UGLY LITTLE BOY - ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE (1977)

Gem of a tv play produced by TVOntario in 1977, shot on location at the Ontario Science Centre. Starring Guy Big from Frightenstein as the Ugly Boy.
Retrontario’s primary mission is the preservation, research and exhibition of rare videotape recordings (1970s to 1990s) recorded off of any and all Ontario (and surrounding area) TV channels; footage which would likely be lost if not sought out and preserved digitally. We also hope to create an ongoing oral history of this content through comments left below the videos. Please add to this evolving history, if you know more information pertaining to the clips, fondly remember them or have a modern thought all comments are welcome! For more information on how to help in our mission please visit us at: www.retrontario.com

[@butterbook]

I saw this in my 7th grade class...40 YEARS ago...!!!!! It stayed with me to this day and I could not remember the name. Thought I would never see it again!!!!!

[@nicksweeney5176]

What?! That means you're SO old!!

[@OctoberGeek]

Exactly the same for me! My mom was a teacher, and I remember seeing this with her when I was very little. I honestly thought I had dreamt this until I found this video!

[@nicksweeney5176]

@@OctoberGeek Wow! So, we got TWO oldies in here!!

[@Coolestmovies]

@@nicksweeney5176 For a lot of oldies who remember the era, and the building, bookmark these videos as you’ll never be able to visit the building again as of yesterday (June 22, 2024).

[@OctoberGeek]

@@nicksweeney5176 Ha. I just assume most of us here are Gen X.

[@DasYorgo4000]

Watched this with my mom she told me this isn’t science fiction its a documentary of her early life as a mother looking after me and my brother.

[@BeauregardHall]

BURN

[@bettycrowe797]

LOL

[@0therun1t21]

Cool mom, I wish mine had a sense of humor like that.

[@chriselliott5480]

Star of the show …Mini Moog

[@tetsuoshima7385]

I thought he was called Timmy😜

[@bobbyk9815]

I was in as soon as that synthesizer music started up.

[@YouTube_still_sucks]

The soundtrack is so awful and I love it. One dude on a synthesizer.

[@JetScreamer_YT]

In the Moog

[@NetanyahuWarCriminal]

The synth score is so epic.

[@TrackZero]

Ah what a gem, good find Retrontario.

[@mattbosley3531]

From a short story by Isaac Asimov. Didn't know it had ever been filmed. Loved the story, though. I've read it many times. It was in a collection I loved that was in our high school library called Tomorrow's Children: 18 Tales of Fantasy and Science Fiction, edited by Asimov.

[@peterbryantorres7096]

I also read this as a kid-had no idea it was made into a movie. The story is great-as are all of Asimov’s.

[@stickynorth]

I see what you did there, Retrontario... Very clever! Also very sad that the building will never operate as-is ever again... Just as sad as when Scarborough's TTC Line 3 went down...

[@halon7476]

Kate Reid also played a doctor in the movie Andromeda Strain, which in a way gives a similar vibe.

[@2degucitas]

Now I recognize her.

[@gallery7596]

She should've gotten an Oscar nomination for "The Andromeda Strain."

[@DJCoolHandRoo9871]

I just scored that soundtrack on vintage vinyl. What a cool record!!!!

[@crabstick250]

I was just going to write that!! She was great in that film.

[@Pellbort]

This is the most potent, concentrated distillate of seventies Canadiana I've ever seen. When you see them wheeling out the OCR font, you know you're in for a good time.

[@jimrogers2089]

I'll submit the hypothesis that whoever made this film was high as 🤪😶‍🌫️🫠

[@davidknight2423]

A classic moment from tv past! I believe I saw this in school as well. A great stiry, and great acting. That synth score is haunting.

[@Retrontario]

Classic

[@SewardWriter]

Kate Reid was fantastic.

[@mattskustomkreations]

By haunting, do you mean annoying and dated?

[@MikeRotch-ur7sx]

​@@mattskustomkreationsDated by whose standard?

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@MikeRotch-ur7sx Dated by 2024 standards. Actually, that sound was dated by the 80s.

