Auction of 300 film items aims to fund $230,000 Siskel and Ebert statue
Producer Pam Kasper is leading a campaign to erect a bronze monument in Chicago, backed by the late critics' widows and a collection of signed memorabilia.
By Matthew Collins ·
A bronze statue of film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert could be unveiled in Chicago in 2028, provided a targeted fundraising campaign reaches its goal. The project is currently seeking $230,000 to cover the costs of the sculpture. Pam Kasper, a producer developing a documentary about the two men, is leading the effort with the support of the critics' widows.
Kasper and her boyfriend, a collector, have assembled more than 300 items for an upcoming auction. Many of these pieces are signed by actors or feature original artwork from famous films. The auction is designed to raise a large portion of the necessary funds, with the remainder expected to come from corporate and public sponsors.
The collection includes signed posters for movies such as "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." One particularly notable lot is a poster for "The Sound of Music" signed by the entire cast, including Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Kasper stated that the auction should secure a significant share of the budget.
"I thought, these guys never left here," Kasper said regarding the decision to place the statue in Chicago. "They had such a huge impact on film, on criticism, on conversation. And they became national, if not global celebrities. But they always maintained their jobs at their newspapers and stayed in Chicago, raised their families here. And I thought that deserved some recognition."
The auction also includes an experiential item for bidders in Los Angeles. The highest bidder will receive a private tour of the house used in the television series "The Brady Bunch." Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady on the show, will serve as the guide. The winner is permitted to bring three guests to the tour.
Siskel and Ebert built their reputations while writing for rival Chicago newspapers before moving their work to television. They became a primary source for moviegoers seeking straightforward opinions on new releases. Their transition from print to screen made them widely recognizable figures in the entertainment industry.
