The Magazine Wars (1977)
This rare June 30, 1977 televised interview with 27-year-old Robert M. Katzman (now, 74) took place in Bob’s Newsstand. It is the only existing recording of Chicago’s infamous “Magazine Wars” from 1975-1980. It refers to Katzman’s David-and-Goliath victory over the largest distribution company in the U.S. at the time. His winning the landmark court case resulted in permanently removing the unspoken agreement — the national blockade — against mainstream distribution of Queer magazines in America.
speaking of our words (2019)
Poet Marshall Smith introduces and interviews the author, exploring his writing style and ideas. Katzman reads a 2018 work, "On Rusting into Kitsch" and one of his earliest poems, "City Sights and Scenes" written in February 1959, when Bob was 9 years old. He comments, "It is a great kindness, and an honor to be allowed the time to express something as personal as a poem."
magazine memories
The wistful story of how Bob opened his back-issue periodical store, containing 150,000 vintage magazines and newspapers.