[@giovannisalamon2706]

Watch this in CBC on my 5th Grade Class in 1986 on TV. Re-watched this many times on 16mm film that I borrowed from the library and rented their projector in 1988. It was magical watching on a large screen projector in 1988. Has been my favourite short film up to the 1999.

[@guardiane]

Wow, this is a first for me. Never heard of this at all...then again I was born in 81 so. I love this stuff though - such a different time. Thanks for posting it.

[@johnscottfrasier4045]

It’s the Actress from “The Andromeda Strain”!!!!

[@mcnudde]

Save the Science Centre

[@FranchiseCityOnline]

I remember beaming in my own Neanderthal at the Ontario Science Center in 1982. His name was Kek and I kept him in the shed eating hamburger helper until Mom found him. Boy was she mad.

[@thomaswebb6122]

The writer & producer, Don Thompson, was my mom's cousin.

[@eekns]

Sweet!!! He made a great video.

[@steventaylor6212]

Barry Morse from The Fugitive and Space 1999.

[@n.h.s.a.d.m.]

Also from The Shape Of Things To Come which was also filmed in Ontario, parts of which were shot in Ontario place.

[@steventaylor6212]

@@n.h.s.a.d.m. I saw that online once. I forgot about that one.

[@CaptApril123]

@@n.h.s.a.d.m. That was a horrible movie..as in really, really bad.

[@RetroCaptain]

Also played an evil playwright in a Twilight Zone episode around 1960. "A Piano in The House"

[@SewardWriter]

He had a small role in The Changeling. Such a good movie.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Paul Williams in one of his lesser known roles.

[@aisle_of_view]

I used to see him walking down Sunset Blvd all the time around 2011. He's pretty short.

[@kevinsmith9502]

Man I feel old .I remember this when I was a kid.

[@brianmorton6956]

It was a co-production with a British company. There were six episodes in all, although this was the only science fiction one. One of the others was a Sherlock Holmes adaptation. There was an accompanying textbook, with all of the scripts in them. I still have my copy. This film the only 16 mm print I own, I have fond memories in high school English classes back in 1982.

[@justin43098]

I dont remember seeing that exhibit when I went ad a kid. Lmao

[@eldonb402]

A great story, thanks for uploading this!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I remember when he had the hissy fit with the bottles

[@steelbrigadekory]

Little Dracula from Hilarious House of Frightenstein plays the Ugly Boy

[@movingkindaslow]

Yep, his name was Guy Big. He passed away soon after this film was made, in 1978.

[@Tarapatil2023]

Alan Herbert Hoffman

[@goingup6098]

I’m going through a lot so I couldn’t finish this right now, getting a bit emotional for me. But I like this video because it resonates with what happened to me when I had a 3% chance of living , and had pneumonia, in the hospital as a baby.

[@noserly]

Here. Have some attention.

[@zubileegluckgluck]

wow, you've taken the whole 'desperately concocted victimhood out of total nonsense' thing to a spectacularly dumbfounding new level. bravo!

[@zubileegluckgluck]

@@noserly lol exactly.

[@MooseCall]

I'm sorry for the immature replies you've received thus far. Hope you feel better soon.

[@noserly]

@@MooseCall In addition to getting that sweet attention, you’ve allowed this poster to gain status points and social credit via this outward show of definitely real compassion.

[@AndySabola11]

That little boy grew up to be the premier of Ontario.

[@user-hn5ti3ws7g]

🤣

[@therespectedlex9794]

Actors do find their way into politics.

[@duncanluciak5516]

So this is where Tim and Eric got inspiration for DeeVee.

[@okcabral]

I literally just shit myself and jumped out of my seat when I saw that the little guy. It hit me like a ton of bricks! OMG!! Holy shit! I remember this! LOL

[@michelpage4877]

Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer.

[@racookster]

I read Asimov's short story years ago. If I recall correctly, they built a little house inside the stasis bubble for the kid, and popping the bubble was a "gross mechanical action" facilitated by running a rope from a lever at the center of the house to the outside. The nurse simply reached up and pulled the rope. She cost that company a fortune in energy.

