Don't Be Fooled by Imitators!

Gene feels intensely uncomfortable
unless he can change it."
A graduate of Yale University, Siskel
joined The Chicago Tribune in 1969,
becoming the paper's film critic seven
months later. He held the position for
19 years and was later named syndi-
cated film columnist, writing reviews,
critical essays, trend pieces and inter-
views.
"I wanted to be a trial lawyer, but I
was introduced to journalism in the
army and immediately wanted to pur-
sue it as a career," Siskel said.
"Interviews with filmmakers and stars
led to my pursuit of the critic's job."
The original Siskel and Ebert movie
review show, "Opening Soon at a
Theater Near You," was initiated on
public television in Chicago. After two
seasons, the program was retitled "Sneak
Previews" and aired on PBS nationwide.
By the fourth season, the show had
become a weekly series, and in 1981,
it moved to commercial television as
"At the Movies." Soon, a coin flip gave
Siskel top billing over Ebert, who
writes for The Chicago Sun-Times.
Siskel, who sees five or six movies a
week, lists his favorites as Citizen
Kane, Dr. Strangelove and Taxi Driver,
although his three favorites change
periodically.
Both critics agree their show's pop-
ularity comes from its conversational
format, presented in the same spirit as
two people who go to a movie, come
out and start talking about what
they've seen.
"The secret of our long-lasting part-
nership and show success is a love of
movies, speaking the same 'newspaper
reporter' language and an inherently
dramatic format," says Siskel, who is
married with three children.
"I think we have fewer distractions
being based in Chicago," he contin-
ues. "New York critics, as good as they
are, often have to shout to be heard
among their peers. L.A.-based critics
may feel the heat of the industry." El

Gene Siskel speaks at the opening
meeting of the Greater Detroit
Chapter of Hadassah Tuesday, Sept
15, at. Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut
Lake Road, West Bloomfield.
Boutiques will be open 10 a.m.-
3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11
a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30
a.m. and the speaker at 1 p.m. $25
speech/$36 speech and lunch/$50
speech, lunch, new membership.
Babysitting available for youngsters
2 and older. To reserve tickets, call
(248) 683-5030.

There Is Only ONE!

our choice of:
your
and Salad
• Soup
Sandwich and Cup of Soup
• Sandwich and Salad
•
for $395

Banquet F acilities Available Su ndays.
Saturday Afternoons, Nights and
Weddings, showers,
itzvahs, Anniversaries
Bar/Bat M special occasion.
or any

Open for Lunch and Dinner 7-Days

4189 Orchard Lake Road • Orchard Lake
Between Lone Pine and Pontiac Trail

248-865-0000
Fax: 248w865-0020

9/4
1998

Detroit Jewish News

87