Polka queen Vlasta Krsek of Berwyn and her Baldoni accordion, which she played in the parade scene in downtown Chicago in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” | Gene Pesek / Sun-Times file

The custom-made Baldoni accordion sold at an auction of Hollywood memorabilia that saw the top price — $437,500 — go for Sylvester Stallone’s handwritten ideas for ‘Rocky.’

The accordion that Vlasta Krsek, the Berwyn musician who was known as the “International Queen of Polka,” played in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” has been sold for $12,500 at a Hollywood auction.

Krsek, who died of cancer last year at 83, performed “Twist and Shout” and “Danke Schoen” on the instrument while riding on a float with “Ferris” star Matthew Broderick in the exuberant parade scene in the 1986 John Hughes movie.

Provided
Vlasta Krsek and her accordion with director John Hughes and Matthew Broderick during filming in downtown Chicago of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

The accordion, which Krsek kept for years at her Berwyn home, was custom-made by Baldoni, a company long based in Wisconsin.

It was sold through Julien’s Auctions over the weekend at a Hollywood entertainment auction whose priciest item was a notebook, sold for $437,500, with Sylvester Stallone’s handwritten ideas for his 1976 movie “Rocky.”

Provided
The accordion Vlasta Krsek played in the parade scene in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was sold for $12,500.

A World War II refugee from Czechoslovakia, Krsek immigrated to Chicago and worked at General Electric, as well as composing polkas and performing. Her performances included playing on Johnny Carson’s and David Letterman’s late-night TV shows and for politicians including President Ronald Reagan and Mayors Harold Washington, Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley.

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Flanked by family members, supporters, attorneys and bodyguards, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Monday. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Smollett’s testimony would seem essential to proving the defense theory of the case as the actor stands trial on a second indictment brought by a special grand jury following a year-long investigation of the attack and State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office.

Jussie Smollett took the witness stand Monday, hoping to convince a jury that he was an innocent victim of a hate crime attack and not the mastermind of a hoax.

The former “Empire” actor began to testify a little after noon, and early questioning by defense attorney Nenye Uche focused on Smollett’s childhood and family background. He said he wasn’t always close to his father until later in life, but he called his mother “my favorite human in the world.”

Smollett also talked about being a “working child actor,” doing commercials in New York, moving to Los Angeles and landing a role in “The Mighty Ducks.”

“I played a Duck,” Smollett said.

Later, Smollett talked about his time on “Empire,” where he said he was paid around $28,000 per episode for the first, 10-episode season. By season three, he said he negotiated a raise to $80,000 per episode with a $10,000 increase per season. By the time he was fired, he said he was making $100,000 an episode.

Still, he said he was told, “You have to be for gay Black men what Phylicia Rashad was for Black women on ‘The Cosby Show.'”

During Smollett’s highly anticipated testimony, additional reporters and observers were allowed to gather around the open courtroom doors to try to watch and listen. Smollett’s testimony was hard to hear from the hallway though, and some people leaned an ear toward the courtroom to catch what they could.

Smollett’s time on the stand will mark his first extensive public remarks on the case against him since the former “Empire” actor read a statement as he left the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in March 2019. That followed a hearing at which the Cook County state’s attorney dropped all charges just weeks after he was indicted.

Some three years ago, Smollett proclaimed his innocence to a throng of reporters, saying, “I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one. … I would not be my mother’s son if I was capable of one drop of what I’d been accused of.”

Smollett’s testimony would seem essential to proving the defense theory of the case as the actor stands trial on a second indictment brought by a special grand jury after a yearlong investigation of the attack and State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office.

Smollett’s lawyers have cast the actor as an unwitting victim, betrayed by his onetime friend-turned-star prosecution witness Abimbola Osundairo and Osundairo’s older brother, Olabinjo.

The brothers testified that Smollett hired them to beat him up in view of a surveillance camera, even scripting homophobic and racist slurs he wanted them to yell, with the intention of putting the video on social media as a publicity stunt.

After a “rehearsal” a few days before the attack, Smollett gave Abimbola Osundairo, who had worked as his personal trainer, a $3,500 check which the brothers said was payment for participating in the hoax. Smollett’s lawyers have said the actor was paying for training services and illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Smollett is also expected to testify that Abimbola Osundairo requested a seven-figure payoff — either $1 million or $2 million, according to Smollett’s lawyers — to publicly admit Smollett was not involved in the hoax or to refuse to testify against the actor.

Smollett’s lawyers have also said that Abimbola Osundairo suggested Smollett hire him as a bodyguard after the actor received a threatening letter after learning the “Empire” studio wanted him to take on security.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former federal prosecutor Dan Webb, who was appointed special prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case, walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Monday.

