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Hi.

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

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.

 
David Marienthal holding Sarah Vaughan live album recorded at Mister Kelly's

David Marienthal holding Sarah Vaughan live album recorded at Mister Kelly's

"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.

The Marienthal brothers in front of London House

The Marienthal brothers in front of London House

Barbara Streisand in front of Mister Kelly's

Barbara Streisand in front of Mister Kelly's

Street view of Mister Kelly's

Street view of Mister Kelly's

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald

"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 going through the live albums recorded at Mister Kelly's and the London House

David Marienthal going through the live albums recorded at Mister Kelly's and the London House

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David Marienthal brought on veteran Chicago filmmaker Phillip Koch to direct the documentary about Mister Kelly's.

Phillip Koch, director of the upcoming documentary, MISTER KELLY'S WASN'T IT A TIME?

Phillip Koch, director of the upcoming documentary, MISTER KELLY'S WASN'T IT A TIME?

Adam Carston is a local historian helping with the research

Adam Carston is a local historian helping with the research

David Marienthal, Adam Carston and Phillip Koch looking at some Youtube videos of Chicago jazz performances 

David Marienthal, Adam Carston and Phillip Koch looking at some Youtube videos of Chicago jazz performances 

David Marienthal, Ramsey Lewis and Adam Caston

David Marienthal, Ramsey Lewis and Adam Caston

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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

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