#FIRSTLOOK: “THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH”

22-year-old Beverly Lynn Smith was murdered in her rural Oshawa home and the case remained unsolved for over four decades, as she left behind her ten-month-old daughter Rebecca. Prime Video Docu-Series THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH from Director/Producer Nathalie Bibeau, is part of the streaming service’s commitment to showcasing Canadian talent and stories, and explores this mystery in four parts. The investigation raises more questions the deeper it goes.

The first couple episodes of the Series start off on an intense note, taking us back to the mid-70s. These serve to give us a bit of backstory on the circumstances and surroundings as we meet key players in the story including Smith’s twin sister Barbara, a grown-up Rebecca, some of the officers involved in the investigation and Al Smith, who was arrested twice in connection to the killing, but still never convicted.

While moving into a farmhouse and having a baby with her husband Doug was meant to be a happily-ever-after, it was anything but. We learn that some days almost upwards of 150 people would pass through their home to buy drugs and perhaps the marriage wasn’t rosy. But still, what was at stake for Beverly Lynn Smith‘s killer taking her life, execution style?

Having grown-up in humble Oshawa, it is hard to believe that this is the same city I was born in as we learn of drug rings and an undercover police operation that sounded like it was part of a Thriller. We get wiretaps, police interviews, actual interviews with said key players, plus re-enactments in telling this suspenseful, twisted tale about a family’s search for justice when the crime remained unsolved for 40+ years. What went wrong we wonder that led to this remaining a cold case so long?

THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH premieres at Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival on April 30, 2022, before launching in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Prime Video on May 6, 2022.

#FIRSTLOOK: “PRIME VIDEO PRESENTS CANADA” SHOWCASE

We were so thrilled to attend the Prime Video Presents Canada Showcase at historic Massey Hall. The event highlighted Prime Video‘s place as not only a streaming service, but an Entertainment Hub focusing on shining a spotlight on homegrown talent and voices, to the diverse audience that is Canadians. Partnerships with the likes of StackTV has allowed Prime Video to diversify its audience base which traditionally might’ve subscribed to certain networks and specialty channels only on cable.

Head of Prime Video Canada, Magda Grace tells us, “This has been many years in the making. We want to draw focus to local talent in-front of and behind the camera. shining spotlight on homegrown talent.”. “Our focus is customer obsession and curating the best entertainment for diverse local audiences.”.

To date, there have been 25 Prime Video productions based in Canada and they currently are developing ten Canadian productions to be enjoyed around the globe. The numbers speak for themselves. Prime Video subscribers thanks to hit series like The Wheel of Time, are streaming 70 more hours of programming per year, in over 240 countries around the world.

An exciting slate of programming was unveiled today at the event, focusing entirely on productions that were made here in Canada or have been green-lit to be made in Canada soon!

KIDS IN THE HALL

Iconic Canadian Comedy Outfit KIDS IN THE HALL are back and their hilarious brand of Sketch can be seen on Prime Video beginning May 13, 2022. All five original members reunite on the Series, which just premiered at SXSW ’22 and appearing today at the event were Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson. A two-part Documentary about KIDS IN THE HALL also will arrive on the service May 20, 2022.

On their long-awaited reunion, McCulloch summed it up, “Isn’t it funny to hear old people talk dirty??”.

GARY AND HIS DEMONS SEASON TWO

Toronto Funnyman Mark Little‘s Animated demon-slaying Series called CBC and CBC Gem its own for its first season. Its second season will be coming soon to Prime Video Canada! In 2019 it was awarded Best Web Series at the Canadian Screen Awards.

Little tells us he came up with the idea for the Show while he was in the hospital with a broken ankle, taking stock of life.

THE LAKE

Perhaps the most-buzzed title at the presentation this year was THE LAKE. The Series was filmed in North Bay starring Orphan Black‘s Jordan Gavaris, Madison Shamoun and Hollywood star Julia Stiles.

Showrunner Julian Doucet tells us the Series actually is quite autobiographical. He says, “After high school, me and my girlfriend gave-up our baby for adoption. We chose the parents and are very involved with our daughter’s life. The Show explores what if me and my daughter took a vacation together?”.

