin works with the State Department for his release. Based on a true story. Series 16. High Country Series 17. Improper Channels [1979 – 1984, 1995, 2002 – 2003] Movie After a car accident, Jeff Martley and his estranged wife Diana loose custody of their daughter. The movie follows their attempts to get their daughter back. A comedy-drama. 1982 Winner, Genie Awards, Best Performance by a Foreign Actor 1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Performance by a Foreign Actress 1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Screenplay, Original 1982 Nominee, Genie Awards, Best Achievement in Art Direction Series 18. Johann's Gift to Christmas [1991, 1998 – 2001] TV Christmas Special A children’s Christmas about a mouse who helps a few clergy men by composing a Christmas song. Series 19. Kissinger & Nixon [1993 – 1997, 2002, 2005] TV Movie Based on the book Kissinger: A Biography(1992) by Walter Isaacson. The film follows Kissinger as he attempts to end the Vietnam crisis while Nixon focuses on the upcoming election. 1996 Winner, Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special 1996 Nominee, Primetime Emmy Awards, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special 1996 Nominee, Directors Guild of America Award, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials 1996 Nominee, PGA Awards, Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television 1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program 1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program 1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Writing in a Dramatic Program 1997 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Original Music Score for a Program 1997 Nominee, Writers Guild of America, Adapted Long Form Series 20. The Little Crooked Christmas Tree [1991, 1995, 2000] TV Christmas Special Based on the children’s picture book of the same name by Michael Cutting. Series 21. Lives of Girls and Women [1990 – 1997, 2000] TV Movie Based on a book of related short stories by Alice Munro. The film follows the life of character Del Jordan in rural Ontario. Del is unsatisfied with her small town life, as is her mother who is very similar, yet Del does not see herself in her. 1995 Winner, Atlantic Film Festival, Audience Award Best Film 1995 Nominee, Banff Television Festival, Best Made-for-TV Movie 1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program 1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program 1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Production Design or Art Direction 1995 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Costume Design Series 22. Paragon Entertainment [1985 – 1986, 1993, 1998 – 2001] Corporate records Series 23. Phillip Marlowe: Private Eye [1984 – 1989, 2002, 2007 – 2010] 2 seasons (5 + 6 episodes) A mystery show that follows private detective Phillip Marlowe as he solves crimes. Based on the stories by Raymond Chandler. 1983 Winner, CableACE Awards, Lighting in a Dramatic Presentation – Film 1984 Winner, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Television Episode 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Actor in a Dramatic Presentation 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Art Direction in a Dramatic Presentation 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Directing a Dramatic Presentation 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Program Series - Dramatic Presentation: 60 Minutes or Less 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Single Program - Dramatic Presentation: 60 Minutes or Less 1983 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Costume Design in a Dramatic Presentation 1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Pay TV Drama 1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Writing in a Dramatic Program/Series (TV Adaptation) 1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series 1986 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) 1987 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Actress in a Dramatic Series 1987 Nominee, CableACE Awards, Editing a Theatrical Special/Dramatic Special or Series/Movie or Miniseries 1987 Nominee, Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards, Best Cinematography in TV Drama Series 24. Rapture [1987, 1990 – 1993] TV Movie Jeff Lisker is a successful computer programmer that goes back to his home town and tried to strike up a romance with his high school crush Georgianne. Instead, Georgianne is not interested in love but finds his friendship helpful as she mourns her recently murdered husband. Georgianne’s daughter believe Jeff is her father’s murderer and begins to investigate. 1993 Nominee: Gemini Awards, Best TV Movie 1994 Nominee: Canadian Society of Cinematographers Awards, Best Cinematography in TV Drama Series 25. 1994 Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes Returns [1990 – 1997, 2000] TV Movie After waking up in modern times from suspended animation, Holmes continues to solve mysteries and tackle the descendants of his previous foes. 1994 Nominee, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Television Feature or Miniseries Series 26. Split Images [1991 – 1993] A rich man goes on a killing spree while having a friend record each murder. Eventually the police catch wind and begin to investigate. 1994 Nominee, Gemini Awards, Best Sound in a Dramatic Program or Series Series 27. Street Noise [1990 – 1993, 1997, 1999 - 2000] Series 28. Tourist Trap [1990 – 1997, 2003, 2006] Series 29. Tracks of Glory [1991 – 1999] TV mini series Based on the book Major Taylor Down Under by Jim Fitzpatrick. Set in the early 1900s, the story focuses on cyclist Major Taylor and his Australian rival Don Walker. 1993 Winner, Logie Awards, Most Popular Miniseries/Telemovie Series 30. A Tribute to Sam Kinison [1994, 1996]

Extent and Medium