RSS

Category Archives: Memoir

March and April 1936 – I will be glad when the election is over.

March and April 1936  – I  will be glad when the election is over.

Trudel continued to abstract her letters into brief notes so I have consolidated March and April 1936 into one post. [April is below the first movie trailer.]

3/20/26
A fortune teller told me that Papa was not feeling well and should watch his health much more. Right? Leonard is very busy making speeches for Governor Len Small for mayor of Chicago. I will be glad when the election is over.

Easter Sunday 4/12/26
Happy birthday to Erna. [Erna’s birthday was April 25th.]
Leonard with speeches, also on radio, and I with hats, are keeping both of us very busy. I Try to go with him when I can.

Last Friday Rose LaMarque and I saw “The Great Waltz.” Wonderful.

4/26/36
Although Leonard was not elected as a judge, he is still much better off than the other Republican candidate who spent $25,000 and lost too with only ½ as many votes as Leonard, who did not spend 1¢. I am glad it is all over but it was very interesting for me and I learned a lot.

Papa’s letter had been opened by the Germans, by the foreign exchange department.

I Have not moved to the Seneca Hotel with Mrs La Marque yet, but will tell you the advantages I will have:
1. The landlord will not misplace my mail
2. All phone calls and visitors will be told me as soon as I come home
3. Home right after work (in the building)
4. Not so much alone
5. For the same money much bigger room
6. Telephone in the room
7. Private bathroom
8. Much better neighborhood
9. 1st class hotel service
10. Restaurant and grocery store in building
11. Closer to the beach in summer
12. Radio
13. Sewing machine
Etc., etc.

Went to Klemm and Addie Eggner’s wedding last Sunday. Although Leonard was not in the mood for it since his 85 year old Father had died 3 days before in Sumter, he went with me anyhow. He could not go to the funeral since it was the next day and it would have taken 2 days to get there.

I saw best movie ever, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town”: serious story; excellent performances.

http://youtu.be/GLzWGnBqumk


I have been unable to find any information about the judicial elections in Chicago in 1936. It would appear that there must have been some kind of open primary or Trudel may have combined the primary with the general election in her mind, which would explain how LJG could lose to “his opponent” and his opponent could also lose.

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

May 17, 1936 – Today I am 2 years in America. How the time flies.

May 17, 1936 – Today I am 2 years in America. How the time flies.

5/17
Today I am 2 years in America. How the time flies!

Len Small, for whom Leonard was electioneering, died yesterday after an operation.

He [Leonard] won a case in the Illinois Supreme Court against several big Chicago lawyers.

Len Small Funeral

Click on image.

We are now in his new office just 2 doors from the old one but much bigger and nicer.

LJG at desk

[One of] LJG’s Offices



Ziegfeld poster

The Great Ziegfield

This week we saw the “Great Ziegfield” with William Powell and Myrna Loy. Great.

Love,
Your Trudelchen


The funeral notices and biography Len Small, who had been elected governor twice, but ran for office at least half a dozen times, tell a lot of his story. It makes me wonder why LJG supported him.

Perhaps this article sheds some light on the subject:

CJH

LJG in Chicago Jewish History


 
 

Tags: , , ,

June 1, 1936 – Trudel Moves to the Seneca Hotel

June 1, 1936  – Trudel Moves to the Seneca Hotel

Trudel continues to translate only brief summaries from her letters, “diary style,” she calls it. In the coming months there are a few few full length letters so keep watching.


Rose LaMarque

Rose LaMarque

6/1
I finally moved in with Mrs. Rose La Marque at the Seneca Hotel, after being sick for a week and in bed.

I am working for Sully only now at her hat shop, which is also in the Seneca.

The Seneca Hotel

The Seneca Hotel

Sully

Sully

Sully's

Sully’s Hat Shop


Saw a nice movie “The Golden Arrow” with Bette Davis.

http://http://lgrossman.com/trudel/8q1

 

Tags: , , , ,

August 20, 1936 – The biggest and best night club; elegant people

August 20, 1936 – The biggest and best night club; elegant people
Seneca Roof

Roof garden at the Seneca Hotel.

Trudel continues to translate only brief summaries of her original letters. The two entries she made for August 1936 only hint at the changes she had made in her life. But we can fill in some of the blanks from her photo album. Last month she mentioned sitting on the roof of the Seneca Hotel because it was so hot. Since posting that I found a photo of the Roof Garden at the Seneca in her album, which I have included here.

Although she doesn’t mention it in her translations, her photo album for the period includes photos on Chicago’s lake front and in the parks. I have included some of those as well.

The biggest and the best

8/3/36
Last night we went for the first time in the Chez Paree, the biggest and best nightclub here. Very elegant people, good dinner, excellent entertainment.

Chez Paree

The Chez Paree

Chez paree.damcimg

The most elegant people…

Best Club

Chez Paree



8/20/36
Sully sold her business. I would like to take over, but the hotel has to settle with her first.

Summer-Sully

Summer, 1936 — Sully’s Hat Shop


Summer Scenes – 1936

The rocks

Looking south toward Oak St. beach.

Rocks

Between North Ave. and Oak St.

Oak St

Looking North from Oak St Beach



Trudel and friend

Trudel and friend at the beach

Jackson Park

Picnic in Jackson Park

Bubbler

Trudel takes a cool drink


Trudel in the Sun

Trudel with Parasol.

http://wp.me/p1yA95-lK

 
4 Comments

Posted by on August 20, 1936 in Chicago, immigrant experience, Memoir

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

October 20, 1936 – Soon the election will be over.

October 20, 1936 – Soon  the election will be over.

While Leonard is busy with the election campaigns, Trudel goes to the movies.

Trudel continues to translate her letters diary style.

Movies, Movies!

10/20

 Schoenemädel

Poster from Schoenemädel (1933)


Last week saw a German movie, “Schwartzwald Mädel” (Black Forest Girl) pretty nice.

Anthony adverse

Anthony Adverse

Saturday saw “Anthony Adverse.” Very good.

http://youtu.be/c_OyZlSCpo4

Maybe Leonard will have more time after the election.

Never-ending election.

Never-ending election.

November 3 the election will be over and I am really looking forward to it. Maybe Leonard will have some more time to be with me.


For the past few months Trudel’s fiancé, has been actively involved in election campaigns in addition to his law practice. He ran for judge and lost, he campaigned for Len Small, who lost and then died, and he campaigned for Big Bill Thompson and the Progressive party. We will have to see what happens in that campaign.

In these short posts, we have to read between the lines.

Shortlink this page: http://wp.me/p1yA95-mS

 
1 Comment

Posted by on October 20, 1936 in Chicago, diary, immigrant experience, Memoir

 

Tags: ,