Nelly Don: The Musical Movie

It is so wonderful to see this movie evolve from the sold out Musical version at MTH at KC's Crown Center in March 2019.

The creative genius of Daniel Doss , Music Composer and Terence O'Malley. Lyricist, bring to life on screen the true KC story about the fashion designer icon, Nell Quinlan Donnelly Reed.

Numerous Kansas City Metro historic sites provided the movie set locations. The amazing talented Cast, Musicians, and Crew were all from the KC Metro area.

The musical performances are quite entertaining and the costume designs are exquisite. Some of the vintage costumes worn in the movie are Nelly Don originals.

This movie was filmed in Kansas City and had great actors who were available as many performing arts theatres were closed during the pandemic.

The music was incredible and told the true story of Nelly Don - an accomplished business owner who was globally known. The movie depicts many of the department stores that sold Nelly Don dresses across the country. Most of the film centers on Nell's story from her home and business in Kansas City, MO. It also showed Nell was born in Parsons, KS.

I'm sure producing a period-piece is difficult on a modest budget (a common struggle for independent films), yet they successfully entertained and educated me on this sensational story.

THIS IS THE WORST MOVIE AND WORST MUSICAL EVER!!! I was so disapointed, as a life long resident of kansas city, I was so excited to see a musical about Kansas City history. It only took 5 min to realize that The poeple who created this movie obviously never saw a movie or musical before in there lives. Every part of this production, from lryics, to script, to Cinematography, to the Choreography was just awful. And the effects, OMG the effects who ever was in charge of the editing, post-production, and the graphics should be fired blacklisted. The graphics made it look like a middle school project. The songs were nonsensical. And To top it all of there were discrepancies between the history I Learned and this movie. I wish I could get my 2 hours back.

As a historian, I LOVED this movie simply for the fact that so much when into it and it was filmed locally. I'm not a huge fan of musicals but this one I liked. The story of Nell Donnelly Reed is one of success and struggle with a bit of scandal (her relationship with James A Reed) and suspense (her kidnapping). The fashions and attention to set detail was commendable. It was a well thought out and produced production. I hope to see it again or perhaps own a copy of it so I may use it in class for teaching my students about the turn of the century, women's role in society gradually changing, the 1920s, local history, and so much more.

Fascinating local history!