By Glen Williams
Pictures: David Hahn
Aussie TV and fashion icon Jeanne Little looks back down memory lane.
When it comes to fabulous fashion at the TV Week Logies one woman reigns supreme — Jeanne Little. The flamboyant fashionista has been lighting up the red carpet since 1975 and this week was announced as the winner of the 50 Best Logies Frocks by TV Week magazine. Jeanne’s red carpet resume is so impressive that TV Week‘s judging panel awarded her both first and second prizes, beating the likes of fashionistas Sonia Kruger and Megan Gale. To celebrate her incredible achievement on this 50th anniversary of the TV Week Logies, Jeanne invited Woman’s Day into her home and inside her wardrobe to take a look back at her unforgettable outfits.
How many Logies do you have?
I’ve got three. I take it as an honour because it’s the public voting for you. It’s lovely to win a Logie.
What did winning a Gold Logie in 1976 mean to you?
Well daaahling, I was in total shock. Absolute shock, I thought, “What me? Winning a Gold Logie? For Heaven’s sake this is ridiculous, there’s been a mistake.” I really, honestly, didn’t expect it at all. I’d only been on TV for two years then, so I didn’t expect it.
Your win caused a stir and a wave of jealousy?
Yes I know. Nobody even clapped. Nobody congratulated me, except one person. I wasn’t hurt because nobody expected it and I certainly didn’t. But all I could think was, wow I’m a Gold Logie person!
Do you still see it as the night where Bert Newton shone the brightest?
He was my favourite host. I wish he still hosted it.
Do you enjoy Logies nights?
I love it daaahling. I love clothes and I love to see what get-ups people turn out in. I’ll stand there and go, “Oh she looks shocking, that one looks terrible, she should have done this and that.” They can be real bitchy nights and I loved all that. The food used to be good, but now you’re lucky if you get a couple of chicken legs. And you’re often seated at a table with people you don’t really like.
Everyone talks about the after-parties …
Oh gosh yes you only have to wander by a huddle of people and you’ll pick up so much dirt. It’s just fantastic. I remember Mike Walsh storming out of one. And in the loos there’s all these loose lipped full people saying too much. But overall it’s a fun thing to go to.
You’ve got glamour built into you
Thank you Daahling. It’s probably because my mother was a tailoress. Even when I was young I’d make all my clothes.
So do you say make a bit of effort?
Yes, its TV’s night of nights we can put Australia on the map and look really good. I feel as though as this is the night for TV in Australia. But if they make an effort the photos will go all around the world. Try and look sensational.
Who are some of the big stars you’ve met at the Logies through the years?
Well Burt Lancaster gave me the Gold Logie, he was the most charming man. Really, really lovely. Merle Oberon, can you believe it. They found out she wasn’t who she was supposed to be. It turned out she was born in Calcutta in the slums, she was supposed to be born in Tasmania. She was beautiful. Phyllis Diller and Mohamed Ali were both terrific. I think Burt Lancaster was my favourite. He was so nice.
A lot of the overseas guests look a bit dumbfounded as if they don’t know what a Logie is?
Yes many of them wonder what’s going on.
You’ve said Logies nights are nights where you can pick up more dirt than a top brand vacuum cleaner.
That’s fabulous, dahling, did I say that? You hear it all. You’ll hear people saying “My God, doesn’t she look vile,” as you walk past. Everyone is a target. It used to be funny. People get wine for nothing and they’re all smashed.
Do you recall any celebrity drunken moments?
I certainly do. Dahling, there was this one girl who was as drunk as anything, she just got her Logie and smashed it against the wall. And the top came off and just rolled around on the floor. And I thought, my golly what’s going on? But truly that’s how it was. She was one of your so-called serious actresses and she better remain nameless.
What was your most bizarre Logies moment?
The first one I went to was in 1975. Most people were in jeans and a jacket and looked more like bikies than celebrities. People didn’t at all get dressed up. If they saw me in a gown like this they would have had a heart attack. Then it changed and it got more dressy and glamorous.
For more of this interview, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on sale April 28).
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