Jim Robinson (Neighbours)

Jim Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Dale. Jim was created by Reg Watson as one of Neighbours' twelve original characters. He made his on-screen debut in the soap's first episode, which was broadcast on 18 March 1985. Jim was the patriarch of the Robinson family. Dale departed the show in 1993 after falling out with the producers over pay and his character was killed off on 29 April 1993. Dale filmed some scenes for the serial in September 2018, which aired on 25 December 2018 and 25 March 2019.

Jim Robinson
Neighbours character
Portrayed byAlan Dale
Duration1985–1993, 2018–2019
First appearance18 March 1985 (1985-03-18)
Last appearance25 March 2019 (2019-03-25)
Created byReg Watson
Introduced byReg Watson (1985)
Jason Herbison (2018)
Book appearancesNeighbours: The Robinsons – A Family in Crisis (1989)
ClassificationPast; regular
Profile
OccupationEngineer

Creation and casting

Jim is one of the twelve original characters conceived by the creator and then executive producer of Neighbours, Reg Watson.[1] Actor Robin Harrison was originally cast in the role and had already filmed some scenes when his contract negotiations broke down.[2] The role was then recast to Alan Dale in January 1985,[3] and the scenes featuring Harrison were re-shot.[2] Dale had been out of regular work since his role in The Young Doctors ended in 1982, and was appearing in a small role in Possession when he was offered the part of Jim by producer John Holmes.[3][4] The character had intrigued Dale, who thought that parts of Jim's life echoed his own life at the time.[2] He said "It's like it was written for me. It's a great role and naturally it's one I can really relate to. You have to be fairly similar to a character you play, otherwise you'd go insane."[2] Dale chose to relocate from Sydney to Melbourne, where Neighbours is filmed. But he commuted between the two cities for some time while he was still appearing on Possession.[3]

Development

Backstory and characterisation

In his 1988 book Neighbours: Behind the Scenes, James Oram wrote that the role of Jim was vital to Neighbours and described him as an anchor, in the same way Leslie Grantham's role of Den Watts was to British soap opera EastEnders.[2] Jim was introduced as a widowed father of four, who lives in Ramsay Street with his mother-in-law Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy).[5] In his fictional backstory, Helen moved in with Jim after her daughter, Anne, died during childbirth. Helen's husband Bill had also recently died and she was happy to come and help care for her grandchildren: Paul (Stefan Dennis), Julie (Vikki Blanche; Julie Mullins), Scott (Darius Perkins; Jason Donovan) and Lucy (Kylie Flinker; Sasha Close; Melissa Bell).[6]

Jim's original character outline appeared in Oram's book:

Jim Robinson's wife died during the birth of Lucy and since then he has dedicated his life to ensuring that his four children have the best home life he can give them with the help of Helen Daniels. Jim is an understanding and caring father who uses reason in disciplining and educating his children. He has a great sense of fun and enjoys playing with his children. Jim is in partnership in a small engineering works.[2]

When he began filming, Dale admitted that he was trying to get used to his character's large, older brood of children.[3] The children's ages ranged from nine to 21. At the time, Dale's own sons where 14 and 15.[3] He also felt that as he was also a single parent, he could bring some of his own experiences to the role. He stated "There are situations that are very similar to the ones I have had to meet myself. Living in the same situation will help. For example, I am very tactile with my kids – I kiss and cuddle them a lot – and if I hadn't had kids of my own and of that size I wouldn't have known that people really did behave like this."[3] While he shared some similarities with his character, Dale insisted that he was not as steadfast or as patient as Jim.[2]

Josephine Monroe, author of Neighbours: The First 10 Years, stated that Jim was the type of man that other men disliked because he had it all: a nice house, his own business, lovely children and a way with women.[7] Monroe observed that Anne's death had caused Jim's personality to change and there was always a "reserved sadness about him". He was also perceived as being "stuffy and proper".[7] Soap Box author Hilary Kingsley described him as being "reasonable, accessible, quiet and calm."[5] He never argued with Helen and was polite to her friends.[5] Jim was also reliable and understanding, particularly when it came to his children, who he was devoted to.[8]

