Pam Kasper Seeks Bronze Tribute to Siskel and Ebert via Auction

A bronze statue of film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert will not go up in Chicago until the project clears a $230,000 funding hurdle. Pam Kasper, a producer currently developing a documentary about the pair, is leading the campaign to secure that money. She is working with the widows of both men to ensure the tribute honors their legacy.

Kasper started the effort after observing that the critics maintained deep roots in the city where they worked. She noted that they never left the area, continuing their jobs at rival newspapers while raising their families. "And I thought, these guys never left here," Kasper said. "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."

To generate the necessary capital, Kasper and her partner have collected more than 300 items for an upcoming auction. The collection features signed memorabilia from various films and television shows. Kasper believes the sale will cover a large portion of the required sum. "$230,000," she said when asked about the goal. "And I think that this auction is going to take care of a big chunk of that."

The inventory includes signed posters from recent and classic titles. Items available for bidding feature signatures from the casts of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." One poster from "The Sound of Music" carries the autographs of the entire cast, including Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.

The auction also offers a unique experience for bidders in Los Angeles. The high bidder will receive a private tour of the house used in "The Brady Bunch" television series. Christopher Knight, who played Peter Brady on the show, will lead the tour. The winner is permitted to bring three guests along for the visit.

Kasper stated that the statue could be unveiled in Chicago in 2028 if the auction proceeds and corporate or public sponsorship funds arrive on schedule. The project aims to place the monument in a public location to mark the critics' influence on national film discourse.