One of the longest and most enduring partnerships on Australian television, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, is ending in December.
The duo will record the final episode of At the Movies on December 9, bringing down the curtain on a formidable 28-year on-screen partnership.
Perhaps recognising they are irreplaceable, the ABC is scrapping At the Movies in 2015.
The ABC hired Pomeranz and Stratton (Strat to his friends, a nod to his byline as a Variety film reviewer) in 2004 after they felt unloved and unwanted at SBS, where they had hosted The Movie Show for 18 years. The then SBS MD Shaun Brown appeared not to realise they were a highly regarded SBS institution.
“After 28 years reviewing films on television with Margaret, 10 of them at the ABC, I feel it’s time to go," Stratton said. "We’ve had a wonderful time, thanks to very supportive and encouraging audiences, throughout that period. And we’ve worked with wonderful teams, both at SBS and at the ABC, people who discovered movies alongside us, helped and assisted us, and in the process became valued friends. We couldn’t have done it without them.
“Most of all, working with Margaret, whose enthusiasm, commitment and passion has been amazing (and only occasionally irritating) has been a joy for over a quarter of a century. But, since I turned 75 last week, I look forward to less pressure and more opportunities to enjoy the movies I love, in the years ahead.”
Stratton told IF he will still review films for The Australian and continue as a lecturer in film history at Sydney University, a role he has had for 25 years. "We are half-way through a 10-year course," he says.
He is not surprised the ABC has decided to shelve At the Movies next year, reasoning, "I think it would be hard for anyone to take over as Margaret and I are so identified with the show." His hunch is the ABC will bring back a film review show, probably in a different format, in 2016.
The finale will be an hour-long, a combination of the usual summer preview and a nostalgic look at their long partnership.
Margaret said, “As David says, it’s time to go from the small screen after a great innings, thanks to all our viewers and the fabulous teams we’ve worked with over the years. And thank you to the ABC and SBS. We’ve been lucky to work for two great public broadcasters, and long may they prosper.
“My gratitude goes to David who gave me credibility just by being prepared to sit by me and discuss film when I am just a film enthusiast, not the great walking encyclopedia of film that he is. He’s a grand person, a most generous, decent man, even if a little stubborn at times.
“We’ve seen Australian films continue to mature over nearly three decades on air and I look forward to a continued involvement in this wonderful industry of ours which explores and reflects our culture and our peccadilloes. It’s been such a privilege to have been on the sidelines, witnessing the talent that this country produces in all areas of film production.
“I’m very sad to have to call an end to our show, it started out as a very fragile thing and only survived because there are enough lovers of film in this country to support a specific program about cinema. Thank you all.”
ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott: “The fact that everybody knows them as Margaret and David demonstrates how much they are loved by the Australian public. Their passionate and enthusiastic championing of the cinema art form, their articulate and always entertaining reviews and their personal rapport on stage (not to mention those earrings) have defined them. Their contribution to the ABC and to the wider arts community has been enormous. We are so proud to have worked with them for over a decade at the ABC and we will miss them. I give them five stars.”