Chicago doc Live at Mister Kelly’s is the closer for Santa Fe Film Festival

Live at Mister Kelly's
Live at Mister Kelly’s

The Santa Fe Film Festival schedule from February 3 – 13 has announced their closing film will be the Chicago documentary, Live at Mister Kelly’s.

The film celebrates Mister Kelly’s, the legendary and progressive Chicago nightclub that was an incubator for positive social change and risk-taking artistry in mid-century Chicago.

The iconic 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, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Bette Midler and Steve Martin

Live at Mister Kelly’s

Its visionary owners George and Oscar Marienthal smashed color and gender barriers to put unknown, controversial voices on stage and transform entertainment, as America knew it in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Now, with the club long gone, and its star talent reaching its golden years, George’s son David Marienthal and director/screenwriter, Theodore Bogosian, go on a quest to collect the memories of the clubs before they are lost. 

Celebrity interviews now include Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers, Dick Gregory, Lainie Kazan, Herbie Hancock, Dick Cavett, Tim Reid, Fred Willard and Ramsey Lewis. The film portrays through interviews, live footage, photos, music, and song, the most beloved and famous talent of our time at the decisive moments when they showed up, dug deep, and broke in. 

The festival will be LIVE and In-Person February 3 – 13 at 60 E. San Francisco Street, Suite 307, Santa Fe 87501.


Nominate Someone You know For 4th Annual The Reel Black List OR Reel Women


Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest film, TV, advertising, entertainment and production news! Sign up for our free elert here.