Chicago’s film‑loving community is rallying behind a new public tribute to legendary critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Producer Pam Kasper, who is also developing a documentary about the duo, announced a fundraising campaign that aims to raise $230,000 for a bronze statue that will stand in the city where the critics lived, worked, and raised their families.
Local roots, national fame
Both Siskel and Ebert began their careers at rival Chicago newspapers before becoming the nation’s most recognizable movie‑reviewing partners on television. Their “Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down” format turned film criticism into a nightly ritual for millions of viewers. Despite their global celebrity, they never left Chicago, maintaining their newspaper jobs and raising their families in the Windy City.
“These guys never left here,” Kasper said. “They had such a huge impact on film, on criticism, on conversation. They became national, if not global, celebrities, but they always stayed in Chicago and raised their families here. That deserves recognition.”
A charity auction of memorabilia
To fund the statue, Kasper and her collector boyfriend have assembled more than 300 items for an auction. The collection includes signed posters from classics such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a Spider‑Man: Brand New Day poster. A particularly notable piece is a signed Sound of Music poster featuring the entire cast, including Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
Fans on the West Coast will also have a chance to bid on a unique experience: a private tour of the house used in The Brady Bunch, led by Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady. The highest bidder and three guests would receive the exclusive walkthrough.
Timeline and next steps
Kasper estimates that the auction will cover a “big chunk” of the $230,000 target. Additional funding is expected from corporate and public sponsors. If all contributions materialize, the statue could be unveiled in Chicago as early as 2028.
The project has received the enthusiastic backing of the critics’ widows, who see the monument as a fitting tribute to the couple’s lasting influence on both the city and the broader world of cinema.
Why the statue matters to Chicago
Beyond honoring two beloved cultural figures, the statue would add a new landmark to Chicago’s public art landscape, drawing tourists and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub for media and the arts. Local businesses anticipate increased foot traffic in the area surrounding the future installation, and community groups hope the project will inspire further civic pride.
As the auction approaches, organizers encourage Chicago residents and film fans nationwide to participate, whether by bidding on memorabilia, donating directly, or spreading the word. The effort exemplifies how a community can come together to celebrate its heritage while supporting the arts.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
