Michael Polley
Acting
Biography
Michael Polley is the Anglo-Canadian actor best known for his connection to the actress-director Sarah Polley, the offspring of his late wife, Diane Polley. Michael Polley was born in England in 1933 and studied acting during the 1950s; one of his classmates was Albert Finney, who compared the profession of acting to that of bricklaying. Polley emigrated to Canada, settling in the Toronto metropolitan area, and practiced his craft on the stage. He married the former Diane MacMillian and the couple had four children, including the actor Mark Polley and producer John Buchan (their other children are a lawyer and a university professor), before Sarah entered the world when both were in their forties. Although Diane Polley was a professional actress, she made a name for herself as a casting director, and it was in that capacity that she launched her daughter Sarah's career when the precocious tyke was four (brother Mark had been a child actor, also). Both Michael and Diane objected to her pursuit of an acting career at so tender an age, but the young Sarah insisted and they relented. Michael Polley supported his family as an insurance agent, but when young Sarah's career took off, he was there for her, acting as a guardian for her on sets, such as Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), in which he had a bit part. Michael is best-known as an actor for his recurring role as the town doctor on his daughter's TV series Avonlea (1990). Still acting in his seventies, Michael recently was cast in a major part in Sarah's TV-series directorial debut, The Shields Stories (2004).
Known For
Anything can turn spooky in this horror anthology series based on the best-selling books by master of kid horror, R.L. Stine. In every episode, see what happens when regular kids find themselves in scary situations, and how they work to confront and overcome their fears.
Goosebumps
This darkly comic Canadian series follows the fortunes of a dysfunctional Shakespearean theatre troupe at the fictional New Burbage Festival, exposing the high drama, scorching battles, and artistic miracles that happen behind the scenes.
Slings & Arrows
An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Canadian actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley investigates certain secrets related to her mother, interviewing a group of family members and friends whose reliability varies depending of their implication in the events, which are remembered in different ways; so a trail of questions remains to be answered, because memory is always changing and the discovery of truth often depends on who is telling the tale.
Stories We Tell
Sam Giancana is a ruthless mob boss from Chicago. During a trip to Las Vegas, he sees a performance by the McGuire Sisters, a popular singing group with a pure image. Sam is attracted to Phyllis and begins aggressively courting her. The two enter into an epic romance, but it brings unwanted attention and tarnishes Phyllis's reputation. For Sam, however, the consequences are far more drastic, landing him in trouble with the law and his fellow mobsters.
Sugartime
When a woman tries to outwit her husband's sexy young mistress, the unexpected consequences include starring as King Lear in a very amateur production - with the mistress, an aspiring actress, playing The Fool.
If I Were You
Several innocent persons are hurt after two robbers, fleeing from the police, run into a neighborhood cafe.
The Life Before This
A college professor wishes he could live in Victorian England. Through a scientific experiment that goes wrong, he is able to make his dream come true. He is now able to travel back and forth in time.
The Incredible Time-Travels of Henry Osgood
The true story of a woman who is sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering her husband's ex-wife.
Woman on Trial: The Lawrencia Bembenek Story
During the final years of his life, the famous writer Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens is befriended by a young girl named Dorothy Quick.
Mark Twain and Me
A mouse from the streets and a church mouse try to help a priest and an organist save Christmas by composing a Christmas carol.
Johann's Gift to Christmas
Simon Henderson is at boarding school in Canada while his father works in Hong Kong, and his mother lives in England. When his parents visit him in the holidays, Simon discovers that his mother has schizophrenia.