The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Elwy Yost, R.I.P.

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Elwy Yost, R.I.P.

By Aaron Goldstein on 7.22.11 @ 9:50AM

Elwy Yost, a raconteur of film, passed away yesterday of natural causes at the age of 86.

While his name is probably unfamiliar to most Americans, he was a television icon in Canada. Yost was the host of Magic Shadows and Saturday Night at the Movies both of which aired on TVOntario (the Canadian equivalent of PBS.)

Magic Shadows aired weekday nights during the 1970s and 1980s and would present films in serialized form. It was on this program that I got my first taste of The Marx Brothers and Charlie Chaplin.

Yost hosted Saturday Night at the Movies from 1974 to 1999. These shows became as well known for Yost's interviews as for the movies he featured. He interviewed Hollywood actors, directors, producers, camera operators, stuntmen amongst other movie professionals. In fact, Yost did so many of these interviews that they were eventually donated to the Motion Picture Academy. Here's a snippet of an interview Yost did with Charlton Heston concerning the chariot race in Ben-Hur. And here's some comedy gold with John Candy.

One thing I should make clear is that Elwy Yost was not a film critic. Indeed, Yost liked almost every movie he saw. He was a warm, affable grandfatherly type who seemed to enjoy every moment of his day. Yost's love of the movies was passed on to his son, Graham, who is best known for writing the 1994 movie Speed with Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper and Jeff Daniels. When Yost signed off from Saturday Night at the Movies last film he featured was Speed.

Let me conclude by giving you a taste of Elwy's effusiveness as he introduces an interview with director Henry King.

View all comments (4) | Leave a comment

Sparky| 7.22.11 @ 11:02AM

Growing up in the Detroit area, I occasionally watched ol' Elwy on TVO. His enthusiasm for movies was truly infectious. He seemed like a thoroughly decent and charming man.

ebt| 7.22.11 @ 1:45PM

He was a celebrity in Toronto. Most Canadians have no idea who he was. Good man, though, and I'm sad to see him go.

John Alexander| 7.23.11 @ 7:37PM

Early in my youth in the Toronto area, it was Magic Shadows. But later in my married years my wife and I would tune into listen to Elwy Yost, who'd encourage the Saturday Night at the Movies crowd, to just sit back, turn the lights down low and put your feet up - as he introduced us to to so many exceptional classics from yesteryear.

I would love to watch his hollywood interviews with famous stars, technicians and actors of years gone by. I wish there was a collection of his old DVDs and I'd do it all over again.

We miss you Elwy and there has never been a movie host that could build such anticipation. Elwy Yost was the Host with the Most. From Science fiction classics to mysteries to you name it, he knew how to relate to every classic movie lover. Brilliant! We'll miss you.

Pendit1| 7.24.11 @ 9:20PM

I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Yost's passing. He was a fabulous movie host, and conducted the best interviews.
When the economy was in tatters in the 70's, we had a very young child and couldn't afford the cost of a sitter,etc., to have an evening out. We lived in the Detroit area and we were fortunate enough, with some fine tuning, rabbit ears and tinfoil, to pick up TV Ontario and Saturday Night At The Movies. Voila! With TV tables and culinary wizardry (on our part) we actually looked forward to SNATM and Mr. Yost for a superb evening of entertainment!
God Bless you and THANKS, Elwy Yost....we'll really miss you!