Just as I was getting ready to sit down and write, news came that Roger Ebert had passed away. I felt a sadness at his passing, and the ending of an era of good writing and civil discourse.
Roger Ebert was a writer, a reporter, and a film critic; the title you may know him most prominently for. Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel paired up in the 1970’s reviewing movies on television. Siskel and Ebert were quite a pair; movie critics from rival newspaper. Siskel wrote for the Chicago Tribune, while Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun Times. The two would sit in a studio balcony and critique movies, often getting into heated discussions about a movie and whether it deserved a thumbs up or thumbs down.
It was great entertainment, in part because of their lively exchanges, mostly because they discussed movies intelligently. Sets and scripts and writers and a movie’s value were all brought into play and, for a generation or two, they taught us to look for quality in films, not just fluff and box office smashes.
Roger Ebert won the Pulitzer Prize for movie critics in 1975. It was an unheard of honor then for a movie critic. He was among the first, if not the first, movie critic to draw attention to independent films. This was long before Sundance and others and his thumbs up helped propel the careers of many in the business. He was intelligent, fair, principled, witty, and loved the cinema. He also loved to read – and to write.
Roger Ebert continued the show after Gene Siskel passed away. Their rivalry was also a friendship, much, it would seem, like brothers in fierce competition to be first.
Over the past dozen or so years, Roger Ebert battled cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands. While he endured treatment, enjoyed remissions, and continued to work, cancer eventually led to the removal of his jaw and the collapse of his vocal chords. Instead of hiding, Ebert soldiered on, continuing to write, using technology, and eventually speaking mechanically. His face disfigured, his voice silenced, unable to eat, he penned some of his best work, tweeted and blogged, tackling many subjects, including movies.
I wrote about Roger Ebert, linking to a post I found particularly touching, early on in my blogging life, which can be found here. I read Ebert’s post again this evening, then read a few more, glad for he and his words, which could really never be stilled, and all that they taught us.
Photo of Roger Ebert and more information can be found here.
Very sad to lose such a voice. When we lost it the first time, and now. Thank you for writing this post to commemorate him.
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I felt I needed to say something, Andra, feeling so sad when I learned that he had passed away. There are several generation of movie-goers, and as many of movie-makers, that have learned and grown and such by his “voice”.
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What a touching tribute to an intelligent and courageous man, Penny. I didn’t know of him, but now I have had a full introduction and I can see why you appreciate him so much.
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It was his intelligent approach to movies that first captured our attention, Juliet, then his courage as he continued to find a voice throughout his cancer battle. He really was a remarkable individual and will be missed by many throughout the US.
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It is a tragic loss. Even when he was critical, it was intelligent and well thought out. It is amazing what he was able to do even though he was enduring so much. He was an example to us all.
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He really was an example, Janet. He was brave and wore his illness in a courageous manner. Others of his stature would have just gone behind closed doors. Instead, he changed how he “spoke”, used technology, and carried on. You’re right to say that even in his criticism, he was intelligent and well thought out – though it was often fun to watch Siskel and Ebert when they disagreed, wasn’t it? It was rather like watching brothers.
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What a good man and film critic. Yes, he will be missed. Thank you for this lovely tribute.
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He was that, indeed, Teresa. He brought film criticism to an intelligent level and I must admit to having seen some movies I might not otherwise have seen because of his championing independent films.
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I was in the car late last evening driving home from babysitting and heard the news that Roger Ebert had passed, and I felt sad. You’ve really given me more information about his life than I’d previously known. I certainly didn’t know about the Pulitzer Prize! I always enjoyed him as a critic, mostly familiar with his television presence, but I really admired him in subsequent years as he continued to work despite his Cancer surgeries and amazing physical reconstructions. I also remember seeing something about the technology he used to have his voice restored, and learned a lot about his wonderfully supportive, and I think brave, wife! This is a lovely tribute to a very talented man, Penny.
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You really encapsulate Roger Ebert here, Debra. There were many layers to Ebert, who came from Urbana, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois, then to Chicago and came to exemplify much of what Chicago is – in all the good ways. I believe he was the first to win the Pulitzer as a film critic and I don’t think anyone has been awarded in that category since. It was amazing when technology was able to allow him to speak, wasn’t it? When I think of all the hope that must have given to so many who have lost their voices!
