A Tribute to Bill Collins ("Mr Movies") Australian TV's finest film critic

Image: Fox Classics

He has been a part of Australian television for over five decades. Now in his eighties, Bill Collins (OAM) hosts classic movies each week on cable television (Fox Classics) after doing the same gig on free-to-air television in the 70's, 80's and 90's. His passion for movies, particularly from Hollywood's 'golden age', makes his commentaries more interesting than the actually films. 

You can tell he was a former school teacher - the way he speaks to his audience. 

"Have you read .....?"

"You really should read ....."

Collins is a bibliophile. Over the years he has amassed a huge library of novels (particularly out-of print and limited editions), movie related books and soundtracks. He assiduously researches the coming movies he will host - no Wikipedia or IMDB with this guy.

During "Intermission" Bill will wax lyrical about casting choices, camera work, costumes, musical scores (don't get him started on Erich Korngold or Max Steiner!), anecdotes and adapted screenplays vs original novels. It isn't unusual for him to have a book review interlude.

His taste in movies is eclectic. One night he hosted the confronting "Wake in Fright" (1970) back to back with sci-fi"The War of the Worlds" (1953).

Catch Bill on YouTube. There are stacks of clips from the 80's and 90's. Start off with his introduction to "Manhattan Melodrama". It'll knock your socks off.

Love Live Mr Movies. A living legend of the airwaves.

Image: You Tube

ABC3 Kids Television

Quality kids television (aimed at the 8 year+ age group) that blitzes the cable alternative (Nick/Disney) on Australian TV ... and it's FREE.
Friday night has amazing anime (albeit English dubbed). Witty, well produced British kids shows (far superior to Nickelodeon pap). Plus new episodes of the Australian produced "Nowhere Boys", U.K.'s "Horrible Histories" and repeats of the sublime "Outnumbered".
BUT, NO ONE WATCHES IT. Last night's ratings were 0.5% viewers.
Go figure. I am assuming the shows do better in the overseas market.

Melbourne vs Sydney....Views, fashion, laneways, TV and wearing black

I love winter. Reading a trashy novel by the open fire. It's bleak in Melbourne, Australia at the moment - 13 degrees MAX but the wind makes it feel like 5 degrees (Celsius). By the fire, this is my 'room with a view'.
Melbourne people dress well in winter (cool clothes, cool climate). You see some Sydney cashed up matrons swanning around Double Bay, trying to wear cool coats in Sydney's winter - it just doesn't work. You can slag off our chilly winters but you can't slag off our fashion sense (well, except mine).
I am going to make some gross generalisations here, but it's my blog so stuff it.
Melbourne people don't normally worry about views when they are dining - you only have to see the lines of alleyway cafes and bistros in the CBD. Sydney people crave views - around its beautiful harbour, waterways, from tall buildings. Once you're walking around downtown Sydney, it's pretty drab. No lanes, atmospheric alleyways, impressive 19th century architecture like Melbourne. But more Melbourne residents are quite happy at home watching the box. You only have to look at the higher viewer numbers in the Melbourne TV ratings (compared to the Harbour City).
Let's talk television some more. Melbourne also produces better quality television than Sydney. Made in Melbourne (mostly live) shows like "RocKwiz", "Adam Hills Tonight", "Spicks and Specks", "The Project", "This Week Live". Melbourne pioneered the live talk show/variety show in Australia with Graham Kennedy's IMT ("In Melbourne Tonight") in 1957.
David Williamson wrote a play about Sydney called "Emerald City" - style over substance, bling and banality. I'm probably pissing off Sydneysiders. I am a biased Melburnian. One last shot: Melburnians wear black better.
Back to the open fire.

7 classic television shows they CAN'T bring back

It would be impossible to revive these shows because of the unique contribution of the leading actors:

• "Columbo" = Peter Falk
• "Dad's Army" R.I.P. John Le Mesurier, Arthur Lowe, Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee.
• "Steptoe and Son"  Unique blend of humour and pathos
• "Up Pompeii"  Frankie Howard, tailor made vehicle
• "The Honeymooners"  Jackie Gleason+Art Carney+Audrey Meadows=TV magic
• "The Odd Couple"  Who was the genius who cast Tony Randall and Jack Klugman?
• "Fawlty Towers"  unimaginable

Remember Abbott and Costello?

