Fox Classics

Television Subscription and International
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A month of Oscar® movies on FOX Classics

This February, Foxtel is celebrating the best in cinema with Oscar®-winning movie double features every night from 8.30pm on FOX Classics.

‘A Month of Oscar’ on FOX Classics will see 55 celebrated films which garnered 308 nominations and 118 Academy Award wins, broadcast from February 1 to February 28. The Oscar-winning movie doubles will also include FOX Classics Golden Years of Hollywood features introduced by the legendary Mr Movies, Bill Collins on Saturday nights.

Movie titles featured throughout the month include classics Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe; musical smash West Side Story; Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday; channel premieres The Country Girl starring Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, and The Champion starring Kirk Douglas; along with The Yearling, Sunset Boulevard, and many more exceptional films from the 1930s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Modern masterpieces featured in February include Born of the Fourth of July, The Accused, A River Runs Through It, A Fish Called Wanda, Wall Street, and plus lots more.

“We’re delighted to screen some of cinemas most-loved films from the early 1930s through to the more recent stand outs from the Academy Awards honour roll. The ‘Month of Oscar’ movie doubles on FOX Classics is a celebration of some of the best films ever made starring some of the most talented actors and actresses from the industry. It’s fantastic to have four Saturday evening movie doubles hosted by Bill Collins to provide his enlightening film introductions and insights that enhance the experience of viewing these treasured films from the archives of Hollywood,” said Foxtel Executive Director of Television Brian Walsh.

The 89th Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday February 26, 2017 with this year’s finalist nominations for the Best Picture category to be announced soon.

A MONTH OF OSCAR® 2017 on FOX CLASSICS:

Wed 1st February The Dirty Dozen 8.35pm (1967)
The High and the Mighty 11.05pm (1954)
Thurs 2nd February West Side Story 8.35pm (1961)
Holiday Inn 11.00pm (1942)
Fri 3rd February The Untouchables 8.35pm (1987)
Wall Street 10.35pm (1987)
Sat 4th February Sunset Boulevard 8.30pm (1950) Golden Years Of Hollywood
A Place in the Sun 10.25pm (1951) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Sun 5th February In The Heat of the Night 8.30pm (1967)
The Defiant Ones 10.20pm (1958)

Mon 6th February Marty 8.35pm (1955)
Coal Miner’s Daughter 10.10pm (1980)
Tues 7th February A River Runs Through It 8.35pm (1992) FOX Classics Premiere
The Yearling 10.40pm (1946)
Wed 8th February Julia 8.35pm (1977)
Miracle on 34th Street 10.35pm (1947)
Thurs 9th February Irma La Douce 8.35pm (1963)
Oliver! 11.05pm (1968)
Fri 10th February Raging Bull 8.35pm (1980)
Chinatown 10.40pm (1974)
Sat 11th February Jezebel 8.30pm (1938) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Come Back, Little Sheba 10.20pm (1952) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Sun 12th February Born of the Fourth of July 8.30pm (1989)
High Noon 11.00pm (1952)

Mon 13th February The Producers 8.35pm (1968)
A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum 10.05pm (1966)
Tues 14th February Stalag 17 8.35pm (1953)
Shane 10.35pm (1953)
Wed 15th February Breakfast at Tiffany’s 8.35pm (1961)
Roman Holiday 10.30pm (1953)
Thurs 16th February Midnight Cowboy 8.35pm (1969)
The Accused 10.30pm (1988)
Fri 17th February Some Like It Hot 8.35pm (1959)
Pillow Talk 10.40pm (1959)
Sat 18th February The Naked City 8.30pm (1948) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Champion 10.15pm (1949) Golden Years Of Hollywood FOX Classics Premiere
Sun 19th February The Ten Commandments 8.30pm (1956)

