Vancouver television has always been known for its true professionals, according to vancouveriski. Not only do they have years of experience in the TV industry, but they also have a knack for grabbing viewers’ attention and making a show genuinely engaging.
This is because Vancouver’s broadcasters are meticulous about who they hire. They know that the professionalism and expertise of their staff are the keys to a channel’s success and its ratings. And, of course, better ratings mean a more successful channel overall.
The host we’re featuring in this story, Barbara Kelly, started her career many years ago. But even back then, television employees were held to very high standards. Barbara was one of the first to become a full-fledged TV star. Her shows were incredibly popular with audiences, and every time she appeared on screen, it was a real event.
Citing imdb.com, our article will take a closer look at Vancouver’s most beloved TV host.
Hated Lessons
Barbara was born in Vancouver in 1923. As a child, the future TV host was forced to study public speaking, even though she absolutely hated the stage. But these lessons were very important to her mother.
Her first professional role was in a Christmas play, where she was cast as the Virgin Mary.
Running Away
Her father, an Irish immigrant, was a truck driver. Her mother, however, was always pushing her to take ballet and public speaking lessons.
Unhappy at home, Barbara decided to run away in 1942. It was around this time that she married Bernard Braden, a well-known actor and TV host.
At the same time, Barbara began her career in radio and toured across Canada with theatre productions.
Barbara’s television debut was on “The Stage Show.” In 1949, she and her husband moved to the UK. By then, they were already parents to three children.
Frequent Guest Star
Beginning in 1950, Barbara started appearing more and more frequently on her husband’s show, “Bedtime with Braden.” In 1951, she became his co-host on the program “Home at Last.”
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Barbara was a regular on her husband’s shows. In 1968, she appeared in the sitcom “Billy & Billie.”
The Only Show on Air
The early 1950s also marked Barbara’s foray into film.
She appeared in several movies, including “The Desert Hawk,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “A Tale of Five Cities.”
It’s widely believed that Barbara’s biggest break came from her role on the show “What’s My Line?”. It aired every Sunday on Vancouver’s main channel. However, Barbara herself recalled that the show had no competition. It was, in fact, the only program on air.
The Game Show Host
From 1964 to 1967, Barbara hosted “Criss Cross Quiz,” a game show based on tic-tac-toe.
Beyond her work as a host, Barbara also appeared in the 1978 film “This Is Your Life.”
In the end, Barbara Kelly cemented her reputation as one of Vancouver’s most popular and beloved TV hosts. She is also credited with being a true pioneer of local television. In those early years, as the Vancouver TV industry was still developing, Barbara was an integral part of its growth and success.
Photos: bigredbook.info, imdb.com