The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei was once again glittering with stars and celebrities March 26 for the 1983 Golden Bell Awards ceremony which featured several new ideas to uplift the Republic of China's television and radio broadcasting industry. But many of the old attractions were there too: the stars nervously waiting to see if they would be selected as award winners; the flood of smiles and sometimes tears as winners were announced; the thanks to colleagues, family and friends, and just about everyone who made it all possible. In countless homes throughout Taiwan, viewers watched intently as they waited to see if their favorite performers and programs would be honored.
The Golden Bell awards were established 18 years ago by the Government Information Office (GIO) to encourage and recognize talented people in the radio and television broadcasting industry. Today, the award is considered to be the highest honor in the field in the ROC.
Four years ago, big changes began to take place in the organization of the awards system. The ceremony was enlarged and televised fully, and foreign guests were invited to attend. These changes attracted attention abroad as well as in Taiwan, and the awards began to fulfil their aims of promoting internationalism, professionalism and high artistic standards.
Under the guidance of the GIO, the awards ceremony itself reached a high level in terms of performance, set design and choice of hosts and hostesses. Last year it was decided to hand over organization to the private sector, and this year the China Television Co. was entrusted with the task.
Although all the presentations this year were done by local celebrities, foreign guests were present in their usual strength. The most famous among them were Barbara Eden of the television series "I Dream of Jeannie," and Paul Ryan, the American talk show host. Many backstage professionals from abroad also shared their technical know-how with their local counterparts.
Among dignitaries in the audience were Mrs. Chiang Ching-kuo, wife of the President of the Republic of China, GIO director-general Dr. James Soong and Mrs Soong, and Mrs Anna Chennault. Host and hostess were ChangTi and Teresa Teng.
The first award, for educational and cultural programming, was presented to the program "Acme." China Television Co.'s "A Special Report on a Trip through Northern Thailand" won two awards, one for Best News Program and the other for Best Television reporter, Tang Chien-ming.
The program was based on a trip to northern Thailand by reporters Tang and Yuan Hsiang-teh, who investigated the living conditions of Chinese refugees who were pushed southward after the fall of the mainland. These refugees are not only struggling against harsh natural surroundings, but must also be prepared for frequent encounters with Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese Communists. But their anti-communist resolve never wavers.
Wu Jung-ken, who fled the mainland in an MIG last year, joked with hostess Teng about his marriage plans, but was serious when he presented awards to the Central Broadcasting System and the Air Force Broadcasting Station. Wu pointed out that he was inspired to seek freedom by broadcasts from Taiwan. "So today, as I present awards to these two stations which broadcast to the mainland, I am not actually presenting awards, but rather representing the millions of my compatriots still on the mainland in expressing their deepest gratitude to these stations' employees."
Chang Hsiao-yen won an award for her show "Variety 100" for the third year running. She was not complacent about winning however, and saw in it proof of her constant improvement, and encouragement to do even better next year. She also joked with host Chang Ti, who in the past had been a finalist but never won. Chang said that although she has won often she has never been a hostess at the awards ceremony, and offered her services for next year.
As well as recognizing outstanding talent in the broadcasting industry, the sponsors recognized those who had made contributions in the past. Posthumous awards were given to James Wei and Mei Chang-ling, both of whom died during the past year.
After a dance number, hostess Teresa Teng interviewed Barbara Eden and Paul Ryan. Miss Eden appeared slender in an elegant gown, and when asked how she kept her figure, replied: "I stay in the bottle and I never kan pei (bottoms up)."
Winners in the singing category were the same as last year, Liu Wen-cheng and Fong Fei-fei.
Liu, winning for the third time, has already announced he will not be in the running next year, to give some one else a chance.
The best actor and actress awards went to Yi Ming and Li Chih-lin respectively. Both are veteran actors and won because of their talent, not their youthful good looks. They are proof that if one works hard and continually improves, age is no barrier to success.
Upon receiving his award, Yi Ming turned to GIO Director-General Soong, and thanked him, saying, "Because you have helped and stressed the importance of actors, you have elevated our profession. We also feel our own responsibilities have increased. Besides being entertainers, we feel we are social educators as well."