[@eekns]

That kind of love and sacrifice is priceless.

[@rogerdavis9962]

First time seeing this...really liked it. The nurse and the Neanderthal boy really actually favored each other for real....

[@seanburley3286]

Very cool!

[@redgreenbeambih]

Classic!

[@sirwilliams3885]

If it wasn’t for this type of entertainment short people would not be I show business

[@bettycrowe797]

This was actually really good!

[@CSGraves]

Starring Guy BIG, with music by Patricia Cullen?! Damn, that ending hit hard 😭

[@YouTube_still_sucks]

LoL Guy Big sounds like a porn star name.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

is that the guy who played the mini dracula opposite of Billy Van in Hilarious House of Frightenstein? a few shots it looks like him

[@acflegalservicesgmail2467]

Yes, it must be.

[@d1agram4]

Good description

[@user-gb7oz8hf6v]

First thing I thought was he would probably have trouble breathing and eating and drinking any of our normal food and drinks inc water. They were living in a totally different atmosphere and climate which effected the food and water. Not to mention all the different immunities we have that they 100% did not have. But it's just a movie and it's from 1977 so I really shouldn't complain.

[@johnd2248]

OMG I remember this when I was a kid close to 50 years ago!! We watched it at my elementary school. Wow this is amazing!

[@BeyondThisExistance]

For decades I have been trying to remember more about this creepy movie. I only remember a few scenes and have been trying to find any clue as to what it was since I saw it in the 70's. Just saw the video show up today and this was it. I remember it being disturbing and yep, it's just like I remember...

[@johnscottfrasier4045]

Ooh, I love my ugly boy So rough and tough Don't care about anything but me Yes, I just love him 'cause he's so crazy Just crazy about me

[@thedrabfour]

Truly a Canadian Vignette.

[@robatsea2009]

Either First Choice or Superchannel aired this as well. I remember the "Classics Dark and Dangerous" anthology series popping up on the CBC (Saturday nights I recall). It was a mostly British production; the only other episode I did manage to see was "The Rocking Horse Winner".

[@davidknight2423]

I remember that too!

[@ryancraig2795]

I don't know how many times I read this story - it's appeared in many anthologies over the years. I never saw this, though.

[@Autostade67]

Retro Ontario indeed - with Moriyama's iconic OSC building now doomed (due in no small part to various acts of provincial neglect), such documents may be all we have by which to remember it. The OSC should have been protected as a heritage building; people's ignorance of the cultural/historical importance of 'brutalism', techno-futurism and megastructuralism ("They're cold and ugly...I feel so diminished...so alienated..." Oh, f-in' please! And who ever felt alienated in the OSC? - it was fabulous! - Moriyama understood the dramaturgical potential of the site AND the theatrical experience of science) is not an excuse for letting such buildings - foundational to Canada's emergence as a middle power after the war - crumble because, to quote the enlightened mind of Premier Ford, '[They've] had [their] day". Nor should the chic, if usually apt, urbanism of Jane Jacobs, Charles Montgomery et al. ('Buildings must die...") be precipitately misapprehended in its application to revision of cities. What's next? Scarborough College? (U of T, Scarborough). Maybe the OGA was on to something..."If we false-front the Gallery with a Starchitect retro fit maybe the no-nothings will keep their hands off!"

[@Tarapatil2023]

wow, too much time on your hands huh

[@wyldebill4178]

That little bastard is probably still living in there!

[@ydoomenaud]

I remember watching this in school and afterward we referred to her as The Ugly Little Nurse. Uncharitable, I know.

[@HumanBeanbag]

My wife and I both burst into tears the first time Timmy called the nurse "mama" 😭 OMG ❤💔

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

Thanks. This story asks a simple question: " who are the real savages here?".

[@SquirrelASMR]

The native americans

[@knelle1114]

I remember seeing this in school

[@_Seagie]

what the hell

[@MM1717mm]

😂😂😂 just some good ol' can con !

[@_Seagie]

@@MM1717mm lol

[@julianlawrence1648]

Can corn

[@ericf1018]

18:50 When it's past noon and I don't gots my Timmies in me.

