Series

This series chronicles the career of Hélène Baillargeon-Côté, particularly her work as an actress in the title role of "Chez Hélène" during its 14 years on television. In addition, it chronicles the social and cultural impact of this TV show produced in the CBC's Montreal studios for English-speaking preschoolers wanting to learn French.

The series is composed primarily of press clippings from English and French daily newspapers, including The Gazette, The Globe and Mail, La Presse and Le Devoir. It also contains articles from magazines and regional newspapers. Several articles published in the 1960s document the show's critical and popular success. In an open letter published in the Montreal Star on October 17, 1966, for example, Kathleen Macpherson, from the organization Voice of Women, praises the CBC for airing shows like "Chez Hélène" that help children develop in a space "free of violence and discrimination." Thelma Dickman also speaks highly of the show in a March 1960 article entitled "Is Canadian TV harming your child?" A page from TV Radio Mirror indicates that the show placed second in the "Best Children's Show" category, just behind "The Friendly Giant," at the fifth annual Liberty All-Canada TV Talent Awards.

Several articles discuss the principles of the "Tan-Gau" method of language learning, which was the approach adopted by the show's creators. Most agree that a large part of the show's success was due to its playful tone and the warm personality of host Hélène Baillargeon-Côté. Quoting numerous testimonials from across the country and the United States, the articles also demonstrate that the show's influence extended far beyond its initial target public to reach television viewers of all ages. Some highlight the actress' professional success while noting the challenges involved in balancing such a career with the demands of being a mother. A 1963 article published in The Gazette reveals that the actress continued to maintain her career as a singer and folklorist, notably with appearances at international events.

Finally, the series documents Hélène Baillargeon-Côté's professional activities after the show's cancellation in 1973. She is listed as a Canadian Court of Citizenship judge in a 1979 Citizenship Day program. Articles published for the 1986 edition of National Volunteer Week, of which she was the honorary president, recount her involvement in various charitable causes. In the late 1980s, she was interviewed for two articles about her life and career in which she looks back and discusses the innovative nature of "Chez Hélène."