SOCIAL IMPACT AND VISION AWARD - Ojai Film Festival
Civil and Womens' Rights • Jewish History • Entrepreneurship • 20th Century Popular • African American History • History of Standup • Political Comedy
Date of Completion: 2021 | Run Time: 80 minutes | Language: English | Captions: Yes | Includes: Transcript & Study Guide | Director: Ted Bogosian | Producers: Scott Dummler | Executive Producer: David Marienthal | Associate Producer: Adam Carston
The story of two Jewish Brothers that came home from the war and transformed a family coffee shop into an entertainment empire. 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, bylaunching talent like Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Bette Midler and Steve Martin. 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 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. 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.
AWARDS
Social Impact and Vision Award | Ojai Film Festival