Wayne and Shuster

Wayne and Shuster, comedy team composed of John Louis Wayne (b at Toronto 28 May 1918; d there 18 July 1990) and Frank Shuster (b at Toronto 5 Sept 1916; d there 13 Jan 2002). They met at Harbord Collegiate, Toronto, where they performed in annual revues. After receiving BAs in English from U of T, they were both studying for MAs when WWII intervened. After enlisting in the infantry, they were soon reunited, writing and performing for The Army Show.

Following the war, they returned to Canada and worked together on radio (by 1946 they had their own show on CBC) and later on television. In 1950 they began appearing as guests on various American TV programs, including a record 67 performances on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Although their wide-ranging skits, described as "an amiable mixture of slapstick, pantomime, visual tricks, sheer corn and sometimes ingenious twists on classic situations," did not always meet with critical approval, the comedy team remained popular and won several international awards. Despite their popularity in the US, Wayne and Shuster remained based, personally and professionally, in Toronto, repeatedly resisting pressure to pursue greater wealth and fame south of the border.

Author CHARLES DOUGALL

Links to Other Sites
The History of Canadian Broadcasting
This site is dedicated to the visionary pioneers who created Canada’s broadcasting industry. Features profiles of members of the CAB Hall of Fame and much more. From the Canadian Communications Foundation.

Scenario Productions
Type in the name of a personality or other key words to access audio clips from classic CBC radio plays and other popular programs.

The Frank Shuster Fonds
A brief article about the Frank Shuster fonds, which provide a retrospective of two of Canada's most successful comedians Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster. From Library and Archives Canada.

Frank Shuster
A CBC obituary for comedian Frank Shuster.

"It Made Them Forget About the War For a Minute"
A fascinating article about behind the scenes action in the Canadian Army, Navy and Air Force entertainment units during the Second World War. With many photographs of participants and entertainment venues. From the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. Note: a very large file.

The Memory Project: Entertainers
Listen to an interview with Canadian veteran Murray Ginsberg who talks about the varied entertainment produced by the Canadian Army for the troops during the Second World War. Also check out related digitized artefacts and memorabilia. From the Historica-Dominion Institute.