Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's

IMDb 7.3 1998 • 90 min • DocumentaryDrama

Director

Robert Pulcini

Country

US

Plot Summary

In 1995, Chasen's closed its doors after 60 years of serving chili to movie stars and visiting dignitaries, Presidents and the Pope. During its two final weeks, Chasen regulars (actors and producers), staff, and management sat for interviews. There's an Oscar party for 1500, footage and photos of famous diners, and time with Tommy Gallagher, the ebullient head waiter until retirement in 1994, his son Patrick, catering head Raymond Bilbool, general manager Ronnie Clint, hat check girl Val Schwab, ladies' room attendant Onetta Johnson, and foreign- born waiters, including Jaime. When he started in 1970, like other Latins, he wasn't allowed out of the kitchen. It's a family farewell.

Top Cast

Sally Kellerman
Sally Kellerman Self
Martin Landau
Martin Landau Self
David Frost
David Frost Self
Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon Self
Margaret O'Brien
Margaret O'Brien Self