Smollett has told his story before, if not under oath. Not long before he was indicted, the actor gave a lengthy interview to ABC reporter Robin Roberts that aired on “Good Morning America.” Smollett recalled struggling with two men as he walked home from a 24-hour sandwich shop.

At times tearful and often indignant, Smollett then said he was “pissed off” by the large contingent who doubted his story in the weeks since he’d come forward — a group his lawyers have implied included Chicago police investigators working to find his attackers.

Smollett will have to explain a text he sent to Abimbola Osundairo shortly after learning from police that the brothers had been identified as his attackers, expressing support to a friend who had apparently beaten him up, put a noose over his head and doused him with bleach.

“I know 1000%. You and your brother did nothing wrong… I am making this statement so everyone else knows … Please hit me when they let you go. I am behind you fully,” the text said.

Under questioning from Smollett’s lawyers, who have tried to cast the Osundairos as homophobes who were using their connection to the openly gay star to advance their acting careers, Abimbola Osundairo admitted going to a gay bathhouse on several occasions.

Smollett is likely to be asked about whether his relationship with the younger man was more than a friendship as his lawyers cross-examined Abimbola about whether he was aware Smollett had a crush on him.

Testimony has spanned five days so far, an exceptionally long trial for a defendant facing only low-level felonies. If he is found guilty, the actor would be eligible for a sentence of probation or one to three years behind bars.

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AP

“We just wish Dad were here to enjoy it,” Minoso’s son says.

The overriding theme and sentiment from Charlie Minoso and Sharon Rice-Minoso, newly elected Hall of Famer Minnie Minoso’s son and widow, is “bittersweet.”

So sweet because Minnie, the “Cuban Comet” also known as “Mr. White Sox,” was awarded entry into Cooperstown by the Golden Age Era committee on Sunday. Yet sad knowing the unassuming star outfielder and third baseman who played 12 of his 17 major league seasons with the White Sox, died in 2015 without enjoying the experience of receiving the phone call Charlie and Sharon took on his behalf Sunday night.

“I know Minnie would have cried. He was a sentimental guy,” Sharon Rice-Minoso said.

Many who knew of Minoso’s career or knew him personally got emotional Sunday night. His son and wife certainly did.

“It means a great deal,” Charlie said. “We just wish that Dad were here to enjoy it.”

If Minoso, a seven-time American League All-Star between 1951 and 1960 and baseball’s first Black Latino, felt slighted about not getting voted in by the Baseball Writers Association while he was alive, he didn’t show it.

“Truthfully, he took it very well,” Sharon said. “He was so close a number of times. It was kind of like, ‘well, they must not have thought it was my turn.’ Which was very admirable of him. He never had bad feelings. He never felt he was shorted.”

Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, fellow Cuban Tony Oliva, Buck O’Neil and Bud Fowler also were named, the latter two by the Early Days committee. This was the first time Minoso, O’Neil and Fowler had a chance to make the Hall under new rules honoring Negro League contributions.

The statistics of more than 3,000 players were added to baseball’s record books last December, the sport saying it was “correcting a longtime oversight in the game’s history.” Minoso was a two-time Negro League All-Star.

Minoso’s family was cautiously optimistic he would get the 12 necessary votes on 16 ballots from the Golden Era committee members.

“However, this time was just a bit different because it was the first time to go through the motions without him,” Charlie said. “So we’re still trying to process exactly what this means and how we can honor dad in this way with him not being physically with us.

“He’s still present. Just in a different form.”

And sharing tears.

“As Charlie and I did, tears of joy,” Sharon said.

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The Chicago Bears had to play a near-perfect game if they hoped to pull off a shocking victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Like most games this season, the Bears did not even come close to anything resembling perfection against the team with the NFL’s best record. Andy Dalton threw four interceptions as the Bears lost […] Chicago Bears: The good and the bad from the Arizona Cardinals loss – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

At least six people were killed and 24 others wounded in citywide shootings since Friday evening. | Sun-Times file

Nine people were killed and 23 others were wounded by gunfire across the city over the weekend.

A 15-year-old boy was shot, a CTA bus driver was beaten and two cops were injured as police responded to a large group of youths in downtown Chicago Saturday night.

Police said they arrested at least 22 juveniles and recovered two “replica firearms.”

The chaotic scene happened in the middle of a weekend that saw nine people killed and nearly two dozen others wounded in gun violence across Chicago.

As officers were containing the crowds Saturday evening, a 15-year-old boy was shot about 11:20 p.m. in the 200 block of North Wabash Avenue, police said. He had bumped into someone walking in the opposite direction and they began arguing, police said. The boy was shot in the arm and taken taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital in good condition.

