Biography

Simon van Collem (Amsterdam, March 27, 1919 - Amsterdam, June 21, 1989) was a Dutch journalist and television maker who focused on film journalism. Van Collem worked as a sales manager at a film company in the 1950s. He was asked by Volkskrant editor Bob Bertina to write a series of articles about the history of the Dutch film industry. The series of articles under the title De oude draaidoos appeared in the Volkskrant from December 24, 1954 and led to the invitation in 1958 to make television programs for the VPRO under the title Uit de oude draaidoos. In 1959, Van Collem also wrote the book Uit de oud Draaidoos, which, despite its juicy anecdotes and atmospheric descriptions, was for many years the most important book on Dutch film history.