Relationships

Despite his reputation with women, Jim did not have that many relationships during his time in the show.[7] Dale complained about this, as he thought Jim's celibacy was unrealistic.[7] Shortly after Neighbours began, Jim has a brief relationship with Maria Ramsay's (Dasha Bláhová) sister Anna Rossi (Roslyn Gentle), who leaves him because she does not want to cause a feud between his family and the Ramsays.[9] Jim's next romance is with Zoe Davis (Ally Fowler), which shocks the neighbourhood because she is twenty years his junior. Dale did not think there was anything wrong with an older man dating a younger woman.[10] The relationship does not sit well with the Robinsons and Lucy is especially unhappy about it. However, Jim and Zoe continue to date and are shocked when Zoe becomes pregnant.[11] Jim is reluctant to become a father again in mid-forties and he and Zoe grow distant, as she wants to keep the baby.[11] Jim later proposes to Zoe, but when she suffers an ectopic pregnancy, they break up.[11]

Later that year, Jim meets Englishwoman Ruth Wilson (Stephanie Daniel) on a plane, while he is returning home from the United States.[12] The couple "got on like a house on fire."[12] Ruth checks into Lassiter's Hotel, which is run by Paul. However, when Ruth is unable to pay the bill, Jim steps in and pays it for her. He then invites her to stay with his family for the duration of her visit to Australia.[12]

Producers developed a more prominent relationship between Jim and Beverly Marshall (Lisa Armytage). Dale told Amanda Zachary from TV Week that Jim was so taken with Beverly because he originally had competition for her affections when they first met.[13] Writers soon married the pair but they did not have a traditional wedding. Dale described it as a quiet "family affair" which is conducted at home.[13] Dale was "shocked" when producers informed him that Jim and Beverly would marry. Dale believed it marked a change in Jim's character, after three years of being portrayed as the working single parent. Dale added that "all of sudden he's a married man and his life is turned upside down."[13] Jim's marriage also allowed writers to further explore Jim's characterisation; Dale told Zachary that "Jim has developed a lot more basic warmth and affection." He concluded that building a good rapport with Armytage allowed him to adjust to the married version of Jim.[13]

Departure

Dale stayed for eight years before Jim was killed off.[14] He left when he fell out with the producers over the pay he and the rest of the cast received.[15] In an interview with the Metro newspaper, Dale called his time working for Grundy "the worst experience", he added "They practically forced us to be miserable. It paid me enough to get my boys through their teenage years, but I wasn't happy and we parted on bad terms."[15] Dale also said that the Neighbours producers "stitched" him up on his last day of filming. Jim died of a heart attack and Dale said "they left me lying on the floor all day. They enjoyed themselves".[15] Dale struggled to find work in Australia after Neighbours because he was typecast as Jim.[16]

Return

In September 2018, Dale confirmed that he was filming for Neighbours in a studio in Atlanta. He did not specify what the scenes were or whether it was for the main show or an online webisode.[17] Jess Lee of Digital Spy speculated that Jim may appear as a ghost or an apparition to a family member.[17] Dale had previously paid a visit to the Neighbours set in April 2018, where he was reunited with Dennis (Paul Robinson).[17] Inside Soap later confirmed that Jim would appear in the main show,[18] and he made his appearance as "a dream or ghostly flashback sequence" on 25 December.[19] Of his return, Dale stated that it had "laid a load of ghosts to rest for me", adding "How can I be back? I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise so I'm not going to say much except I was thrilled to be there! I am working with my dear old friend Stefan. It's fun, I hope everyone's going to enjoy it."[20] Further scenes featuring Jim appearing to Paul in a dream aired on 25 March 2019.[21]

