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Bill Collins wraps 55 years of movie hosting

End of an era as 'Mr. Movies' hands over hosting duties to Graeme Blundell.

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Legendary Bill ‘Mr Movies’ Collins will tonight bow out from his 55 years as a film reviewer on television.

Foxtel has announced his last-ever hosting of Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood on FOX Classics, as he hands over duties to actor, writer and  television critic for The Australian, Graeme Blundell.

For over 55 years Collins has introduced generations of Australians to the world of movies, becoming much-loved for his passion, detail and knowledge of classic Hollywood movie-making.

Beginning his career as a teacher and later a college lecturer, Collins moved into television in 1963 as a presenter / producer of film appreciation segments on ABC’s Roundabout. Later he went on to work as a movie presenter at Nine, Seven and famously at TEN before signing with Foxtel for its launch in 1995.

For the past 23 years he has been FOX Classics’ resident movie critic, honoured with an Order of Australia Medal in 1987, a Logies Hall of Fame Award in 2009 and the inaugural ASTRA Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2013.

“To all my fans, I want to say thank you for your support of the Golden Years of Hollywood. Thank you so much, you’ve brought me so much pleasure. We’ve got some wonderful movies available On Demand from the Golden Years of Hollywood. I hope you continue to support and enjoy these films.”

Graeme Blundell said, “It’s a great honour to continue the tradition of Bill’s foundation work on FOX Classics. There’s no doubt Bill is one of Australia’s best known and most loved movie presenters ever to appear on television, and it’s likely that he’s been adored by not only your parents but your grandparents too.

“His unique style, insight and passion for movies of the Golden Years of Hollywood has straddled many generations. Indeed the films from this era owe him a huge debt for keeping these wonderful classics alive over many decades.”

Golden Years of Hollywood will continue to be available On Demand.

Bill Collins Golden Years of Hollywood “The Long Hot Summer” (1958) 8:30pm tonight on FOX Classics.

6 Responses

  2. Oh, no. I will miss him so much. What a charming man, and such a font of friendly knowledge. He has fed my love of cinema since I was a very small child. God bless you, Bill.

  3. I’ve always enjoyed hearing his stories about meeting different Hollywood Stars. And his behind the scenes trivia on such classic movies. His love for the Golden Age was infectious. Wishing him all the best for the future.

  4. Discovering him after moving here really put the Aussie love for cinema into perspective. I have learned so much from him and been inspired to do so much more research. He gave me much of my appreciation for Errol Flynn and what he did to stand up for stunt people and animal safety on set. Thanks Bill. I’ll be setting the DVR for you.

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