Roger Ebert Promises Return To Movie Reviewing This Month

CHICAGO — Roger Ebert will resume writing reviews later this month, but will not rejoin his syndicated TV show because he's still unable to speak.

In a letter published in Tuesday's Chicago Sun-Times, the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and co-host of TV's "Ebert & Roeper" said surgery in January ended in complications, and his ability to speak was not restored. He said the return of speech would require another surgery.

"But I still have all my other abilities, including the love of viewing movies and writing about them," Ebert said.

Ebert, 65, said he's looking forward to his annual film festival starting April 23.

"I will resume writing movie reviews shortly thereafter," he said.

Ebert, famous for his "thumbs-up" or "thumbs-down" critiques, had surgery in 2006 to remove a cancerous growth on his salivary gland. He also had emergency surgery that year after a blood vessel burst near the site of the operation.

He had undergone cancer surgery three times before the 2006 operation _ once in 2002 to remove a malignant tumor on his thyroid gland and twice on his salivary gland the following year.

Ebert said he remains cancer-free, and is not ready to think about more surgery.

"I should be content with the abundance I have," he said.

The 10th annual Ebertfest at the University of Illinois runs April 23-27. Ebert chose 13 films for the festival.

Comments

[conscioushope]

To Roger:

You are and always will be a "thumbs-up" guy!

Miss you!

[lolaannie]

I always enjoyed Gene & Roger. God Bless.

[AuntieEm]

Emncaity, you said it! I've been watching At the Movies since its inception and really miss Roger's spirited arguments with Gene. The show isn't the same without them, but as long as Roger is writing reviews we can read on his website, I can cope. Roger, you are in my entire family's thoughts and we are rooting for your full recovery!!

[JuniorBug]

Come back soon, Roger!

[emncaity]

Roger, if you're reading this, come back soon. Those who don't already know you're one of the great writers in the history of film criticism will know it eventually, but it'd be nice to you have you back on camera again too.

[Grulg]

I like his reviews just fine. The show is okay w/out him, seems they have found a couple three good subs there for him-AO Scott, the other guy from Chicago w/ the beard and glasses, and the bald guy from that site(sorry I can't remember their names, just their faces. Sue me)-they've done the job.

But we'll all be happy to see Ebert's reviews back in action.

[colonelklink]

Even the possibility of having Roger back in action warms the heart. He (and Mr. Siskel, and the program they originated) are a huge part of my personal cinema history. Especially in the early 80's!
Thanks for "Diner," " Breaking Away," "The Great Santini" and "My Dinner With Andre." I'm not sure I would have had the desire (or even the chance) to see them without the original "At The Movies." Long may you run, Roger!