His wife, Chaz, was, it seems, truly his partner in every way possible. Tributes have been aired here all weekend, and she is highly regarded. The funeral will be tomorrow. I’m sure it will be aired locally, for Chicago, as well as the nation, truly mourns this. Thank you, Debra.
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Dear Penny, I’m so grateful that you wrote this eulogy for Robert Ebert. I followed his and Gene Siskel’s program faithfully. For many years, I sat “in the balcony” with them. I’m grateful also that you gave us the link to your 2010 posting and that I could then go to his column on not being able to eat. This one line from that column is so helpful: “And from that time I began to replace what I had lost with what I remembered.” That line is a philosophy of living. And the way he ended his column by telling us that we’d just had dinner together because he’d been able to share his thoughts with us. That, in itself, is places everything in perspective. Peace.
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I sat “in the balcony” along with you, Dee. That was often as much fun as going to the movies, wasn’t it? Isn’t that an amazing line? It is a philosophy of living. You are so right. I’m so pleased that you took the time to read his column. It is said, and I agree, that his writing became even better, richer, as he battled his illness. I would not be surprised if one more book by Roger Ebert is printed.
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Oh, Penny, this was so well-written. Thank you. I feel like I’ve lost a friend.
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Me, too, Nan. A sadness fell over me when I heard, and I felt I needed to share it with all of you. Thank you.
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I will remember him for his intelligent critiques that were always spot-on. He was an example of grace under pressure who never seemed to feel sorry for himself. A true gentleman. Your remarks made me feel like I knew him.
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I think of Roger Ebert as a Chicagoan, Marilyn. It is through your and others comments that I realize how much of an impact he had throughout the US. His life was well lived. I agree; his critiques were spot-on and there were many movies I might not have seen had he not reviewed them.
That is so nice of you to say, Marilyn. Thank you.
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I always feel so sad when these people – whom we do not know personally, yet form such important backdrops to our lives – are no longer there. They leave a space which can’t be filled by anyone else. I did not know Ebert well but I think I’ll go and do a little research after this post. Thanks.
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He was pretty remarkable, Kate. You might enjoy going to the link to his column and wander around his blog a bit. He wrote about many things, besides movies, and he had a wit about him that I think you would appreciate. How well you put this; such people do form backdrops to our lives. We only truly realize it when they pass on. You are welcome, Kate.
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It was so sad to hear about Roger Ebert’s passing too. Watching Siskel and Ebert was one of my favorite things to do years ago and, more recently, reading his political commentary showed a side of him I had not been aware of back then. Anton served him coffee at Cafe Royale at U of I in Champaign when Ebert was there attending his alma mater for his film festival. I think they shook hands and talked about Anton’s desire to write screen plays, a wonderful memory for Anton! This was a lovely tribute to him Penny.
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Many have said that his writing grew stronger over these years. I tend to agree. He did have strong political and social views, didn’t he? I am so touched with this memory for Anton. What a thrill. Ebert was most certainly a Chicagoan, but, he was also true to his midwestern, Urbana roots and his alma mater. He was a good guy! I just saw a few bits of the funeral today. It was quite moving. Thank you, Janet. I need to get one of his books to read sometime soon.
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Thank you for so eloquently writing about Roger E. Like you, I totally respected the movie critic and the man. I admired him for his passion and honesty in his work. I saved all the tributes in the papers and maybe when my family cleans out my stuff after I am gone they will read about a famous Illinoian, who loved his Midwest and did not feel it necessary to go to New York or Hollywood to do his work.
On Sunday, April 7. 2013, the Sun Times resurrect an article that the one and only Mike Royko wrote about Roger Ebert who was 26 years old at the time. Old Master Royko even back then recognized that the young man and possibly playright had talent. Quite a compliment!!
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You are very welcome, Marilyn. He was the embodiment of the Midwest – and the heart of Chicago, wasn’t he? If you come back to read this, look up at bloggingfromthebog’s comment above (that’s our Janet from Elijah’s) and her son’s encounter with Roger Ebert when he was at the U of I. It will touch your heart.
I will have to look up that Royko article, Marilyn. A compliment from Royko was like hitting gold. Wow. I really felt sad when I heard of Roger Ebert’s passing; it helped to write a few words.
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