An Early 1970s Chicagoland Discount Booklet Inspired a Little Sleuthing
Many years before the internet and deal sites like Groupon, various local companies sold discount books. I recall some that continued this tradition, well into the early 2000s. I had never heard of the Chicago-based King of Fun until I discovered a little booklet and membership card at an estate sale. The 1971-1972 booklet of deals cost $15 and offered 2 for 1 deals and other discounts. While many of the businesses are lost to history and I could find nothing online, I thought it would be fun to see how many movie theaters and entertainment venues included in this little booklet are still in business, if any. Mister Kelly’s Located on Rush Street in the city’s Gold Coast neighborhood, this club was a welcoming venue for rising stars who later gained international fame. Owned and operated by George and Oscar Marienthal, Mister Kelly’s changed show business and became one of American entertainment’s greatest proving grounds. The legendary nightclub launched the careers of superstars like Barbra Streisand, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, and Steve Martin. Other greats included Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day, Della Reese, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Mort Sahl, Lily Tomlin, Flip Wilson, and Bob Newhart. The club smashed color and gender barriers, transforming entertainment in America in the 1950s to 1970s. In 1969, Mister Kelly’s was sold to Arts and Leisure Corp., entertainment division, then Paul Wimmer bought it in 1971. Security issues, late-night TV, and the emergence of Las Vegas style venues that could afford to pay the performers more money led to Mister Kelly’s demise in August 1975.
