The crude pilot that aired 50 years ago this month on WTTW-Channel 11, starring two ill-at-ease reviewers talking about the movies, gave little hint that it would launch a deep friendship, and for a time, establish Chicago as the world’s epicenter of film criticism.

But with some coaching, Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel managed to transform their off-screen rivalry into mutual respect and a tense but crackling chemistry that endured for decades.

Starting Wednesday, the Chicago Cultural Center is marking the milestone with a series of free events honoring the show best known as “Siskel & Ebert.” Appropriately enough, most are screenings of films championed by the duo, featuring post-show discussions with guest speakers.

The films are:

“Eve’s Bayou,” 7 p.m. Wednesday Chaz Ebert, who was Rog

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