Storylines

Jim is a widower, who lives with his four children and mother-in-law Helen Daniels at Number 26 Ramsay Street. Jim has a brief relationship with Anna Rossi, before he begins a relationship with Zoe Davis, who is twenty years his junior. Both Paul and Lucy disapprove of the relationship. Zoe becomes pregnant, but she miscarries and later leaves Erinsborough. Jim then dates Ruth Wilson (Stephanie Daniel) and she is welcomed into the family, before she leaves for London. Jim's daughter Julie later leaves to marry Philip Martin (Christopher Milne; Ian Rawlings). Jim comes into conflict with his youngest son, Scott, when he announces that he is going to marry Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue). Jim eventually gives the couple his blessing. Jim has a love for cars and he buys an old motor racing car. He later buys fifty percent of Rob Lewis' (Ernie Bourne) garage, and after Rob's death, Jim buys the rest of the business. His cousin, Hilary Robinson (Anne Scott-Pendlebury) introduces him to Beverly and they later marry.

Beverly's niece and nephew, Katie (Sally Jensen) and Todd Landers (Kristian Schmid) come to stay and Todd becomes like a son to Jim. Beverly wants children despite Jim's reluctance. After two miscarriages and a failed adoption, the couple separate and Beverly leaves. Jim is shocked when Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett) turns up and reveals he is Jim's son. Jim had a brief relationship with Glen's mother during the Vietnam War. Jim welcomes Glen into the family. Todd dies after being knocked down by a van, devastating Jim. Jim has a massive heart attack following a bike race and needs bypass surgery. Pam Willis (Sue Jones), a nurse at Erinsborough Hospital, helps Jim recover and they begin to develop feelings for each other, but she later reunites with her husband.

Annalise Hartman's (Kimberley Davies) mother, Fiona (Suzanne Dudley), sets her sights on Jim knowing he is wealthy and Jim ignores the warnings from his family that Fiona is a gold digger. Helen and Julie try to warn Jim that Fiona is only after his money, but Jim refuses to listen. The stress of all the feuding takes its toll on Jim and he suffers another heart attack. He collapses on the kitchen floor and dies. Instead of phoning for an ambulance, Fiona transfers his money to her account and lets his sister-in-law Rosemary Daniels (Joy Chambers) discover his body.

Twenty-five years later, after Paul crashes his car on Christmas Day, he regains consciousness and sees a vision of Jim in a Christmas bauble hanging from the mirror. Jim talks to Paul about his various mistakes, including his many failed marriages, broken relationships with his children and his criminal history. Jim tells Paul that it is not too late for him to be the man he wants to be. Paul later sees Jim walking away from him. Months later, still haunted with guilt from not living up to his father's legacy, Paul has another dream about Jim, who expresses his disappointment in Paul's tribute to him, the Robinson Pines housing development, which has been embroiled in a scandal. He tells Paul that he is only thinking of money, and making the same mistakes over and over again.

Reception

The Age's John Westwood branded Jim "the steady father figure of Ramsay Street".[22] Westwood also thought the character was "beleaguered" and observed: "Jim always seems a bit knackered, and small wonder, because if he is not taking philosophical stick from his serious son Paul, little daughter Lucy is pelting him with cheek about his love life."[22]

In 2007, Amazon.co.uk reported that they had sold more DVDs of films and television shows featuring Dale than any featuring other ex-Neighbours cast members. Dale has sold over twice as much as Kylie Minogue (Charlene Robinson).[23] The Times named Jim's death as one of their top 15 most memorable Neighbours moments and The Independent named his death as one of the 10 best soap exits.[24][25]

During a review of Neighbours' 20th anniversary episode, television critic Charlie Brooker expressed his disappointment that Jim did not make an appearance, he said "It's a shame they didn't go the whole hog and include updates from those characters who left Erinsborough in a coffin. I'd have loved to see, say, Jim Robinson bellowing a few lines from heaven (never spoke without shouting, that man)".[26]