Stiles tells us, “The experience moving to North Bay was beautiful. I was not familiar with the society of the lake. It was very insular. The lake is the Lake. Their games nights were a ride or die charades. They know everything about each other. Their lake is the only lake on the planet.”.

On her character Maisy, she says, “She’s competitive, petty and selfish. She likes to see the competition fail. It’s so satisfying and now I feel like a horrible person.”.

THE LAKE arrives June 17, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

THREE PINES

Filmed in Quebec, upcoming Series THREE PINES, based on the Novels by Louise Penny, stars Alfred Molina. Penny tells us how moved learning that Molina was cast in the role of Armand, whom is based loosely on her husband whom she says, “understood the gift of life”.

Molina who couldn’t make it to Toronto, tells us via video about his experience filming in Quebec. “My preparation involved reading the Novels. He is operating on different levels. Armand‘s strongest trait as a Detective is his empathy for both victims and perpetrators. I had the best experience working with the Crew, filming from August to late December and you’ll see us following the seasons through the episodes. It was beautiful and I’d work with them for the rest of my life.”.

THREE PINES arrives in 2023 on Prime Video Canada. Left Bank Pictures, which produces THE CROWN, also produces.

THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH

This upcoming Docu-Series recalls a 50+ year murder case which still remains unsolved. Smith at the age of 22 was murdered in Oshawa and the Series puts a human face to true crime, while revealing all twists and turns with empathy. Directed by Nathalie Bibeau, the Series arrives May 6, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

SUGAR

Feature Film SUGAR stars The Shadowhunters’ Katherine McNamara, Jasmin Sky Sarin and Riverdale‘s Anthony Timpano. It is based on a true story of two girls from Montreal who went on a boat cruise, only to get way more than they bargained for. Sarin and Timpano were in-attendance at the presentation.

Sarin says, “These girls go on a beautiful cruise, going to amazing places, documenting everything online. They’re having fun till they aren’t. This is not what they signed-up for and they find themselves in a drug smuggling operation, fighting for their lives.”.

LOL: QUI RIRA LE DERNIER

If you loved LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, hosted by Jay Baruchel, a Quebec version of the Comedy Reality Series Competition putting Comedians against one another, is soon to be filmed! Actor Patrick Huard (Bon Cop, Bad Cop) will host.

JUSTE POUR RIRE

Nav Saini, Head of Content, Prime Video Canada announced today that the service will be collaborating for the first time ever with Just for Laughs on a French Comedy Special, to be filmed in Quebec. The Special is to be titled JUSTE POUR RIRE. More to come.

THE STICKY

Just green-lit this upcoming Series, from Executive Producer Jamie Lee Curtis, is based on a true story of Ruth Clarke and the Maple Syrup Heist. Filming for this Blumhouse production is to begin this Summer as Lee Curtis told us via video.

UNTITLED THE TRAGICALLY HIP DOCUMENTARY

Mike Downie, brother of late The Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie, helms an upcoming Documentary due in 2024 about his brother and the Band’s success and legacy. The surviving Bandmembers attended the event. Fun fact, we learned that the Band actually got signed to a record deal after playing at the Toronto Music Awards, which took place as Massey Hall – a full circle moment.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada/George Pimentel)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH”

Prime Video Canada released the new Trailer today for upcoming Docu-Series for THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH. The Series centers on an unsolved murder of an Oshawa woman in 1974. The Docu-Series premieres at Hot Docs 2022 before its release on the streaming service.

Synopsis:
Beverly Lynn Smith lived in a rustic farmhouse in the industrial community of Oshawa, Ontario with her husband and 10-month-old baby. On December 9, 1974, she was murdered in the kitchen of her home. Alan Smith (no relation to Beverly Lynn Smith), has been a central character in the investigation since the night of the murder almost 50 years ago. By 2007, the case had gone cold, until the results of a polygraph test raised suspicions, and Smith became a key person of interest—and the target of a controversial police investigation. Through all the twists and turns, Smith has always maintained his innocence.

Prime Video Canada release THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH May 6, 2022.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)