Back in the day, I used to get the SF Chronicle newspaper delivered. They had this iconic “Little Man” where I remember seeing them in movie reviews. I was never the biggest fan of the star rating system. The thumbs up system that Siskel and Ebert had was a little better as two critics giving their opinions. The little man had visuals that explain how I would recommend a movie to someone. As not even worth your time, something to sit through, and standing ovation (or in the little man’s case, jumping out of your seat clapping).
Since the early 1940s, the small bald guy in the bowler hat has been the Bay Area's arbiter of good taste. Used by Chronicle critics as a rating icon, he really gets around — to movies, live theater, concerts and football games. Here's an illustrated guide to some of the places The Chronicle dispatched him this year.