Back in the eighties, the Global Television Network had an ingenious idea to run 24 hour programming that wasn't an all-night Christian call-in show or a series of infomercials (that would come later), while also saving money on syndication acquisitions. They ran a three hour block of programs called Night Walk, Night Ride and Night Moves - super smooth Clint Eastwood-end-credits jazz (but Canadian! Featuring Guido Basso!) playing over steadicam footage of the empty Toronto streets. When we all saw it for the first time we were at a party - we were convinced it was airing live and were trying to pinpoint their coordinates and general direction so as to jump in a cab and intercept the broadcast.
Night Moves was by my recall the more experimental of the three but only visually; sometimes there they would show the footage in slow motion or backwards. Either that or I was hammered every time I came home and flipped it on.
There was only one episode of each and Global ran them all night every night well into the nineties. To see it again now is to get even more bitter about the continuing Fifth-Elementization of downtown. We had it good....
Greenwood, you in particular are going to lose your shit on this one - you will want them to invent that Brainstorm machine pronto. This clip has been specially edited to highlight record store row. And Tough Enough at the Rio!
3 comments:
Freaky - I use to watch both night walk and night drive - I don't recall seeing Night Moves -
Think I remeber the clifhanger where they had to change a flat. :P
Amazing how much has changed thanks for the trip.
A buddy I use to work with said or I though he knew the guy who did some of the sound track of this - Freaky.
Fantastic! Why didn't they glance down the stairs at FlashJacks? Or take their time perusing the photographic menu at the Zanzibar? Doesn't that drug store stock porn now? You can see the stairs at A & A but I still can't recall what was up there. These are a superb document of this beloved city. I wonder if they'll come out on DVD. I mean, I doubt it but that would be really great for people like you and me.
I have been looking for years for a copy of this.At first I was afraid I couldnt afford a copy but I have not seen it whatsoever period.I was so glad when I found this.Now I know I wasnt crazy and remember it!
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