Bill Collins (television presenter)

Bill Collins
Born (1934-12-04) 4 December 1934
Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia

William Roderick "Bill" Collins OAM (born 4 December 1934) is an Australian film critic and film historian, radio and television presenter. journalist, author and lecturer best known for presenting synopsis of Hollywood films in Australia, he specializes in the Classical Hollywood cinema, and his favourite film is Gone With the Wind. He is well known for his association with Foxtel, presenting movies on the cable movie channel FOX Classics.

Biography

Bill Collins, is an iconic film reviewer and critic, dubbed "Mr. Movies", he was born in Sutherland, Sydney[1] the son of a policeman and school teacher, he was educated at Canterbury Boys' High School and the University of Sydney, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Latin in 1956, a Diploma of Education in 1957 and a Master of Education in 1965.

Originally an English school teacher at East Hills Boys High School and his alma mater Canterbury Boys' High School, and later lecturer at Sydney Teachers College, Collins' appreciation of cinema led him to write reviews in the early 1960s and resulted in him working as a film presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (then Commission) . He moved from the ABC to the commercial station TCN Channel 9 working there between 1967–74; later moving to ATN Channel 7 from 1975 to 1979. In 1980 he moved to Network Ten to present movies nationally. He is currently presenting movies on the Foxtel movie network.[2]

Widely recognised in Australia for his passionate enthusiasm for films, his profile allowed him to meet and become acquainted with a range of film makers from the "Golden Age of Hollywood". His presentations usually consist of a brief review of the film and its actors, specific discussion of filming techniques, theme music, as well as personal recollections and quotes from the film makers he had interviewed. Since 23 October 1995 he has presented films for the Foxtel cable television network FOX Classics.[2] His celebrity status has allowed him to take cameo roles in film and television, notably Prisoner (1985) and Howling III (1987).[3]

Personal life

Collins resides in Berry, New South Wales with his wife, Joan.[4] In addition to his television work, he lectures at the University of Sydney on film and related subjects.[5] In 1987, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to film and television.[6] Also in 1987, his book of film reviews and essays, Bill Collins Presents "The Golden Years of Hollywood", was published.

Media Awards and honours

In 2009, Collins was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.[7] In 2013, he received the inaugural ASTRA Lifetime Achievement Award.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Talking Heads – Bill Collins, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 17 April 2006.
  2. 1 2 Moran, Albert: COLLINS, BILL Australian Television Personality, The Museum of Broadcast Communications.
  3. ↑ Bill Collins at the Internet Movie Database
  4. ↑ TV hall of fame for Mr Movies Bill Collins, The Australian, 27 April 2009.
  5. ↑ Speaker Details: Bill Collins, Saxton Speakers Bureau.
  6. ↑ COLLINS, William Roderick OAM, It's an Honour, 26 January 1987.
  7. ↑ ""Critic Collins gets Logies Hall of Fame honour" ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  8. ↑ Bill Collins to receive ASTRA Lifetime Achievement Award, Mumbrella, 25 July 2013.

See also

External links

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