[@BeefSupreme-vk9sz]

The cave baby is played by a young Nelson Van Alden.. He was later on "Boardwalk Empire"....he never lost his trademark looks 🤔😲🤪

[@VelmaTheID]

exquisite

[@garricksl]

Blame the Ford government for shutting down the Ontario Science Centre.

[@paulmaul2186]

The stench of this whole closure...

[@grimandproper]

It’s unforgivable.

[@Brackcycle]

It's right from their playbook. Anything publicly funded that they don't want to pay for, cut or stop paying for it, in this case maintenance. Then let it rot or fester until you have "no choice" but to close it and re-invent as a PPP. Health Care and Education are breaking and broken because it is their plan. The Science Centre is one more example. May as well move to the US.

[@garricksl]

@@Brackcycle I live in SF Bay Area; hometown of Vancouver, BC has a good provincial govt. Doug Ford is really a Republican.

[@rotopope]

Time for some condo rezoning lets go boiiiiiis

[@eekns]

I grew up in the 70s. I miss those days watching good tv like this. TV was always about doing the right thing.

[@KatiesBookshelf]

What the.....!? I know this is the science center but what did my eyeballs just see? Maybe the most bizarre seventies-licious thing ever!!! Lol..

[@jonleibow3604]

Ontario Science Centre still has that oddly-futuristic look to it

[@n.h.s.a.d.m.]

I might have watched too much Science Alliance but the woman at 3:15 looks like one of the hosts. Also the woman examiner at 9:25 had a small part in Overdrawn At The Memory Bank and she may have even appeared on Polkadot Door *memory hazy*. Thanks, Retrontario!

[@daiichidoku]

3:15 nicky guadagni, who played dr helen holloway in 1997's "cube"

[@daiichidoku]

3:15 nicky guadagni, who played dr helen holloway in 1997's "cube"

[@jaysensmith1137]

Any holiday streams coming up in the future? wish you had a schedule

[@GordonBeckles]

WOWWWWWWW... took me right back to the first time watching this (1980 or so) after reading the short story as a teenager. Thanks For These Memories 👍🏾🙏🏾👊🏾

[@samusvikerness661]

Guess she will be seeing what mammoths are like.

[@middarklight]

XOXO best era

[@HypocriticYT]

They didn’t want the Science Centre to last, why they didn’t spend on the maintenance. It doesn’t just happen by accident 😂

[@hothmobile100]

They rushed the casting without reading script. The nurse looks at least 62 but the story says she is 42.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

ontario knows how to rock !

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

...Naaa.... That is just how all of us kids looked in the late 70's and early 80's.

[@PeterByker]

[13:49] Did this actress appear as "Mrs. Mac" in 'Black Christmas'? This cast is wonderful.

[@movingkindaslow]

No.

[@mcg6866]

Yeah I recognized her too. Also with SCTV's Andria Martin, Black Christmas is a Canadian classic.

[@movingkindaslow]

Marian Waldman is the actress in Black Christmas and Deranged. She is NOT in this film.

[@mcg6866]

@@movingkindaslow YES she is in this film. you can see her face here: 13:49 She seems to have performed this roll without credit which is why people may think she never appeared in the movie.

[@ottobud]

@@mcg6866 WOW, I completely missed the timestamp. I thought everyone was confusing her for Kate Reid. My apologies, I was wrong. :(

[@RSmith-fb4sf]

kate reid was a marvelous actress

[@scootermann83]

Holy fuckin fever dream!

[@daiichidoku]

16:19 "I am Mu Lambda 165. May I be of...assistance?"...william osler from "starlost"

[@quentincollins1825]

Looks like a depilated Chaka from Land of the Lost

[@asynchronicity]

Meth Chaka

[@sibco96]

Dollar Store Chaka

[@asynchronicity]

@@quentincollins1825 Not allowed to post: "Meth Chaka" Why?? What's the violation?

