Mal Bellairs Interviews

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

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.

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 The interview includes a couple of new, unpublished songs.

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

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

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

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

Dinner at a place serving Serbian food.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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