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| name = Jim Robinson
| image = JimRobinsondale.jpg
| imagesize =
| portrayer = [[Alan Dale]]
| creator = [[Reg Watson]]
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| last = {{End date|2019|03|25|df=y}}
| years = 1985–1993, 2018–2019
| classification = [[List of
| books = ''Neighbours: The Robinsons – A Family in Crisis'' (1989)
| occupation = Engineer
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| daughters = [[Lucy Robinson (Neighbours)|Lucy Robinson]]
| adoptivedaughters = [[Julie Martin (Neighbours)|Julie Martin]]
| grandfathers = Sam Robinson<ref>{{cite episode|title=Episode 8894|series=Neighbours|series-link=Neighbours|credits=Executive producer: [[Jason Herbison]]; Director: Tony Osicka; Writer: Paul Gartside|network=[[10 Peach]]|airdate=25 July 2022}}</ref>
| grandsons = {{plainlist|
*[[David Tanaka]]
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==Creation and casting==
Jim is one of the twelve original characters conceived by the creator and then executive producer of ''Neighbours'', [[Reg Watson]].<ref name="Super">[[#refmercado|Mercado 2004]], p.202.</ref> Actor Robin Harrison was originally cast in the role and had already filmed some scenes when his contract negotiations broke down.<ref name="Scenes">[[#reforam|Oram 1988]], p.108.</ref> The role was then recast to [[Alan Dale]] in January 1985,<ref name="Lewis">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47424005/solo-parent-role-is-close-to-home-for/|title=Solo parent role is close to home for soapy star Alan|last=Lewis|first=Jacqueline Lee|date=20 January 1985|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|page=53|
==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]]''.<ref name="Scenes"/> Jim was introduced as a widowed father of four, who lives in [[Ramsay Street]] with his mother-in-law [[Helen Daniels]] ([[Anne Haddy]]).<ref name="Kingsley">[[#refkingsley|Kingsley 1988]], p.376.</ref> 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 Robinson (Neighbours)|Paul]] ([[Stefan Dennis]]), [[Julie Martin (Neighbours)|Julie]] ([[Vikki Blanche]]; Julie Mullins), [[Scott Robinson (Neighbours)|Scott]] (Darius Perkins; [[Jason Donovan]]) and [[Lucy Robinson (Neighbours)|Lucy]] (Kylie Flinker; Sasha Close; [[Melissa Bell (actress)|Melissa Bell]]).<ref>[[#refmonroe|Monroe 1996]], p.39.</ref>
Jim's original character outline appeared in Oram's book:
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{{quote|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.<ref name="Scenes"/>}}
When he began filming, Dale admitted that he was trying to get used to his character's large, older brood of children.<ref name="Lewis"/> The children's ages ranged from nine to 21. At the time, Dale's own sons
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.<ref name="Monroe">[[#refmonroe|Monroe 1996]], p.41.</ref> 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".<ref name="Monroe"/> ''Soap Box'' author Hilary Kingsley described him as being "reasonable, accessible, quiet and calm."<ref name="Kingsley"/> He never argued with Helen and was polite to her friends.<ref name="Kingsley"/> Jim was also reliable and understanding, particularly when it came to his children, who he was devoted to.<ref>[[#refhaywood|Haywood 1991]], p.158.</ref>
===Relationships===
Despite his reputation with women, Jim did not have that many romantic relationships during his time in the show
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.<ref>[[#reforam|Oram 1988]], p.109.</ref> 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.<ref name="Zoe">[[#refmonroe2|Monroe 1994]], p.134.</ref> Jim is reluctant to become a father again in mid-forties and he and Zoe grow distant, as she wants to keep the baby.<ref name="Zoe"/> Jim later proposes to Zoe, but when she suffers an [[ectopic pregnancy]], they break up.<ref name="Zoe"/>
Later that year, Jim meets Englishwoman [[List of Neighbours characters (1986)#Ruth Wilson|Ruth Wilson]] (Stephanie Daniel) on a plane, while he is returning home from the United States.<ref name="Ruth">[[#refmonroe2|Monroe 1994]], p.101.</ref> The couple "got on like a house on fire."<ref name="Ruth"/> 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.<ref name="Ruth"/>
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.<ref name=tvweek1>{{cite journal |last1=Zachary |first1=Amanda |title=Neighbours nuptials: Now it's Jim's turn to wed... but Eileen's left at the altar! |journal=[[TV Week]] |date=30 January 1988 |pages=14–15}}</ref> 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.<ref name=tvweek1/> 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."<ref name=tvweek1/> 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.<ref name=tvweek1/>
===Departure===
Dale stayed for eight years before Jim was killed off.<ref name=times>{{cite news |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article3483853.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512001138/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article3483853.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2008|title=Alan Dale: the Journey from Neighbours to King of Spamalot|work=[[The Times]]|date=8 March 2008|first=Bruce|last=Dessau|
===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.<ref name="Lee">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neighbours/news/a865937/neighbours-alan-dale-rumours-jim-robinson-return-from-dead/|title=Former Neighbours star Alan Dale sparks rumours Jim Robinson is returning from the dead|last=Lee|first=Jess|date=11 September 2018|work=[[Digital Spy]]|
==Storylines==
Jim is a widower, who lives with his four children and mother-in-law Helen Daniels at Number 26 Ramsay Street. His wife had died in 1975 when giving birth to their youngest child.
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 (Neighbours)|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 Robinson|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 (Neighbours)|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's niece and nephew, [[Katie Landers|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. However, Beverly’s son Todd stays with Jim, and he is devastated in July 1992 when Todd dies after being hit by a car.
[[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. Helen refuses to watch Jim make a fool of himself and moves out of their home to live with Julie and Philip. The stress of all the feuding takes its toll on Jim and after playing in the garden with granddaughter [[Hannah Martin]] ([[Rebecca Ritters]]) he suffers another heart attack. He collapses on the kitchen floor and dies.
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".<ref name="Westwood">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47564779/dramatic-edwardian-in-brighton/|title=Dramatic Edwardian in Brighton|last=Westwood|first=John|date=11 July 1986|work=[[The Age]]|page=18|
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]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/press/pr/20072709|title=Amazon.co.uk: Dale's Sales Thrash ex-''Neighbours'' Stars|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon.co.uk]]|date=27 September 2007|
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)".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/oct/15/tvandradio.screenburn|title=Everybody needs good Neighbours|last=Brooker|first=Charlie|date=15 October 2005|work=[[The Guardian]]|
In 2010 to celebrate ''Neighbours''{{'}} 25th anniversary, [[BSkyB]], a British [[satellite broadcasting|satellite broadcasting company]], profiled 25 characters of which they believed were the most memorable in the series history.<ref name="a">{{cite news|url=http://tv.sky.com/neighbours |title=Neighbours: 25 Top Characters |work=[[Sky (UK and Ireland)|Sky Digital]] |publisher=[[BSkyB]] |year=2010 |
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."<ref>[[#refhobson|Hobson 2003]], p.16.</ref> In 2013, Rachael Misstear from the ''[[Western Mail (Wales)|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."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/top-10-tear-jerking-soap-deaths-6450039|title=10 tear-jerking soap opera exits that will have you reaching for your hanky|last=Misstear|first=Rachael|date=29 December 2013|work=[[Western Mail (Wales)|Western Mail]]|
==References==
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[[Category:Fictional Australian military personnel]]
[[Category:Fictional engineers]]
[[Category:Fictional ghosts]]
[[Category:Fictional Vietnam War veterans]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 1985]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Robinson family (Neighbours)]]
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