Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Oral History of Mort Sahl |
Collection |
Oral History |
Scope & Content |
In this oral history, stand-up comedy pioneer Mort Sahl recounts his life, career, passions, and disappointments. Born in Montreal in 1927, Mort grew up primarily in Los Angeles. After graduating from USC, Mort moved up to the Bay Area and soon after started his career in stand-up comedy at the legendary hungry i nightclub in San Francisco. Mort discusses his rise to national fame in the entertainment business, which led him to meet many notable people, including the likes of John F. Kennedy for whom he wrote speeches during the 1960 presidential campaign. Mort discusses his three marriages and the tragic early death of his son. 91 years old when this oral history was conducted, Mort recounts how he moved to Mill Valley from Los Angeles just a decade earlier after doing some performances at the Throckmorton Theatre. Throughout this oral history Mort uninhibitedly shares his views on life, culture, politics, and various other subjects, revealing a singular personality. |
Audio and Transcript |
Click here to hear recording. Click here to read the transcript. |
Dates of Creation |
2018-05-25 |
Interviewee |
Stahl, Mort |
Interviewer |
Schwartz, Debra |
Extent and Medium |
Transcript: 43 pp Recording: 02:01:48 |
Search Terms |
Babior, Susan Clubs Comedians Garrison, Jim hungry i Jazz Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Joseph Lee, China McCarthy, Eugene Mercer, Lucy Oral history - Visual, performing, literary arts Politicians Politics Politics Sahl Jr., Mort Sahl, Kenslea Sahl, Mort Schwartz, Dorothy Shows Speechwriting Stevenson, Adlai Throckmorton Theatre Winters, Jonathan Writers Writing |
Object ID |
2018.032.001 |
Object Name |
Recording |
Copyrights |
Transcript and recording copyright Mill Valley Public Library, 2018. Materials are made available for research purposes only; all rights are reserved to the Mill Valley Public Library. Requests for permission to quote for publication or for any other usage must be obtained from the Library. |