Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1963 to 1970
Broadcast Medium: Television
This daytime strip series was one of several produced in Canada by U.S. production/distribution firm Screen Gems. It featured Ray Jacques as Judge Jacques, presiding over a courtroom in which a group of fellow actors ad-libbed cases of which they had been given the main details, but no written dialogue. These ‘actors’ were usually members of the public, who were cast instead of professional actors to give their problems a greater air of authenticity.
The half-hour show was originally produced for syndication, starting in 1963. It was carried by several CTV affiliates on a local basis, but when the stations took over ownership of the Network in 1966 they utilized the microwave facility to add many formerly local programs to the network service. Magistrate’s Court was scheduled 11:30am – 12 noon Monday to Friday in the 1966-67 season, and 3:00-3:30pm the following year. It then left the CTV schedule, only to reappear for one more year at 10:00am Monday-Friday in 1969-70. It was produced at CFCF-TV Montreal. Original producer was Rai Purdy.
Written by Pip Wedge – July, 2002