The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Lonely Boy

1962 26 min
Leaving soon

This short film portrays the story of singer Paul Anka, who rose from obscurity to become the idol of millions of adolescent fans around the world. Taking a candid look at both sides of the footlights, this film examines the marketing machine behind a generation of pop singers. Interviews with Anka and his manager reveal their perspective on the industry.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Lonely Boy

Details

This short film portrays the story of singer Paul Anka, who rose from obscurity to become the idol of millions of adolescent fans around the world. Taking a candid look at both sides of the footlights, this film examines the marketing machine behind a generation of pop singers. Interviews with Anka and his manager reveal their perspective on the industry.

  • direction
    Wolf Koenig
    Roman Kroitor
  • camera
    Wolf Koenig
  • editing
    John Spotton
    Guy L. Coté
  • sound recording
    Marcel Carrière
    Ron Alexander
  • sound editing
    Kathleen Shannon
  • producer
    Roman Kroitor
  • executive producer
    Tom Daly
  • narrator
    Strowan Robertson

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 14 to 17
School subjects
Brainstorm student knowledge of Paul Anka. Introduce some of his music. Compare Anka's popularity and hype to a similar recording artist of today. Discuss the ways in which advances in technology have influenced the "star-making process." Explore the reasons why and how such stars are manipulated and created.
Lonely Boy
Purchase options
Also available
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.