The legendary Mister Kelly’s illuminated legendary Chicago’s Rush Street, and the entire country, by launching talent like Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor and more.
Visionary owners George and Oscar Marienthal smashed color and gender barriers to put fresh, irreverent voices in the spotlight and transform entertainment in the 50s, 60s, and ’70s.
George’s son David Marienthal joins Intercultural Spark to share how he went on a quest to collect the memories, captured in his new documentary, Mr. Kelly’s Chicago.
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More about Mister Kelly’s and the Documentary
The legendary Mister Kelly’s, once called a “supernova in the local and national night life firmament,” illuminated legendary Chicago’s Rush Street, and the entire country, by launching talent like Barbra Streisand, Herbie Hancock, Bette Midler, and Richard Pryor. Its visionary owners George and Oscar Marienthal smashed color and gender barriers to put fresh, irreverent voices in the spotlight and transform entertainment in the 50s, 60s, and ’70s.
Now, with the club long gone, and its star talent reaching its golden years, George’s son David and acclaimed director/screenwriter, Ted Bogosian, go on a quest to collect the memories of the clubs before they are lost. The list of celebrity interviews is long, and now includes Lily Tomlin, Woody Allen, Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers, Dick Gregory, Lainie Kazan, Dick Cavett, Shecky Greene, David Steinberg, Robert Klein, Ramsey Lewis and many others. Interviews with dozens of local musicians, staff, family, and patrons provide a delightful balance of fascinating stories.
The film will portray through interviews, live footage, photos, music, and song, the most beloved and famous talent of our time at the decisive moments when they first showed up, dug deep, and broke in. How do you change the world with a laugh and a song? Find out in a film that documents the rise and fall of one of American entertainment’s great proving grounds.
Please help us preserve and bring this important part of Chicago cultural and social history to the next generation. Make your tax-deductible donation by clicking on the link below.
Learn more at misterkellyschicago.com
