By Matt Singer
Published by Penguin Random House, 2023
Ah yes, the memories of spending so much time glued to that portable 13 inch black and white TV perched on a folding chair in my dorm room watching and listening intently as film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert discussed, debated, and dissected the latest movie releases. Of course, by then I had watched hundreds of movies and fully subscribed to the magic of cinema. However, we all knew there was something different with this weekly PBS show featuring these two men who were so opinionated, yet so knowledgeable about film. As a bonus, we were never sure if they were friends or not… this despite their weekly lessons on how we should discuss movies with our own friends.
This background and the following years until Gene Siskel’s death in 1999 are the reason Matt Singer’s new book was a must read for me. Nostalgia can be a comforting thing, and Singer’s work perfectly captures the history and memories of what made the show so special. Singer is a passionate film critic, and that passion shines through in his admiration and respect for the two men who inspired folks like him (and me) to better understand the art form and ultimately write about our own feelings and observations driven by the movies we watch.
Structurally, the book outlines the chronological order of the Siskel and Ebert partnership, while specific examples, quotes, or other input is frequently used to reinforce the progression. The awkward beginnings that led to the 1975 pilot are detailed, as are behind-the-scenes challenges such as contract disputes, rehearsals, lunch menus, seating positions, number of words spoken, seats on talk shows, and the order of the names. Yes, these two men who argued about movies also argued about most everything associated with the show. Singer makes the point that the two men were direct competitors in the Chicago newspaper world and were constantly looking for ways to ‘win’ or one up the other. What also becomes crystal clear as we read the book is that both men cared very much for the show and the integrity of their work.
Pitting rivals against each other in such a debate format was a new thing at the time, although as author Singer points out, it has become quite common in TV news, sports, politics, and entertainment … most of these owing a debt to Siskel and Ebert. Singer walks us through the evolution of the show and its many producers, titles, and distributors. From “Sneak Previews” to “At the Movies” to “Siskel & Ebert” (amongst others), and from PBS to the Disney Corporation, the show itself remained true to the two stars, regardless of what was happening off screen. Gene and Roger never wavered from their commitment to honesty with the viewers.
Their show ran in one form or another, and on one channel or hundreds, from 1975 to 1999. The book details how their chemistry changed (and how it didn’t) over the many years. While the memories come racing back through some of the stories, the real gems here are the behind-the-scenes tales of how these two men perfected the presentation, while earning the respect of the rival/partner seated across the aisle.
The first ten chapters make for fascinating and entertaining reading, but just as occurred in real life, the book shifts suddenly. Siskel’s passing meant the show lost its spark. Ebert remained a stellar film critic, of course, but the relentless pursuit of a new partner or format was as painful to read about as it was to experience at the time. By this time, other film critic duos had been given a shot at replicating the success, yet none created the magic of Siskel & Ebert – and that included Ebert and anyone else who joined him in the balcony. Why none of these other attempts clicked is understandable when Singer provides perspective: Siskel & Ebert were a team for as many years as Abbott & Costello. These final two chapters chronicle Ebert’s own health struggles, as well as his excellent memoir and subsequent documentary, both entitled “Life Itself”.
Should anyone doubt the unique accomplishments of the show, consider that the Siskel & Ebert audience was composed of not just cinephiles and movie lovers, but also those who had little interest in movies and tuned in solely for the entertainment value of watching two articulate and knowledgeable experts go at each other verbally. Most were either Team Gene or Team Roger. As for me, I found myself more often in agreement with Siskel on movies, while probably learning more from Ebert. These two men, along with Louis Black (co-founder of both “The Austin Chronicle” and the SXSW festival), taught me how to watch movies, how to think about what is on screen, while inspiring me to put my own observations in writing. Matt Singer’s book will be a cruise through nostalgia for many, yet the structure will make it just as easy for those who are just learning about the origin of those almighty thumbs.
Available October 24, 2023
Review by David Ferguson
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 