Kasper raises $230,000 target for Siskel and Ebert Chicago statue
Over 300 signed items, including movie posters and a tour of the Brady Bunch house, will be auctioned to fund the tribute.
By Martin Reynolds ·
Film criticism in Chicago is being honored through a new fundraising initiative for a bronze statue dedicated to Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. The project seeks to recognize the duo's lasting influence on the industry and their deep roots in the city where they built their careers.
Pam Kasper, a producer developing a documentary about the two critics, is leading the effort with the support of Siskel and Ebert’s widows. Kasper noted that the pair never left the city, maintaining their newspaper jobs and raising their families in Chicago despite becoming national celebrities. She stated that their commitment to the city deserved public recognition.
The campaign aims to collect $230,000 to complete the statue. To reach this goal, Kasper and her boyfriend have gathered more than 300 items for an upcoming auction. Many of the pieces are signed memorabilia intended to appeal to collectors and fans of the critics.
Kasper expressed confidence that the auction would cover a large portion of the required funding. She said, “$230,000. And I think that this auction is going to take care of a big chunk of that.” The remaining costs are expected to be covered by corporate and public sponsors.
The auction inventory includes signed posters for films such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. A poster from The Sound of Music, signed by the entire cast including Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, is also available for bidding. These items serve as tangible connections to the movies the critics reviewed over their long careers.
For bidders in Los Angeles, the auction includes a unique opportunity to tour the house used in The Brady Bunch. Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady on the show, will guide the high bidder and three guests through the location. This offering extends the reach of the fundraiser beyond traditional film memorabilia.
If the auction proceeds and sponsor funds are successfully raised, the statue is scheduled for an unveiling in Chicago in 2028. The project represents a physical marker for a partnership that defined movie reviews for generations of audiences.