Image Courtesy Wikipedia.org

I was watching an episode from Abbott and Costello's TV series (circa 1952). The one about the haunted house - moving candles, gorilla and secret panels. Corny but quite delightful. My 19 year old daughter was also in the room (multi-tasking with her laptop). She started laughing at the shtick with the gorilla and the revolving panel. She made some comment about seeing something similar on "Family Guy". Generation Y learns History, society and culture through "The Simpsons", "Futurama" and "Family Guy" references.

Bud and Lou were recreating their routines from burlesque days. They even entered and exited using curtains. There is something naive and wonderful about their routines. The impeccable timing, the innocent humour, the glances at the audience.
More please.

"The Mimic" TV series, Episode 1, Channel 4, review

I know this is The Brady Bunch, but I got lazy.

My wife and I watched  a sweet little comedy last night.When you aren't expecting much, television can surprise you. Blending poignancy, gentle humour and excellent voice impersonations, this show works. Terry Mynott spouts Terry Wogan, Gok Wan, Owen Wilson, Al Pacino, Allan Carr and in a delightful final scene, Sir David Attenborough.The impersonations support the storyline, rather than detract from it.

Best 'dramedy' since Coogan and Brydon's "The Trip". Looking forward to next week's episode.

Late night television gems

Okay, so for some reason you are awake in front of the box (the television) in the wee small hours - say between 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
 Is there anything worth watching on free-to-air digital? This post pertains to Australian TV. I should have said that first, I suppose.
We pulled the plug on cable once our daughter outgrew Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel and discovered the Internet (like her parents). Broadband is cheaper than monthly cable. No brainer.

For old farts, things aren't too bad (as long as you can navigate around the mind-numbing, yet weirdly addictive Home Shopping programs). So here are some gems I found in the local TV guide over the last two nights:

Old movies
I was waxing lyrical about The Seven Per-Cent Solution a few posts ago, suddenly the damn movie is on ABC 1 at 12:30 a.m. today!  Haven't seen the movie in 30 years! It's wonderful, by the way.
Last night you had Cool Hand Luke (Paul Newman at his peak), or ....Klute (70's cool thriller) followed by The Lavender Hill Mob (legendary Ealing comedy). At the same time on a rival channel, The Saint Takes Over. Anything with George Sanders is good value. That voice! Followed by The Saint's Vacation (sadly sans Sanders).

Music
The ever-reliable Rage - yesterday's guest presenters, Margaret and David. Go figure. Great music videos all night.

Weird stuff
Horror in the Black Museum, dodgy English exploitation movie. Lurid and atrociously acted.
The Love Boat - I can't watch this without having my mouth gaping ... how did this show stay on for so long? It is so bad, it is addictive. I love the ship's swimming pool scenes.

Nostalgia
Hart to Hart, Dangerman and last, but not least, The Avengers. I am sure many blogs have raved on about John Steed and Mrs Peel, so I won't. All this before the sun comes up.

On a stinking hot night, in an Australian summer, check out the box....

Caution ....family pet photo-bombing my blog.

Television shows they should bring back!

Look at all the recycled crap being brought back -  90210, Dallas, Hawaii Five-O, Charlie's Angels, Mockingbird Lane (The Munsters) - granted, the last two got cancelled pretty damn quickly.

Here's my wishlist:

• Thank God You're Here *
• The Panel *
• The Late Show *
• Talking About Your Generation *
• Father Ted
• The Hour
• North Square
• This Life
• Black Books
• The I.T. Crowd
• Drop the Dead Donkey
• The Name of the Game (How old are you?)
• The Avengers
• The Samurai (the first Japanese show I ever saw)
• Thriller (U.K. early 1970's)
• Kolchak: The Night Stalker
• The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (ahead of its time - loved the way Dwayne Hickman would talk to the camera - and the dynamite supporting cast - Tuesday Weld, Frank Faylen, Warren Beatty, William Schallert
• The X-Files (My daughter's pick)
• Callan, The Professionals, The Sweeney, The Persuaders (My wife's pick)

Fat chance, but it's nice to look back.

* Australian shows

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. Or is it?

Cleaning out a top shelf at my dad's place today I found a blast from the past. My old toy drumsticks. God knows why they were in the pantry. 1960 flooded back to me - prep year, my old house in Ivanhoe, watching Disneyland on the "ADMIRAL" telly. Admiral was one of the first words I wrote - staring at the box for hours each day. A true "TV kid". And proud of it.

 Objects can be powerful. Not sure what I'll do with the drumsticks. Beat it.