0/5

Bill Collins for Logies’ Hall of Fame

TV Week will induct the legendary Bill Collins into its Hall of Fame, recognising 46 years on Australian television.

bill-collins11A rather fabulous choice by TV Week announced today will see Bill “Mr. Movies” inducted into the Hall of Fame at next month’s Logie Awards.

Movie critic and presenter Bill Collins has appeared on Australian television screens for 46 years, surpassing his peers and helping Australian audiences to appreciate movie-making across a landscape of cinema.

Collins first came to recognition on ABC TV, presenting and producing a series of segments on film appreciation. Over the ensuing decades, he gained national fame through hosting his much-loved Golden Years Of Hollywood series on Channels Nine, Seven and TEN. He continues to present the series on Foxtel’s FOX Classics, which has been his on air home since 1995.

In 1987 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to film and television.

TV Tonight interviewed Bill Collins in January when he said, “I started on the ABC in 1963, but I started writing about films in a magazine called TV Times.

“And before I could turn around there I was presenting The Golden Years of Hollywood on Channel Nine on Friday nights, and I’ve been on TV ever since.”

Despite being closely associated with the films of Hollywood he is just as enthusiastic for other international cinema.

“I love British and Italian and Japanese films, but Hollywood’s are the ones I present. Just because I present those doesn’t mean my range isn’t a bid wider. I love films from all over. Directors like Visconte and Fellini. They are golden years films from Italy.”

Collins will join past recipients including Hector Crawford, Paul Hogan, Bert Newton, Bryan Brown, John Young, James Davern, Reg Grundy, Charles “Bud” Tingwell, Jack Thompson, Graham Kennedy, Bruce Gyngell, Ruth Cracknell, Don Lane and John Clarke.

14 Responses

  1. What a shame that bill isn’t on FTA anymore they could put him on a Saturday night and he could present old classics like psycho the birds the Poseidon adventure the towering inferno etc

  2. I, too, grew up watching Bill on Ten. Fond memories of watching Shirley Temple and Mickey Rooney/Andy Hardy movies at my Grandparent’s home on a Sunday afternoon- not that there was much viewing choice back then. He gave my generation an appreciation of old movies. Still have tapes of classic movies with Bill’s intros.They really should show some Bill Collins bloopers during the Logies induction- nothing funnier than seeing Bill drop the F bomb and getting all frustrated with an intro he can’t get right.

  3. As I said in January after David’s interview, Bill Collins is a Living Treasure.
    This award is a fitting recognition of his work in front of his peers.
    Congratulations Bill.

  4. An absolutely fantastic choice!! Bill is a true veteran of Australian television who thoroughly deserves this recognition. His knowledge of that great era of motion pictures is truly second to none and given to all those who have watched him over the years a greater appreciation of the films from those early years. Long live Bill!

  5. I can only repeat what I’ve said elsewhere – it’s very well deserved by a wonderful presenter who has given plenty of joy to generations of viewers.

    I grew up watching him on Ch 10 for years and I think he must be the first film critic to receive such an award.

    Congratulation Mr. Collins on your worthy addition!

Leave a Reply