Siskel, Eugene Kal

▪ 2000

“Gene” 

      American journalist (b. Jan. 26, 1946, Chicago, Ill.—d. Feb. 20, 1999, Evanston, Ill.), was a respected film critic for the Chicago Tribune who became one of the most influential reviewers in the U.S. when he teamed up with rival Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert on a weekly television program that went on to national syndication. For over two decades studios and stars nervously awaited their opinions, and many obscure films they recommended gained an audience. Their signature “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” judgments guided millions of moviegoers in their entertainment selections and often had the power to determine the fate of a film, and motion picture ads often featured their endorsements. Siskel graduated from Yale University in 1967 with a degree in philosophy and was planning to become a lawyer, but, following work on a political campaign, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and wrote press releases. His interest in journalism ignited, he took a job at the Tribune in January 1969, and by the following September he had become movie critic. In 1974 Siskel also began delivering reviews and features on local CBS news broadcasts, and he later added CBS This Morning to his beat. The teaming of Siskel and Ebert began in 1975 with Opening Soon at a Theater Near You on the local public television station. Their feisty, spirited, and sometimes argumentative encounters attracted viewers, and the program—by then titled Sneak Previews—was syndicated on PBS in 1978. In 1982 the show moved to commercial syndication and became known as At the Movies, and in 1986 the title became Siskel & Ebert at the Movies. It was later shortened to just Siskel & Ebert. Siskel continued reviewing for the Tribune but eventually became movie columnist, writing capsule reviews under the title “Siskel's Flicks Picks.” In mid-1998 Siskel underwent surgery for a brain tumour, but he quickly returned to the television show. Shortly before his death, however, he announced that he was taking a leave for further recuperation and rehabilitation.

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