No one was in custody for the shooting.

Less than three hours earlier, a CTA bus driver was beaten in the Loop, allegedly by 15-year-old boy. The driver, 49, got out of his bus to inspect for damage after hearing a loud noise in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue about 9 p.m., police said. He was pushed and repeatedly punched by two people.

He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with bruises to his face and body, police said, and was listed in fair condition.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested moments later and charged with a felony count of aggravated battery to a transit employee, police said.

Two police officers were also injured while responding to incidents in the Loop Saturday night. One officer’s arm was broken, the other officer’s injuries were unknown. Police released no other details about how they were hurt.

At least 22 minors were arrested in the downtown area Saturday night. Nine of them were charged with violating curfew. Police said they recovered two “replica firearms.”

The police department issued a statement Sunday saying it “had sufficient resources deployed to manage the crowd and ensure public safety. Street outreach workers coordinated efforts with police.”

Weekend gun violence

Nine people were killed and 23 others were wounded by gunfire across the city over the weekend.

The weekend’s first homicide was a man gunned down Friday evening on the Lower West Side. Michael Hernandez-Lagunas, 28, was shot several times while sitting in a vehicle around 6:20 p.m. in the 2300 block of West 23rd Place, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and pronounced dead.
A few hours later, a woman was shot inside a building in South Shore. The 27-year-old was shot in the head by someone in a hallway in the 7100 block of South Ridgeland Avenue around 8:20 p.m. Friday, police said. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
Around 8:30 p.m. Friday, a man was fatally shot outside a home in West Chatham. Lynnez Patterson, 44, was arguing with a male acquaintance on his porch about 8:25 p.m. Friday in the first block of 78th Place, authorities said. The acquaintance then shot the man several times, striking him in the torso and head, police said. He died at Stroger Hospital.

Saturday homicides

Early Saturday, a teenager was fatally shot in Back of the Yards. Anthony Fabs 19, was shot by someone in a black car as he walked on a sidewalk around 3 a.m. in the 4600 block of South Marshfield Avenue, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center and pronounced dead.
Saturday morning, a man was gunned down in Calumet Heights on the South Side. Police found the 33-year-old shot in the driver’s seat of a vehicle around 8:30 a.m. in the 9200 block of South Harper Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not release details about the shooting.
Saturday evening, a woman was fatally shot in West Englewood. Parrish Peeples, 54, was standing on the porch of a home about 5:15 p.m. in the 6500 block of South Claremont Avenue when people got out of a vehicle and fired shots at her, police said. She was struck in the leg and abdomen and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead.
An 18-year-old man was killed Saturday night in Englewood on the South Side. The man was walking through a gas station about 8 p.m. in the 1100 block of West 63rd Street when a vehicle drove by and someone from inside opened fire, police said. He was shot multiple times in the body and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His name hasn’t been released.

Sunday murders

A woman was shot to death and two men critically wounded while walking Sunday morning in Jefferson Park. Meagan Bilbo, 19, and a man were shot while walking in an alley about 4:30 a.m. in the 4800 block of North Central Avenue, police said. The gunfire entered a building and struck another man. Bilbo died at Community First Hospital. The men, both 23, were listed in critical condition.
Early Sunday, a man was killed and a woman wounded on the Near West Side. They were shot while sitting in a car in the 300 block of South Hoyne Avenue at 3:20 a.m., police said. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital, where the man, 41, was pronounced dead. The woman, 41, was in good condition.

Other shootings

Friday evening, a man was critically wounded in a shooting just blocks from the Mag Mile in the first block of East Huron Street. Sunday night, a teenager was shot while walking near the museum campus.

At least 17 others were wounded in shootings in Chicago from Friday, 5 p.m. to Monday, 5 a.m.

Last weekend, three people were killed and 26 others wounded in gun violence across Chicago.

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Maria (Rachel Zegler) defies her brother and falls for his gang rival in “West Side Story.” | 20th Century Studios

The reboot pulsates with life, thanks to the director’s artistry and a sensational cast led by Rachel Zegler in a starmaking feature debut as Maria.

When Steven Spielberg was filming “Jaws” in 1974 (for a 1975 release), we were just 13 years past the release of the iconic and acclaimed blockbuster “West Side Story.” Flash forward nearly a half-century, and the young man who overcame all those problems with Bruce the mechanical shark back in the 1970s to kick off his feature film career has achieved unquestioned status as one of the greatest and most successful directors in the history of cinema — and at the age of 74, Spielberg has pulled off a magnificent feat in delivering one of the greatest reboots of all time.

Soaring. Exhilarating. Magical. Heartbreaking. Unforgettable.

Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remains faithful to the 1957 Broadway musical source material (which, of course, was inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”) and is still firmly rooted in the New York City of the 1950s — but also manages to come across as fresh and timely, thanks to the screenplay by the great Tony Kushner, some key tweaks to certain characters and moments and song placement, and a sensational feature film debut by Rachel Zegler, who delivers a star-making performance and makes Maria her own from the moment we see her on screen. (We’d also be remiss not mention the classic original music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and the late Stephen Sondheim, respectively.)

The opening sequence of “West Side Story” sets the tempo for some obvious modern-day parallels, when finger-snapping Caucasian toughs led by Mike Faist’s volatile, born-angry Riff steal paint cans from one of the many construction sites in their gentrifying neighborhood and deface a mural of the Puerto Rican flag. (Shades of bigots whitewashing “Black Lives Matter” murals.) Of course, this being “West Side Story,” the tough-guy Jets swirl and twirl about with balletic grace — as do their rivals, the Puerto Rican gang the Sharks, led by the formidable Bernardo (David Alvarez), a professional boxer who has the smarts and the natural ability to rise above these streets and truly make something of himself, if only he can see past this day, this fight, these petty and violent squabbles.

As the casually racist Lt. Schrank (Corey Stoll) explains to these sons of the Irish, Italian and Polish and these sons of Puerto Rico, both groups are about to rendered extinct by the wrecking ball in this rapidly transitioning neighborhood, and there’s nothing they can do about it. And yet neither side can get past their fear-based resentment and hostility toward one another.

With cinematographer Janusz Kaminski’s camera swooping about in spectacular fashion and the production design by Adam Stockhausen perfectly capturing the 1957 vibe while also carrying an almost dreamlike quality at times, “West Side Story” effortlessly introduces (or should we say re-introduces) the familiar characters, including Zegler’s Maria, who is bursting with energy and life and optimism; Ansel Elgort’s Tony, who spent a year in prison after nearly killing a rival in a fight and is trying to be a better man; Ariana DeBose’s Anita, a lovely and passionate and independent-minded woman who is Bernardo’s girlfriend and an older-sister figure to Maria, and the seemingly bookish Chino (Josh Andres Rivera), who has been tabbed by Bernardo to be the right kind of suitor for Maria.

20th Century Studios
Two of the screen-commanding performances come from Ariana DeBose (left) as Anita and David Alvarez as Bernardo.

Ah, but Maria has a mind and a heart of her own, as she’s constantly reminding her brother. And when Tony and Maria lock eyes across the dance floor while the Sharks and Jets make plans for one last epic rumble, let’s just say for this particular star-crossed couple the night is suddenly full of light. We know Elgort is movie-star handsome and he does a solid job of singing and dancing — but even when he’s not in the shadows, it still seems like he’s in the shadows alongside the radiant Zegler. (For that matter, Faist as Riff, Alvarez as Bernardo and DeBose as Anita all give such star-powered, screen-commanding performances, Elgort seems like a supporting player even though he’s a lead. It’s not that he isn’t serviceable; he’s just not in their same collective magnetic league.)

“West Side Story” 2021 features a pair of inspired upgrades to supporting characters. The legendary Rita Moreno (who played Anita in the 1961 film) lends the film its conscience as Valentina, the widow of the drugstore owner Doc, whose long and beautiful interracial marriage gives hope to Tony that he and Maria can make it. Moreno turns in a memorable, grounded, deeply moving performance. And then there’s Anybodys (Iris Menas) who was what they called a “tomboy” back in the day but is a non-binary character in the 21st century version. Neither of these casting choices seems gimmicky; they’re just better ways to tell the tale.

20th Century Studios
Rita Moreno of the 1961 “West Side Story” gives a deeply moving performance as the widow Valentina.

The famous Spielbergian magic lighting is put to great use here, e.g., when Tony takes Maria uptown to The Met Cloisters and they essentially exchange lifetime vows to the tune of “One Hand, One Heart,” in a beautifully spiritual setting. On numerous other occasions, the location shots (and elaborate soundstage set pieces) pulsate with life, as well-choreographed extras back out of the way or look on in amazement during numbers such as the still-infectious “America.” In a career filled with brilliant achievements, Steven Spielberg has injected new life, new blood, new energy, new artistry, into a classic.

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There were no surprises when the Chicago Bears took on the Arizona Cardinals yesterday. The Bears ended up losing 33-22, but the score wasn’t indicative of just how poor of a performance this team put on. Unless their name was Roquan Smith, Robert Quinn or David Montgomery, chances are they had a mediocre performance at […] Chicago Bears: Matt Nagy continues with same loser’s mentality – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & MoreRead More

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