Gene Shalit: A Life in Film Criticism

Gene Shalit, known for his distinctive style and playful puns, passed away at the age of 100. His career as a movie critic and arts reporter on the ‘Today’ show spanned over four decades.

Career Highlights

Shalit joined ‘Today’ in 1970, becoming the arts editor in 1973. His segment, ‘Critic’s Corner,’ made him a prominent figure in film criticism. He retired from the show in 2010, marking the end of an era for high-profile critics on major networks.

What resonated above his unusual appearance was his incredible wit, his remarkable intelligence. But he didn’t pound you over the head with it. He amused you. He enlightened and amused whatever subject he was on, wrote Guy Ludwig, Shalit’s producer for over 20 years.

Shalit’s unique style influenced the landscape of film criticism in America, transitioning from print-centric reviews in newspapers and magazines to televised segments.

Early Career

Shalit began as an entertainment columnist for McCall’s, advancing to senior film critic for Look magazine in 1968. His magazine success led NBC to bring him on board, despite initial concerns over his unconventional appearance.

They didn’t know how the public would react to someone who looked so different from people who were typically on TV in 1967.

Notable Reviews

Shalit was known for his memorable quotes and puns in reviews, often providing a middle-ground opinion. He praised films like ‘Defiance’ as vividly dramatizing history, yet found ‘Brokeback Mountain’ to be overpraised, leading to controversy.

He has critiqued films from ‘Patton’ to ‘Shrek Forever After,’ always adding his unique flavor to each review. His interview style was equally entertaining, famously leading actor John Belushi to describe Shalit’s hair as an ant farm on fire.

Personal Life and Legacy

Shalit grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, where he showed an early interest in journalism. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949. Known for his playful personality, Shalit also edited a book celebrating American humor.

Popular culture embraced his persona, with ‘Saturday Night Live’ parodying his style and Shalit making cameo appearances on shows like ‘Sesame Street.’ His influence on film criticism and humor remains significant, survived by his daughter, Willa Shalit.