ROLL THE END CREDITS.
This is a real tear-jerker.
The ABC just announced that, after 28 glorious years together, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton will record the final episode of ‘At the Movies’ on December 9.
The show came to the ABC in 2004 after 18 years at SBS.
Margaret and David have had an onscreen relationship for longer than most marriages these days. They are Australia’s authority on all things film — and people of a certain age will simply not know what movies they should see now.
DID YOU THINK OF THAT, ABC? All the lost people, wandering around cinemas aimlessly because they don’t know what to see anymore.
Here’s just a teeny tiny taste of their inimitable on-screen chemistry:
And, if you’re in the mood to get sentimental, here’s what they had to say about one another after all these goddamn years.
DAVID:
“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.”
MARGARET:
“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.”
The ABC has confirmed that with the departure of Margaret and David, the show will not return in 2015.
There was this beautiful time, when Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush reviewed the show to celebrate 25 years….
It’s the end of an era. A beautiful, hilarious, grumpy era of movie reviewing.
Goodbye, Margaret and David, and thanks for all the memories.