Mon 20th February The Apartment (Premiere) 8.35pm (1960)
A Fish Called Wanda 10.40pm (1988)
Tues 21st February The Guns of Navarone 8.35pm (1961)
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner 11.10pm (1967)
Wed 22nd February The Thomas Crown Affair 8.35pm (1968)
The Man Who Knew Too Much 10.20pm (1956)
Thurs 23rd February The Country Girl 8.35pm (1954) FOX Classics Premiere
To Catch a Thief 10.20pm (1955)
Fri 24th February The War of the Worlds 8.35pm (1953)
Rosemary’s Baby 10.00pm (1968)
Sat 25th February Johnny Eager 8.30pm (1942) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Picnic 10.25pm (1955) Golden Years Of Hollywood
Sun 26th February Hud 8.30pm (1962)
Terms of Endearment 10.25pm (1983)

Mon 27th February Father Goose 8.35pm (1964)
On The Town 10.35pm (1949)
Tues 28th February True Grit 8.35pm (1969)
The Alamo 10.45pm (1960)

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###Spotlight on Alfred Hitchcock

Hosted by Graeme Blundell

Six great movies from the master of suspense from August 6 – 11 on FOX Classics

Every August FOX Classics shines the light on the man who earned himself the title of the original master of suspense.

Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, and died on April 29, 1980. He directed his first films in the 1920s and from the start set his focus on matters of suspense, psychology and surprise twists. He moved from England to America in 1939 to continue his career as a prolific film and television director and producer. Hitchcock was never to win the Academy Award for Best Director, although he was nominated five times and his first Hollywood feature Rebecca was awarded Best Picture in 1940. He received an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Academy Award in 1967. He was awarded the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award in 1979 and made a Knight of the British Empire just months before his death.

With Spotlight on Alfred Hitchcock, FOX Classics showcases some of Hitchcock’s many movies which still have audiences on the edge of their seats.

Graeme Blundell will introduce the films each night. He said “These are classic movies loaded with indelible images and darkly humorous dialogue, all designed to delight, entertain, and shock moviegoers. And they still do.

“The corpulent, droll master of suspense certainly knew how to entertain. In a characteristically incisive remark, Mr Hitchcock once summed up his approach to moviemaking: ‘Some films are slices of life, mine are slices of cake’.”

Hitchcock became known for making cameo appearances in most of his films and he appears (fleetingly) in all of the week’s features.

Sunday August 6
8.35pm EST - Vertigo (1958)
Stars James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes. A San Francisco detective suffering from vertigo investigates the strange activities of an old friend’s wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.

Monday August 7
8.35pm EST - Marnie (1964)
Stars Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Martin Gabel, Diane Baker and Louise Latham. A compulsive liar and thief winds up marrying the very man she attempts to rob.

Tuesday August 8
8.35pm EST - Dial M for Murder (1954)
Stars Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams and Anthony Dawson. An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to murder his wife. When things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.

Wednesday August 9
8.35pm EST - Strangers on a Train (1951)
Stars Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker, Leo G. Carroll and Patricia Hitchcock. A psychotic socialite confronts a pro tennis star with a theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder – a theory that he plans to implement.

Thursday August 10
8.35pm EST - Frenzy (1972)
Stars Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Anna Massey and Billie Whitelaw. A serial murderer is strangling women with a necktie. The London police have a suspect, but he is the wrong man.

Friday August 11
8.35pm EST - The Birds (1963)
Stars Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Suzanne Pleshette, Jessica Tandy and Veronica Cartwright.
A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attach people.

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Graeme Blundell joins *Saturday Night at the Movies

Foxtel has announced that ‘Mr Movies’ Bill Collins has decided to step back from his regular work schedule hosting Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood on FOX CLASSICS on Saturday nights.

Tonight, he officially hands over hosting duties to actor, writer and National television critic for The Australian, Graeme Blundell. Bill will, however, continue to present classic movies for Foxtel’s On Demand service.

For the past 23 years, since Foxtel was launched in 1995, Bill has been FOX CLASSICS’ resident movie critic, presenting films from his favourite era with his popular and long running Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood .

For over 55 years Bill has introduced generations of Australians to the world of movies. His passion for filmmaking, his eye for detail and his knowledge of the work of the great screen talents, combined with his natural charisma and spirited presentations, turned watching a movie presented by Bill into an “event”.

