SHORT TAKES : Studio Lifts Siskel-Ebert Ban

CHICAGO — Film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert and their famous thumbs again are welcome at previews of 20th Century Fox films.

The studio Monday dropped its indefinite ban that had prohibited the pair from attending the screenings.

The ban was imposed three weeks ago after the critics gave “thumbs down” to the film “Nuns on the Run.” Siskel, a movie critic for the Chicago Tribune, and Ebert, a movie critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, said on the “Live--Regis & Kathie Lee” television show they hadn’t found a single laugh in the movie. The two also have their own television movie review program.

Another Fox movie, “Vital Signs,” was shown Monday in Chicago to a preview audience, the first Fox screening since “Nuns.” Ebert was out of town on another assignment, but Siskel called Fox’s Chicago office to ask if he could attend. A company spokesman said the ban was lifted, and Siskel attended the preview.