Dr. Daniel's Movie Emergency - Gene Siskel Tribute

A Tribute to Gene Siskel

Thumbs Up to a True Movie Fan

(Feb. 23, 1999) It's not often that the public gets to be on a first name basis with a movie critic. Usually, critics are Gene Siskel ... Photo Copyright Chicago Tribune

Gene Siskel ... Photo Copyright Chicago Tribune

the people most folks "love to hate." Their opinions were relegated to the newspaper, and, they were usually over the average reader's head, full of film theory and references to movies that haven't seen the light of a projector in forty years. Much like a theatre or literary critic, it was often thought that movie critics were failed screenwriters or directors that decided to pick everyone else's work to shreds to get even. But Gene Siskel was never like that to me.
      Siskel, who died Saturday of complications from a brain tumor, was a true film fanatic, like so many of us. Oh, sure, he was opinionated, and had his crusades sometimes, but, he was always "Gene" or to many ... "The Thin One" ... or "The Bald One." He brought movie reviews to the masses. He, along with Roger Ebert, became the picture you got in your head when people discussed movie reviews. Their TV show became one of PBS's most popular ventures, and, of course, their phrases "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" are now a part of American culture. But there was always a fire about Gene.
      He was a movie fan. You could see it in his eyes when he spoke about a film. Whether he liked it or hated it, he could tell you exactly why. More often than not, he could point out what could have been done to correct a wrong, and he could praise exact moments of perfection. And, best of all, he could offer his opinion of a film in such a way that it would build your interest not only in the film in question, but in the films he compared and contrasted with it. He would get so charged up about a film he could hardly sit in his seat as he spoke. But he never ranted or raved; rather, he stayed cool and let the passion take over in his voice.
      Not a lot of people may know this, but Gene was such a fan of his subject that he collected memorabilia from his favorites. Until recently, he was the proud owner of the white suit that made John Travolta a legend in Saturday Night Fever. You don't make a purchase like that unless you're a fanatic about what you love.
      It has been a few days since the news of his passing went out, and, honestly, I feel like I've lost a family member. For so long now, Gene had been a voice in my head, telling me what he thought about a film, spurring my interest in others, it never occurred to me that the voice would not be there. I'll never believe that the "rivalry" between him and Roger was anything but fun, but I always loved it when they disagreed over an opinion of a movie. Not because of the difference of opinion, but because that was when the two were at their best. These moments were when the two would have a limited time to make their argument and prove their point, like some presidential debate. That's when the passion came out. Film references were drawn like guns, and these two men would battle it out in their own arena, a theatre balcony. I love a heated discussion about film, folks, and I always welcome another opinion. But this was like watching the masters at work.
      I wish I had gotten the opportunity to meet Gene, because I know it would've been a fascinating conversation. And, yes, I would have welcomed the opportunity to debate him on some obscure film that one of us liked and the other hated. He would have probably ripped me to shreds and left me whimpering like a puppy, but, Lord, that would be like throwing my best pitch to Mark McGwire and having him blast it into the upper deck of Turner Field in Atlanta. He may have won that fight, but, if I'm gonna get beaten, I'd rather it be by the best than by a scrub player.
      It would be very easy to say that Gene Siskel will be missed, both by the die-hard film fanatics like me, and the fans that trusted his opinions. Too easy, as a matter of fact. Anyone who dares offer an opinion on somebody else's work knows he might be hated as much as he is respected, that comes with the territory. I know that all too well. But, I respected Gene's opinions whether I agreed with him or not. That does not happen often in life, especially with an ornery cuss like me.
      Gene, we will miss you. Your opinions, your passion, and your humor were rarities. And, as much as I hate to say it, it will never be the same without you in Filmland. They may find someone to fill in for you, but you will never be replaced. You will always have my respect and admiration for what you did to make more people think about movies, and for the fans you brought to the medium of film.
      A big thumbs up from all us film fanatics, Gene. We'll miss you. Keep the balcony open for us....

Get "reel" soon,

Doc

See an archive of Siskel's reviews at The Chicago Tribune site
or visit the site for TV's Siskel & Ebert.

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