[Picture Caption]
1. The sound of this golden bell opened this year's Golden Bell Awards Ceremony. 2. Broadcaster Ma Hsing-yeh (right) presented one of the writers' awards. 3. The ceremony was broadcast nationwide. 4. March 26, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was packed with a wide array of television and radio personalities who had come for the Golden Bell Awards Ceremony. 5. Among those in attendance were Mrs. Chiang Ching-kuo, the first lady of the ROC, (second from right), and Dr. James Soong, Director-General of the Government information Office, and his wife (third and fourth from right).
1. Anti-communist defector, Wu Jung-ken, presented a special award to the Air Force and Central Broadcasting Stations on behalf of his compatriots on the mainland who listen to their broadcasts. 2. Hostess Teresa Teng performed a number for the audience. 3. A dance performance staged by the China Culture College. 4. "Variety 100" hostess, Chang Hsiao-yen, won her third Golden Bell. 5. This was also Liu Wen-cheng's third award, his all for "Best Male Singer". 6. Barbara Eden and Paul Ryan travelled from the US to attend the ceremony. 7. Reporter Tang Chien-ming and photographer Yuan Hsiang-teh, won awards for their report on northern Thailand. 8. Father Martinson accepted the award given to "Acme" in the Television Education and Culture category.
1. Actors from the series "Paris Airport" won awards. 2. Chang Ti sang about the hardships of working backstage. 3. A performance featuring traditional Chinese umbrellas. 4-7. Some of this year's lucky winners.
1. Veteran singer Ching Shan (center) and Pao Na-na (left) present Liu Wen-cheng with his award. 2. "Mother Goose" Chao Li-lien and Niu Ya-ting presented the Children's Program Award. 3. Yi Ming received the Best TV Actor Award. 4. Winner of the Best New Actress Award, Teng Wei-ting. 5. Hong Kong star Cheng Shao-chiou sang the theme song from "Chu Liu-hsiang". 6. Hong Kong actress, Chao Ya-chih, was interviewed by host Chang Ti. 7. This dance number symbolized the courage and spirit of those who defy the communist system and defect. 8. Child actor Wen Fei-chou, at three, was the youngest winner.
2. Broadcaster Ma Hsing-yeh （right） presented one of the writers' awards.
3. The ceremony was broadcast nationwide.
4. March 26, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was packed with a wide array of television and radio personalities who had come for the Golden Bell Awards Ceremony.
5. Among those in attendance were Mrs. Chiang Ching-kuo, the first lady of the ROC, （second from right）, and Dr. James Soong, Director-General of the Government information Office, and his wife （third and fourth from right）.
1. Anti-communist defector, Wu Jung-ken, presented a special award to the Air Force and Central Broadcasting Stations on behalf of his compatriots on the mainland who listen to their broadcasts.
2. Hostess Teresa Teng performed a number for the audience.
6. Barbara Eden and Paul Ryan travelled from the US to attend the ceremony.
3. A dance performance staged by the China Culture College.
4. "Variety 100" hostess, Chang Hsiao-yen, won her third Golden Bell.
5. This was also Liu Wen-cheng's third award, his all for "Best Male Singer".
7. Reporter Tang Chien-ming and photographer Yuan Hsiang-teh, won awards for their report on northern Thailand.
8. Father Martinson accepted the award given to "Acme" in the Television Education and Culture category.
1. Actors from the series "Paris Airport" won awards.
3. A performance featuring traditional Chinese umbrellas.
2. Chang Ti sang about the hardships of working backstage.
4-7. Some of this year's lucky winners.
4-7. Some of this year's lucky winners.
4-7. Some of this year's lucky winners.
4-7. Some of this year's lucky winners.
1. Veteran singer Ching Shan （center） and Pao Na-na （left） present Liu Wen-cheng with his award.
2. "Mother Goose" Chao Li-lien and Niu Ya-ting presented the Children's Program Award.
3. Yi Ming received the Best TV Actor Award.
4. Winner of the Best New Actress Award, Teng Wei-ting.
5. Hong Kong star Cheng Shao-chiou sang the theme song from "Chu Liu-hsiang".
6. Hong Kong actress, Chao Ya-chih, was interviewed by host Chang Ti.
7. This dance number symbolized the courage and spirit of those who defy the communist system and defect.
8. Child actor Wen Fei-chou, at three, was the youngest winner.
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)
