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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.
PRIVATE SCREENING
Let us help you plan a private screening event for your community, organization, or temple. We have had many successful and entertaining showings complete with live music, food, and panel discussions. Contact us today to create a memorable experience custom tailored for your community. Email David Marienthal at david@happymediumventures.com
MEDIA and STORIES
When he was young, David Marienthal wanted nothing to do with the family business, even though his family's business was as hip and successful as a family business could be.
His father, George, and uncle, Oscar, ran three of the most renowned nightclubs in the country. For almost the entire third quarter of the 20th century, Mister Kelly's, the London House and the Happy Medium hosted a parade of a musical and comedic talent that would define American entertainment at the time and influence coming generations.
"I'd been going to the clubs since I was a young boy, getting all dressed up," says Marienthal, who was born in 1951. "And there was some talk of us (he and younger brothers Philip and James) of one day getting in the business. But as a teenager I had long hair, torn jeans and …. Well, that just wasn't going to happen."
So off he went to college here and there, eventually getting a degree and working as an architect and builder in Sante Fe, N.M.; coming back here to open and run for 17 years the successful Blue Mesa restaurant on Halsted Street with brother Philip; studying and getting a teacher certificate at the School of the Art Institute; moving to California to teach and paint. In 2010 he was back, doing arts consulting and managing some real estate.
But three years ago, he did, in a fashion, return to the family business, devoting his time, energy and resources to researching, interviewing and gathering materials about his father and uncle's clubs for what he hopes will be a book or a documentary or both. Or more.
There is already a Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/misterkellyschicago ) and websites ( www.happymediumventures.com and www.misterkellyschicago.com ) and, says Marienthal, "we are posting two or three things a day on other social media sites (such as Twitter and Instagram) and the response has been not only gratifying but amazing, mostly from the 18-35 year old crowd."
This is how he puts a possible TV series — already with a script being pitched to producers — on his website:
When he was young, David Marienthal wanted nothing to do with the family business, even though his family's business was as hip and successful as a family business could be.
His father, George, and uncle, Oscar, ran three of the most renowned nightclubs in the country. For almost the entire third quarter of the 20th century, Mister Kelly's, the London House and the Happy Medium hosted a parade of a musical and comedic talent that would define American entertainment at the time and influence coming generations.
"I'd been going to the clubs since I was a young boy, getting all dressed up," says Marienthal, who was born in 1951. "And there was some talk of us (he and younger brothers Philip and James) of one day getting in the business. But as a teenager I had long hair, torn jeans and …. Well, that just wasn't going to happen."
So off he went to college here and there, eventually getting a degree and working as an architect and builder in Sante Fe, N.M.; coming back here to open and run for 17 years the successful Blue Mesa restaurant on Halsted Street with brother Philip; studying and getting a teacher certificate at the School of the Art Institute; moving to California to teach and paint. In 2010 he was back, doing arts consulting and managing some real estate.
But three years ago, he did, in a fashion, return to the family business, devoting his time, energy and resources to researching, interviewing and gathering materials about his father and uncle's clubs for what he hopes will be a book or a documentary or both. Or more.
There is already a Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/misterkellyschicago ) and websites ( www.happymediumventures.com and www.misterkellyschicago.com ) and, says Marienthal, "we are posting two or three things a day on other social media sites (such as Twitter and Instagram) and the response has been not only gratifying but amazing, mostly from the 18-35 year old crowd."
This is how he puts a possible TV series — already with a script being pitched to producers — on his website:
When he was young, David Marienthal wanted nothing to do with the family business, even though his family's business was as hip and successful as a family business could be.
His father, George, and uncle, Oscar, ran three of the most renowned nightclubs in the country. For almost the entire third quarter of the 20th century, Mister Kelly's, the London House and the Happy Medium hosted a parade of a musical and comedic talent that would define American entertainment at the time and influence coming generations.
"I'd been going to the clubs since I was a young boy, getting all dressed up," says Marienthal, who was born in 1951. "And there was some talk of us (he and younger brothers Philip and James) of one day getting in the business. But as a teenager I had long hair, torn jeans and …. Well, that just wasn't going to happen."
So off he went to college here and there, eventually getting a degree and working as an architect and builder in Sante Fe, N.M.; coming back here to open and run for 17 years the successful Blue Mesa restaurant on Halsted Street with brother Philip; studying and getting a teacher certificate at the School of the Art Institute; moving to California to teach and paint. In 2010 he was back, doing arts consulting and managing some real estate.
But three years ago, he did, in a fashion, return to the family business, devoting his time, energy and resources to researching, interviewing and gathering materials about his father and uncle's clubs for what he hopes will be a book or a documentary or both. Or more.
There is already a Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/misterkellyschicago ) and websites ( www.happymediumventures.com and www.misterkellyschicago.com ) and, says Marienthal, "we are posting two or three things a day on other social media sites (such as Twitter and Instagram) and the response has been not only gratifying but amazing, mostly from the 18-35 year old crowd."
This is how he puts a possible TV series — already with a script being pitched to producers — on his website:
GALLERY
A closer look at the historic location where America’s biggest stars of jazz, comedy, and singing first grabbed the spotlight. Click on each image to see its full gallery!
Sarah Vaughn Live at Mr. Kelly’s
1967 Ed Sullivan Show
Live at Mr. Kelly's
Sarah Vaughn Live at Mr. Kelly’s
1967 Ed Sullivan Show
Live at Mr. Kelly's
Sarah Vaughn Live at Mr. Kelly’s
1967 Ed Sullivan Show
Same year as Mister Kelly’s Appearance
Live at Mr. Kelly's
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Mister Kelly’s was not just a club, it was a family, and it still is. We welcome you to it. Your comments on the site, the history, and these marvelous performers are appreciated, so drop us a line!
Mr. Kelly’s website was created and produced by Happy Medium Ventures. For information about projects, investment, partnership or business-related questions, please go to Happy Medium Ventures or contact:
Lisa Deluc