Latest news with #TheMovieShow
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Gentle and generous' film critic David Stratton dies
Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks paid tribute to the prodigious film critic. "Incredible insight, a love of the craft of movie making and a respect for his audience, David was a credit to our industry," he said. "He made an enormous contribution to the ABC that we will remember fondly. We are thinking of his family and friends at this time" Stratton's family issued a special request to movie goers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks paid tribute to the prodigious film critic. "Incredible insight, a love of the craft of movie making and a respect for his audience, David was a credit to our industry," he said. "He made an enormous contribution to the ABC that we will remember fondly. We are thinking of his family and friends at this time" Stratton's family issued a special request to movie goers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks paid tribute to the prodigious film critic. "Incredible insight, a love of the craft of movie making and a respect for his audience, David was a credit to our industry," he said. "He made an enormous contribution to the ABC that we will remember fondly. We are thinking of his family and friends at this time" Stratton's family issued a special request to movie goers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks paid tribute to the prodigious film critic. "Incredible insight, a love of the craft of movie making and a respect for his audience, David was a credit to our industry," he said. "He made an enormous contribution to the ABC that we will remember fondly. We are thinking of his family and friends at this time" Stratton's family issued a special request to movie goers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon.
Courier-Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Legendary Australian film critic David Stratton dead at 85
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Legendary film critic David Stratton has died at the age of 85. Stratton was best known to film fans for appearing alongside Margaret Pomeranz for decades on numerous movie review shows. The writer's family announced his death on Thursday afternoon, saying he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. 'David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives,' said his family in a statement. Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton. Picture: Getty. The pair rose to fame on The Movie Show together. Picture: Supplied. 'He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grand father and admired friend. 'David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime.' Stratton's family has asked for privacy in the wake of his death, but they shared a heartwarming request with his fans as a way of paying tribute to the beloved critic. Something To Talk About At the movies with David Stratton Before he retired last year, David Stratton spent nearly six decades reviewing movies. And millions of Australians came to know and love him thanks to an on-air partnership with fellow critic Margaret Pomeranz, which turned them into household names and one of the most beloved double acts in the country. On the show today, David joins Sarrah from his home – where he is still watching one, and often two, movies each day – to discuss his latest project, a book that chronicles three pivotal decades in Australian film; his enduring friendship with Margaret; his thoughts on some of his most infamous reviews – including an initially lukewarm reaction to comedy classic The Castle, and another that landed him in hot water with Julie Andrews - and the one film he thought was so awful he walked out of the cinema. David Stratton's new book Australia At The Movies is available to purchase here. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Editor-In-Chief Sarrah Le Marquand. Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or pick up a copy inside The Sunday Telegraph (NSW), Sunday Herald Sun (VIC), The Sunday Mail (QLD) and Sunday Mail (SA) Something To Talk About At the movies with David Stratton 00:00 41:07 '[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time — Singin' In the Rain.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among those who have paid tribute to Stratton. 'With dry humour and sharp insight, David Stratton shared his love of film with our country,' he wrote on Twitter. 'All of us who tuned in to 'At the Movies' respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on. May he rest in peace.' Stratton, along with Pomeranz, stepped down from At the Movies in 2014, an end of an era for the beloved duo after nearly three decades. The film critic retired in 2023 due to his declining health. Picture: Supplied. He retired from work in December 2023 after suffering health problems, having spent a month in hospital with a spinal fracture. 'It's been a very good innings,'' he told The Australian at the time. The beloved media personality was celebrated for his insightful critiques and deep understanding of film history, as well as his contribution to promoting Australian cinema both nationally and internationally. He was a well respected figure within the industry, serving as a jury member at various international film festivals throughout his career. The pair's on-screen chemistry became a huge part of their success. Picture: Supplied. Stratton's career in Australia began in 1963 when he first became involved in the local film industry. In 1966 he became the director of the Sydney Film Festival, and the role became the catalyst for his decision to remain Down Under for the rest of his life. Later on in his career he shared that his decision to ditch England for Australia left him with feelings of 'guilty' as it meant he was abandoning his family's tradition of working at their grocery store which had been open since the 1820s. Bizarrely, in 2014, Stratton hit headlines when it was revealed that he had been under surveillance by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation while he was director of the Sydney film festival, due to a visit he made to the USSR in the late 1960s. He received numerous awards for his contributions to film criticism and the film industry, including the Order of Australia for his services to the film industry as a critic and reviewer. Originally published as Legendary Australian film critic David Stratton dead at 85
AU Financial Review
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- AU Financial Review
Vale David Stratton, champion of Australian film
David Stratton, who with The Movie Show co-presenter Margaret Pomeranz became synonymous with cinema to generations of Australians, has died aged 85. Stratton's family announced on Thursday he had died peacefully at a hospital near his home in Sydney's Blue Mountains.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Renowned film critic and presenter David Stratton dies
Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Watch your favourite movie': film critic David Stratton dies aged 85
Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies.