In 2010 to celebrate Neighbours' 25th anniversary, BSkyB, a British satellite broadcasting company, profiled 25 characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history.[27] Jim is in the list and describing him they state: "Jim lives on in the collective memory thanks to people declaring whenever Alan Dale is on TV, 'look, Jim Robinson is on Torchwood/24/Ugly Betty, LOL.' Push them harder, and they'll probably just about remember Jim dying of a heart attack in the chintz-tastic Robinson home in 1993. Such is the fate of a family man who didn't really have memorable storylines outside of his four walls, but he did bequeath a set of Soapland's finest, most gently mental children, including villainous 'business' man Paul, occasional stripper Lucy, technically-not-his-daughter Julie, and technically-not-his-monobrow Todd Landers".[27]

In her book Soap Opera, author Dorothy Hobson described Jim as breaking the stereotype of the time because Jim owned a successful business and branded him a "successful role model for a single father running a home."[28] In 2013, Rachael Misstear from the Western Mail included Jim's death in her list of the "10 tear-jerking soap opera exits". She commented "Sad mainly because it marked the end of an era, Neighbours veteran and patriarch Jim Robinson suffered a fatal heart attack and collapsed in very dramatic fashion on the kitchen floor."[29]

References
  1. Mercado 2004, p.202.
  2. Oram 1988, p.108.
  3. Lewis, Jacqueline Lee (20 January 1985). "Solo parent role is close to home for soapy star Alan". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 53. Retrieved 27 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Haywood 1991, p.159.
  5. Kingsley 1988, p.376.
  6. Monroe 1996, p.39.
  7. Monroe 1996, p.41.
  8. Haywood 1991, p.158.
  9. Monroe 1994, p.100.
  10. Oram 1988, p.109.
  11. Monroe 1994, p.134.
  12. Monroe 1994, p.101.
  13. Zachary, Amanda (30 January 1988). "Neighbours nuptials: Now it's Jim's turn to wed... but Eileen's left at the altar!". TV Week: 14–15.
  14. Dessau, Bruce (8 March 2008). "Alan Dale: the Journey from Neighbours to King of Spamalot". The Times. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  15. Williams, Andrew. "Neighbours star slams US sausage". Metro. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  16. "Alan Dale: In My Own Words". The Sunday Telegraph Magazine. 1 June 2008. p. 013.
  17. Lee, Jess (11 September 2018). "Former Neighbours star Alan Dale sparks rumours Jim Robinson is returning from the dead". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  18. "Christmas in Erinsborough – Jim's back!". Inside Soap (48): 44. 1–7 December 2018.
  19. Houghton, Rianne (30 November 2018). "Neighbours star Alan Dale confirms a shock Christmas comeback for Jim Robinson". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  20. Dyke, Peter (29 November 2018). "Neighbours' Jim Robinson to return from the dead on Christmas Day after 25 years". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  21. Kilkelly, Daniel. "Neighbours spoiler: Leo goes public with his new romance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  22. Westwood, John (11 July 1986). "Dramatic Edwardian in Brighton". The Age. p. 18. Retrieved 29 March 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. "Amazon.co.uk: Dale's Sales Thrash ex-Neighbours Stars". Amazon.co.uk. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  24. Teeman, Tim and Jackson, James (5 February 2008). "The top 15 most memorable Neighbours moments". The Times. Retrieved 26 May 2010.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  25. "The 10 best soap exits". The Independent. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  26. Brooker, Charlie (15 October 2005). "Everybody needs good Neighbours". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  27. "Neighbours: 25 Top Characters". Sky Digital. BSkyB. 2010. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  28. Hobson 2003, p.16.
  29. Misstear, Rachael (29 December 2013). "10 tear-jerking soap opera exits that will have you reaching for your hanky". Western Mail. Retrieved 30 December 2013.

Bibliography
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