Cheers to Siskel & Ebert’s 50th Anniversary: ​​’Eve’s Bayou’ Kicks Off Film Series | Chaz’s diary

I am extremely pleased that for the entire month of November, the Chicago Film Office of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago History Museum are collaborating to celebrate the anniversary of the debut of the iconic film review show started by my late husband, Roger Ebert, and his partner Gene Siskel. It’s hard to believe that fifty years ago, producer Thea Flaum ordered Roger and Gene to sit down on the makeshift WTTW set and talk about the movies. The history of film criticism would be changed forever.

Although the show’s producers and titles have changed over the years, from “Coming Soon To a Theater Near You” and “Sneak Previews” on public television to “Siskel & Ebert At the Movies” at Tribune Entertainment, landing in wide release on Disney’s Buena Vista Television, and later known simply as “Siskel & Ebert,” the cinematic duo Roger and Gene have flown easily through every stage of their evolution. The jokes invited us to come together as a community and discover how we were more alike than different. They became beloved national symbols because their passion for cinema was both genuine and contagious. They convinced us that movies were more than entertainment; they allowed us to peek into the lives of people of different races, ages, genders, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and/or religions.

DCASE and the Chicago History Museum will present a series of films and events beginning Wednesday, November 5 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. Most films and talks will begin at 7 p.m., except Saturday, November 22 when celebrations begin at 2 p.m.

To start the series, I chose to present the film “Eve’s Bayou” by Kasi Lemmons, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Jurnee Smollett, Lynn Whitfield and Meagan Good. I remember not only Roger’s enthusiasm, but also the excitement of the film industry when this film debuted in 1997. Before that, Kasi Lemmons was known primarily as an actor (“Silence of the Lambs”, “Candyman”). So her directorial debut took Hollywood by storm. Today, women directors are more easily accepted, but this was not always the case.

I am very grateful that Siskel & Ebert’s 50th anniversary is being celebrated in Chicago because not only did Roger and Gene begin their newspaper careers here (Roger at Chicago Sun-Times and Gene at Chicago Tribune), but they also insisted that their television show be filmed here. Although both were educated and knowledgeable about the world, at heart they were guys from the Midwest who wanted a show that wouldn’t displease their audience. And I’m convinced that deep down, Roger and Gene believed that maybe some of the lessons learned from the films could help us make the world a better place. Let’s keep this hope alive in cinema.

Here is the schedule of events, all at the Claudia Cassidy Theater at 78 E. Washington St.:

Eve’s Bayou: Wednesday November 5, 7 p.m.
Breaking Away: Wednesday November 12, 7 p.m.
Drugstore Cowboy: Wednesday November 19, 7 p.m.
Siskel & Ebert at 50: a live performance: Saturday, November 22, 2 p.m.
Lone Star: Tuesday November 25, 7 p.m.

To RSVP for events, please go here.

And read Roger’s review of “Eve’s Bayou” here.