Mal Bellairs Interviews
31 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Mal Bellairs interviewed many well known personalities in Chicago. On WBBM-AM and later WIVS radio.
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Episodes
The Night Before Christmas
December 20, 2022 16:44 - 4 minutes - 3.69 MBIn later years Mal used a professional recording of The Night Before Christmas, but I like hearing my Dad's version.
Yes, Virginia, There Is
December 19, 2022 16:38 - 9 minutes - 8.79 MBOnce upon a time a little girl asked the local paper for the truth about Santa. Half a century later Mal Bellairs interviewed Virginia O'Hanlon, that little girl.
Mal interviews Bill Cosby Summer 1968
February 28, 2022 21:19 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBInterview 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
January 05, 2022 17:15 - 9 minutes - 8.97 MBMal 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
January 02, 2022 17:29 - 18 minutes - 13.8 MBMal 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
December 26, 2021 18:33 - 49 minutes - 45 MBDecember 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 The interview includes a couple of new, unpublished songs.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
December 13, 2021 23:26 - 6 minutes - 5.6 MBThey 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
December 13, 2021 23:11 - 5 minutes - 4.62 MBMal 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
December 05, 2021 23:41 - 7 minutes - 7.29 MBMal 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
December 05, 2021 23:32 - 5 minutes - 3.69 MBMal 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?)
December 05, 2021 20:57 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBGlacier 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)
December 05, 2021 20:37 - 7 minutes - 5.23 MBThey describe the train trip with emphasis on the dining car; Interview the steward.
Mal and Jo on the Go -- Interview BOAC executive (1969)
November 30, 2021 15:56 - 8 minutes - 7.42 MBBritish 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
November 26, 2021 16:52 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MBMal and Jo take a gently approach to mountain climbing. Mt LeConte was a family destination.
Mal and Jo discover the Serbian Club
November 24, 2021 21:35 - 9 minutes - 8.59 MBDinner at a place serving Serbian food.
Mal and Jo on the Go -- Review "The Corn is Green" at the Ivanhoe
November 21, 2021 20:54 - 6 minutes - 6.09 MBThe 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)
November 19, 2021 21:32 - 10 minutes - 9.47 MBProgressive 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
November 18, 2021 15:46 - 6 minutes - 5.79 MBInteresting to Mal's family. Millers and Klines are on the tape.
Mal and Jo on the Go -- Reviewing the first National Company of Cabaret
November 16, 2021 21:09 - 5 minutes - 4.66 MBMal 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?)
November 14, 2021 23:07 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MBJo 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
November 12, 2021 15:38 - 8 minutes - 7.82 MBAfter 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)
November 11, 2021 16:14 - 2 minutes - 2.7 MBA 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
November 10, 2021 16:00 - 7 minutes - 6.68 MBSimple 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
November 09, 2021 16:10 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MBEarly days at Hilton Head. They rent a house and take the kids.
Mal and Jo learn about the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus
November 08, 2021 16:24 - 13 minutes - 12 MBThe Bellairs went to the big top circus every year. Jo's Wisconsin roots were close to the circus. Here they interview Henry Ringling North.
Mal and Jo at Toklat at Aspen
November 07, 2021 16:02 - 5 minutes - 4.76 MBAround 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
November 06, 2021 15:43 - 10 minutes - 9.63 MBMal 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)
November 05, 2021 19:56 - 6 minutes - 4.89 MBBefore 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)
November 05, 2021 19:41 - 7 minutes - 5.07 MBMal and Jo describe going to the Ishnala Supper Club near the Wisconsin Dells.
Mal & Jo on the Go at the Wisconsin Dells 1968
November 05, 2021 15:39 - 6 minutes - 5.82 MBMal 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
November 04, 2021 16:11 - 4 minutes - 4.06 MBMal and Jo Bellairs describe a visit to Vermont to view fall colors. Recorded in 1968 at Kilington Vermont.