Mal Bellairs Interviews

In later years Mal used a professional recording of The Night Before Christmas, but I like hearing my Dad's version.

Once 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.

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 The interview includes a couple of new, unpublished songs.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.