[@quentincollins1825]

@@asynchronicity YT doesn't like that word I'm afraid. Funny, the other day I started a post with "methinks"....that wasn't allowed either. 🙄

[@asynchronicity]

@@quentincollins1825 ridiculous algo

[@herbjergens6350]

MST3K...

[@handen]

Are you ready FOR SOME FOOT BALL????

[@AlexGreggstv]

Music is the deal

[@joefell5311]

Hmmmm....bring a neandrethal to the present timeline and send him back along with someone/something from the present? Sounds like the butterfly effect could be upon them all. This was actually not bad.

[@joefell5311]

@phillydisco very true. And did they keep tis kid in a sterile environment with no exposure to germs? She could bring back a germ that wipes them all out!

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

Actually this would explain alot about what we observe of interbreeding between early humans and Neanderthals as well as the extinction of the Neanderthals which occured around the same time as the interbreeding events which could be the result of diseases brought back in time by this very woman. Fascinating documentary.

[@joefell5311]

@@Jo-JoandTaffy even though this was science fiction, it raises a lot of what-ifs, doesn't it? Reminds me of something I would have read in Analog Magazine or Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine years ago.

[@Jo-JoandTaffy]

@@joefell5311 ...Well, have I got a surprise for you. This story originally appeared in the September 1958 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction magazine. It was written by... .... ... ... ...Yep. Isaac Asimov.

[@joefell5311]

@@Jo-JoandTaffy seriously? Go figure. That's too funny. I used to take out those magazines at the library when I was a teenager in the 80's. I was surprised to find the magazine seems to still be published all these years later when doing a Google search.

[@fabianurweider805]

When did that guy make fleet commander.

[@raymxslappedyall1891]

so did it really send them back or just evaporate them?

[@Paul-ou1rx]

Is there a sequel? I need to know what happened! Did she go back and have other children with the tribe? Could her actions have changed the course of modern history?! Or did they returns back in time as one giant blob of Neanderthal and human combined?

[@JetScreamer_YT]

Brought to you by Radio Shack.

[@therespectedlex9794]

In a different way, the ending reminds me of The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. They would give everything for the person they love, or nothing matters.

[@LoopyWolf]

Kate Reid, Barry Morse..?? and he's directing? And that's the guy who played the computer from StarLost.. Wait! This is the movie I've been searching for. The lighting is balls, but otherwise... excellent

[@noserly]

She looks like late 50s not early 40s.

[@erikakathleen509]

Totally.

[@JohnKoenig-db8lk]

Professor Bergman is going slumming.

[@nuroboros86]

Gonna tell my kids this is Harry and the Hendersons

[@bongmuon]

There is no way in hell that lady is 42!

[@sibco96]

She looks like an average 42 year old woman in Oklahoma.

[@bongmuon]

@@sibco96 She was 46 or 47 when it was released but still looked a bit older than that.

[@jimrogers2089]

Tracking, tracking....TRACKING dammit!

[@jackietrujillo9612]

so where the hell did she go to. They r all old by now.

[@FeedTheCanyon]

Is this the star wars holiday special?

[@JetScreamer_YT]

No it's the garbage pails kid the movie

[@bluestar9486]

Es boy bagfoots???

[@steeltownbrown52]

16:56, what did ya do to that poor guy's chicken finger?

[@papabob53johnson46]

Bull If someone from today when back to tha time how long would they survive

[@YouTube_still_sucks]

The air would probably kill them Or they'd catch a common cold and die

[@darrellee8194]

OK. Abducting a Neanderthal child from the past seems like a really bad idea for any number of reasons. Putting aside the ethical considerations, what could possibly go wrong? 11:15

[@caucasoidape8838]

The way she was trying to get him to talk was painful to watch. I liked the synth, and ugly make up though.

[@Pellbort]

COMPUTERS →

[@thecheese4255]

As someone who has strong feelings against graves being disturbed for science, this evoked some strong emotion from me. Glad I took the time to watch it. I’m not a religious or spiritual person, but can we not leave the dead in peace?

[@ryanand154]

Ligotti jazz is not a form.

[@stevemartin6144]

Sad how Morse always portrays a heartless creep in all of his roles with a bit of jerk thrown in.