Baton Lounge 1974

Directed by Tom Palazzolo

Footage documenting a toy drive – “Toys for Tots” – held at a leather bar / motorcycle club in Chicago, called the Baton Lounge. The club was originally located at 436 N. Clark St., but moved to 4713 N. Broadway in 2019. The owner is Illinois native Jim Flint, who along with Irv Kupcinet helped to inaugurate the club’s most well-known tradition, “The Top of the Nation Revue,” which popularized the art of female impersonation and lip syncing – some of which can be seen in this film.