Adventures in Rainbow Country

The idea of the Aboriginal "vision quest" outlined in and used as the catalyst for this episode of "Adventures in Rainbow Country" is explored a number of years later in an episode of another classic Canadian television show "The Beachcombers" that sees the Aboriginal character "Jessie" actually embarks on and experience just such a ritual.

"Dreamer's Rock" was based on a true story and the hill where they filmed this episode (across from the Williams' Lodge) is still called Dreamer's Rock and is owned by the native people to this day.

Wilmer Najiwon was the real chief, of the Cape Croker Reservation.

After the breaking news bulletin the radio station Nancy is listening to plays a subdued "easy listening" version of the "Adventures in Rainbow Country " theme.

The character "old Hawkins" seems to be using a old side by side shotgun yet manages to hit specific tree limbs with the accuracy of a rifle.

The flag on the aft railing is hung upside down turning the registry of the cargo ship from the intended Polish to Indonesian.

When the boys are stopped by the washed out road on their way to Phantom lake it becomes evident the "road" has been washed out for some time judging by the amount of mature looking vegetation in front of the truck.

Louise Blondin appeared in the French-Canadian Classic "Loving and Laughing" 2 yrs later.

This is one of two "Adventures in Rainbow Country" episodes in which Canadian actor Margot Kidder appears. Years later she will, of course, be better known as the big screen version of Lois Lane in the Superman movies.

In what appears to be a sloppy edit, or perhaps a ham-handed attempt to fill up the required 22 minutes of showtime, we see Billy lose the same compass twice. The first time is by mistake and he recovers the compass (off screen) while the second successful attempt at loosing the compass is on purpose. The first loss and quick recovery stick out like a sore thumb. This first loss appears to be either an aborted story tangent or a sloppy piece of editing while the second successful loss that sees Billy pitch the compass into the bush in a fit of rage, seems to be an attempt to rectify the miss step of the first attempt.

This episode (correct title The Kid From Spanish Harlem, not The Boy from Spanish Harlem) was directed by Albert S. Waxman, AKA: Al Waxman, AKA: the King of Kensington. It is interesting to note Waxman also wrote a couple of teleplays for "Adventures in Rainbow Country" that were never produced as no second season was shot. The series was never cancelled but rather simply stopped production after the first season when the production company folded.

Billy William's parachute canopy is coloured to resemble the then new Canadian flag. When this episode was shot in 1969 the new red and white maple leaf flag was only four years old. Prior to 1965 Canada used the so-called red ensign as its national flag.

Billy William's parachute canopy is coloured to resemble the then new Canadian flag. When this episode was shot in 1969 the new red and white maple leaf flag was only four years old. Prior to 1965 Canada used the so-called red ensign as its national flag.

The cabin in which the Pete (Buckley Petawabano), Billy (Stephen Cottier) and Mr. Saunders (Don Harron) find themselves at the end of this episode is the same one used in the later "Adventures in Rainbow Country" installment "Pursuit Along the Aux Sauble".

Look for Canadian Actor Margot Kidder in an uncredited role as the friend of Nancy's who gives her a lift to the area Billy, Pete and Hannah are camping in. Kidder will, of course, years later, co-star with Christopher Reeves in the big screen versions of Superman as Lois Lane to Reeves' Clark Kent/Superman.

Look for the legendary Canadian actor Gordon Pinset in a early television appearance (age 39) playing the part of Father Bob Coburn.