Mal Bellairs Interviews

Follow Mal Bellairs Interviews
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Mal Bellairs interviewed many well known personalities in Chicago. On WBBM-AM and later WIVS radio.

Mal Bellairs On the Air


    • Feb 28, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 9m AVG DURATION
    • 29 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Mal Bellairs Interviews with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Mal Bellairs Interviews

    Mal interviews Bill Cosby Summer 1968

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 13:01


    Interview in Chicago after a Cosby performance. Recorded in his dressing room between shows for broadcast on Mal's Sunday afternoon radio show on WBBM. In retrospect some disturbing rumination by Cosby on the colors of Black women. And Cosby tries out a bit. Mal comments that this is shortly after 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.

    Mal interviews Nat King Cole, October 14, 1956

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2022 9:47


    Mal and Nat King Cole discuss Nat's role in the movie "St. Louis Blues" about the life of WC Handy.

    New Year's Eve 1955

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2022 18:32


    Mal was doing the New Years Eve broadcast from WBBM in Chicago in 1955. He called around the country to talk with band leaders including Nelson Riddle, Duke Ellington, Ralph Martiere, and others. Just a short minute or two with each.

    Mal chats with musician Bob Gibson

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 49:12


    December 27, 1980. Bob Gibson drops by the studio with his banjo and guitar. He tells Mal about early days -- the first time he met Pete Seeger and fell for the banjo. The folk scene in Chicago. The interview includes a couple of new, unpublished songs.

    Mal and Jo on the Go at Gaelic Imports

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 6:07


    They are at a business that has been in Chicago since 1957 and is STILL THERE. Reviews indicate that they do a huge business in Irish bacon. They have a facebook page.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Plentywood Farm Restaurant, Bensenville IL

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 5:02


    Mal and Jo at a family favorite restaurant. Started in 1932 in a "log cabin" designed by a student of Wright. Closed now and log cabin torn down in the 1990s to make way for a subdivision.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Glacier Park at 2 Lodges

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 7:52


    Mal and Jo describe Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glaciers Lodge. Jo was particularly interested in Many Lakes, where the young staff were all selected for artistic talent -- actors and musicians.

    Mal and Jo on the Go at Glacier Park Crossing the Continental Divide

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 5:13


    Mal and Jo take the red bus over Logan Pass at Glacier Park and describe the continental divide.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Glacier Park (1968?)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 13:32


    Glacier Park Lodge in Canada. Mal comments on the feeling as they climb Mount Brown looking down on Lake McDonald.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Taking the train from Chicago to Minneapolis (1968)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 7:03


    They describe the train trip with emphasis on the dining car; Interview the steward.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Interview BOAC executive (1969)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 8:05


    British Overseas Airways exec talks about flying elephants and the Beatles. Memories of Bangkok. The UK is about to adopt laws to prevent keeping elephants in captivity. Times change.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- The Smokies, Gatlinburg, and Mt LeConte

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2021 7:32


    Mal and Jo take a gently approach to mountain climbing. Mt LeConte was a family destination.

    Mal and Jo discover the Serbian Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 9:22


    Dinner at a place serving Serbian food.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Review "The Corn is Green" at the Ivanhoe

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2021 6:39


    The Ivanhoe Theater opened on Chicago's north side in 1966 and closed in 2001. Mal and Jo recall seeing this play first in 1943.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Ontario, Canada, Minister of Trade and Development (1968)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2021 10:20


    Progressive Conservative Stanley Randall. Canada before NAFTA. Ontario looking for business in Chicago.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- They had a club that they called a Gourmet Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 6:19


    Interesting to Mal's family. Millers and Klines are on the tape.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Reviewing the first National Company of Cabaret

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 5:05


    Mal and Jo went to see Melissa Hart, a Chicago Second City member, when she played Sally Bowles in Cabaret. 1968.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Wulffs Island Inn, north of Milwaukee (1968?)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2021 7:55


    Jo recalls going to Wulffs Island as a teen (1930s). An easy day trip from Chicago for Mal and Jo with kids Chris and Jeff.. Lobster dinner for $4.95. No longer a destination.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- original Mama Lena Restaurant

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 8:32


    After favorable reviews appeared in the Chicago Tribune and Playboy magazine, the restaurant attracted high-profile customers that included Jimmy Durante, Candice Bergen, Sammy Davis Jr., Maureen Stapleton, Peter Boyle, Johnny Mercer, Henny Youngman, Michelle Lee, James Farentino, Joe DiMaggio and Jake LaMotta. Critics said a night at Mama Lena's felt like stepping into an Italian matriarch's private home. from Chicago Tribune Obituary for Mama Lena Madonna

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- with Chris and Jeff picking out pumpkins (1968)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 2:56


    A Fall excursion to a farm. Fresh apple cider, doughnuts, and pumpkins for Halloween. Chris and Jeff are Mal and Jo's youngest sons.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Atlanta and the Hilton Hotel

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 7:17


    Simple travel. Visit to a fancy new hotel with rooms in the $22-$25 range.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Hilton Head family vacation around 1967

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 7:58


    Early days at Hilton Head. They rent a house and take the kids.

    Mal and Jo learn about the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 13:06


    The Bellairs went to the big top circus every year. Jo's Wisconsin roots were close to the circus. Here they interview Henry Ringling North.

    wisconsin barnum bailey circus ringling brothers barnum bellairs
    Mal and Jo at Toklat at Aspen

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2021 5:11


    Around 1960 the Bellairs did Christmas at Aspen. Here Mal and Jo share memories of the family visit to Stuart Mace's place, Toklat. Toklat is now preserved as part of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

    Mal and Jo on the Go -- Hiking the Grand Canyon, November 1966

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2021 10:30


    Mal and Jo battled a snow storm to get to the Canyon and hiked down.

    Mal and Jo in Chicago's Old Town, The Cave Restaurant (1968)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 6:44


    Before it was Old Town it was just Wells Street in Chicago. Mal and Jo review a place made up to look like a cave. The Old Town Pub is now at that address.

    On the Go at Ishnala (1968)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 7:01


    Mal and Jo describe going to the Ishnala Supper Club near the Wisconsin Dells.

    Mal & Jo on the Go at the Wisconsin Dells 1968

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 6:17


    Mal and Jo visit the Dells. Jo recalls visits to the Dells as a child. They describe a ride on the Duck.

    Mal & Jo on the Go - Vermont 1968

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 4:23


    Mal and Jo Bellairs describe a visit to Vermont to view fall colors. Recorded in 1968 at Kilington Vermont.

    Claim Mal Bellairs Interviews

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel