My name is Gary Zidek. Welcome to The Arts Section. Tune into the radio program every Sunday morning on WDCB 90.9 & 90.7 FM or listen to it online here. I'll be showcasing a variety of arts & entertainment stories.
Archiving Project Keeps Memories of Mister Kelly's & the London House Alive
WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to David Marienthal about a multi-platform effort to keep his family's legacy alive. His dad, George Marienthal, and uncle, Oscar Marienthal, owned and operated three popular Chicago nightspots during a period between the late 40's and mid 70's. The London House, Mister Kelly's and the Happy Medium are the focus of an archiving project, that includes plans for a documentary, book and, perhaps, a television series.
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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to David Marienthal about his archiving project that looks back at his family's three nightspots.
"Started thinking this is something that needs to be done before it's lost. I really needed to record this, to archive the time, so that it's not totally forgotten. since it was such an important part of Chicago's cultural history" - David Marienthal talking about his decision to start this archiving project.
"It's been such a great thrill to be at Mister Kelly's. I've heard everyone speak about it, Sassy said it was the craziest. And now I know what she meant. Everybody has been so wonderful." - Ella Fitzgerald talking about performing at Mister Kelly's on her live album recorded in 1958.
David Marienthal brought on veteran Chicago filmmaker Phillip Koch to direct the documentary about Mister Kelly's.
David Marienthal hopes to release the Mister Kelly's documentary in the spring of 2019. In the mean time, you can check out the archiving project's website at misterkellyschicago.com