[Della Reese and Nipsey Russell at the Roberts Motel]
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Home movie likely shot by comedian George Kirby, featuring scenes of Della Reese and Nipsey Russell at Herman Roberts' legendary Roberts Motel on Chicago's South side.
Credits
George Kirby (filmmaker); Herman Roberts (participant); Della Reese (participant); Nipsey Russell (participant)
Complete catalog record
Date: circa 1974
Cfa collection: George Kirby Collection
Notes: The film begins with views of a sunset shot from an airplane window. Next, men are filmed setting up a temporary stage, red carpet, and rows of chairs in the parking lot of the Roberts Motel (301 E 63rd St) while Herman Roberts supervises. An advertisement on a truck indicates that Della Reese and Nipsey Russell will be performing; Russell is seen arriving, stopping to chat with Roberts. As guests start to arrive, people gather on a rooftop apartment with a walkout terrace and drink. Underexposed interior footage shows a formally dressed crowd, sitting in rows or at small tables. People walk the red carpet in formal attire. Della Reese is seen getting make-up put on. A marquee for the famed 500 Room reads "Della Reese - Nipsey Russell - June 29 30 1 July." The film ends with underexposed footage of Reese performing on stage in a sequined dress.Read more about the history of the Roberts Motel here.
Subjects: Entertainers; Celebrities; Laborers; Hotels; Music; African Americans
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Woodlawn
Cfa elements: Reversal Positives, 803 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/43594
Cfa collection: George Kirby Collection
Notes: The film begins with views of a sunset shot from an airplane window. Next, men are filmed setting up a temporary stage, red carpet, and rows of chairs in the parking lot of the Roberts Motel (301 E 63rd St) while Herman Roberts supervises. An advertisement on a truck indicates that Della Reese and Nipsey Russell will be performing; Russell is seen arriving, stopping to chat with Roberts. As guests start to arrive, people gather on a rooftop apartment with a walkout terrace and drink. Underexposed interior footage shows a formally dressed crowd, sitting in rows or at small tables. People walk the red carpet in formal attire. Della Reese is seen getting make-up put on. A marquee for the famed 500 Room reads "Della Reese - Nipsey Russell - June 29 30 1 July." The film ends with underexposed footage of Reese performing on stage in a sequined dress.Read more about the history of the Roberts Motel here.
Subjects: Entertainers; Celebrities; Laborers; Hotels; Music; African Americans
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago > Woodlawn
Cfa elements: Reversal Positives, 803 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/43594
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:26