Remembering Mister Kelly's
WDCB’s Gary Zidek visits the Newberry Library’s A NIGHT AT MISTER KELLY’S exhibition.
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A new exhibit is celebrating a bygone era of Chicago nightlife. The Newberry Library is looking back at the history of Mister Kelly’s, one of Chicago’s hottest clubs in from the mid 50s to mid 70s. The popular night spot once welcomed some of the biggest names in show business.
Part of the A NIGHT AT MISTER KELLY’S exhibition at the Newberry Library.
The exhibit celebrates the legacy created by the Marienthal family. Brothers George Marienthal and Marienthal owned and operated Mister Kelly’s, as well as the London House and the Happy Medium. In recent years, George’s son, David has worked to shine a light on the his dad and uncle’s work.
Six years ago, Marienthal put together an archive of his family’s businesses and made a documentary about Mister Kelly’s. The film, LIVE AT MISTER KELLY’S, was released in 2021. Many of the artifacts collected by Marienthal over the years have been donated to the Newberry Library.
A wall of some of the famous performer who took the stage at Mister Kelly’s.