Bill Collins said: “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 paid tribute to the legendary film critic as he takes over as the permanent host of FOX CLASSICS’ weekly Saturday movie slot, presenting Saturday Night at the Movies .

“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,” said Graeme Blundell.

“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.”

After starting his television career talking about film appreciation on the ABC’s Roundabout program in 1963, Bill went on to work as a movie presenter at the Nine, Seven and Ten Networks before signing with Foxtel for its launch in 1995.

Over the years Bill’s dedication to sharing his love of movies has earned him awards and accolades, including the Order of Australia Medal in 1987, the TV WEEK Hall of Fame Logie Award in 2009 and the inaugural ASTRA Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2013.

Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood will continue to be available On Demand, with a dedicated section of Foxtel’s On Demand library boasting a large number of Bill’s personal favourites and the all-time classics from Hollywood’s golden age.

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Bill Collins had Hosted his Golden Years Of Hollywood Years Before Foxtel was Launched, The Saturday Night Staple had aired on Network Ten during the 80’s and into the early 90’s and my Grandparents watched it.

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Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood

  • FOX Classics pays homage to “Mr Movies” Bill Collins

  • FOX Classics every Saturday in June at 8.30pm from June 6

FOX Classics is honoured to dedicate Saturday nights in June to “Mr Movies” Bill Collins in homage of one year since his passing on June 20, 2019. FOX Classics host Graeme Blundell will introduce the Saturday night movie presentations, Bill Collins’ Golden Years of Hollywood , as it returns to FOX Classics in June featuring Bill’s all-time favourite movies and his inimitable hostings of each.

Bill Collins introduced generations of viewers to the world of movies. Bill’s dedication to sharing his love of movies earned him awards and accolades most notably in 1987 with the Order of Australia Medal for services to film and television and in 2009 when he was inducted into the TV WEEK Logie Awards’ Hall of Fame. Bill’s passion for filmmaking, his eye for detail and his knowledge of the work of the great screen talents, added with his natural charisma and spirited presentations, turned watching a movie presented by Bill into an event.

Viewers will be treated to two of Bill Collins’ favourite movies each Saturday evening in June, including The Wizard of Oz and his favourite musical The Band Wagon starring Fred Astaire and his favourite movie of all time, aptly on the eve of his one year passing on June 20, Gone With The Wind , which he credited with sparking his lifelong passion for cinema.

So, sit back, settle in and enjoy as FOX Classics salutes, remembers and celebrates the legend that is Mr Movies Bill Collins.

Saturday June 6 from 8.30pm

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home to Kansas and help her friends as well. Stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger.

The Band Wagon (1953)

A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition. Stars Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse and Oscar Levant.

Saturday June 13 from 8.30pm

All About Eve (1959)

A seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingenue insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star and her circle of theatre friends, Stars Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders and the then-little-known Marilyn Monroe.

The Razor’s Edge (1946)

An adventurous young man goes off to find himself and loses his socialite fiancée in the process. But when he returns 10 years later, she will stop at nothing to get him back, even though she is already married. Stars Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney and John Payne.

Saturday June 20 from 8.30pm

Gone With The Wind (1939)

A manipulative woman and a roguish man conduct a turbulent romance during the American Civil War and Reconstruction periods. Stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh and Thomas Mitchell.

The Voice of The Turtle (1947)

A soldier spends the weekend with an actress after being stood up by her friend. Will he be able to change her cynical attitude towards love? Stars Ronald Regan, Eleanor Parker and Eve Arden.

Saturday June 27 from 8.30pm

Vertigo (1958)

A former police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with a hauntingly beautiful woman. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and stars James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes.

Waterloo Bridge (1940)

During World War I, believing her fiancée to be dead, a young ballerina loses her job and is forced to turn to prostitution. Stars Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor and Lucile Watson.

Only one man on Australian television earned the title “Mr Movies”- a legend, an icon, an authority and an historian, Bill Collins made an invaluable contribution and is a treasured member of the Foxtel family.

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The disclaimer came after HBO Max in the US temporarily withdrew Gone with the Wind from the line-up earlier this month.