Trudel continued to translate her letters in an elliptical diary fashion, leaving us to wonder about the delicious (and mundane) details she omitted. But these were not uneventful times. Although there was time for movies, there were also worries about her family about what was happening in Europe as she mentions, cryptically, in the reference to “Mr. Warburg” and as her fiance Leonard mentioned in his letter to Trudel’s family earlier in the year.
Leonard J. Grossman on the Stump.
Leonard’s petition to become a judge in order to be on the ballot he has to have a certain amount of signatures from people who want him. He is running on the Republican Party. Everybody has to declare if they are going to vote Republican or Democratic. That will also be for the general election in November.
Candidate Grossman
Received a very unkind letter from Mr. Warburg. I had asked for advice how to bring Doddo here.
Trudel, Erna and Lotte – 1932
Trudel at Rose La Marque’s
Rose La Marque
I may move to [share an apartment with] Mrs. LaMarque in the Seneca Hotel where I work evenings and weekends. She is that wonderful dressmaker and the lady who got me the job in her hotel. We are having dinner together every night now.
Saw Charlie Chaplin in a very funny movie that took 5 years to make, Modern Times.
Modern Times
The reference to an “unkind” letter from “Mr. Warburg” is unexplained. Trudel must have written to a member of the famous Warburg family, also of Frankfurt, in hope of getting some assistance for her sister Lotte (Doddo). This letter from Leonard to Trudel’s family hints at the problem. Lotte eventually made it to the United States in 1941.
See this review of the book The Warburgs for more information.
Charlie Chaplain hadn’t produced a movie in five years at the time Modern Times was released.
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
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
Sully
Sully’s Hat Shop
Saw a nice movie “The Golden Arrow” with Bette Davis.
Sitting on the roof of the hotel and it is very hot. Leonard will go to Cleveland next week as a delegate of the “Townsend Party.”*
A birthday letter for Leonard arrived by Zeppelin punctually the day before the 4th.**
From Rose Marie
We saw a very good movie, “Rose Marie,” with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.
We have seen several other movies because the theatres are air conditioned, usually 72˚ Fahrenheit which is a blessing in this heat. We always go early before the admission price goes up. Sometimes I go with Trudel Batzner,*** Claire Samuels, or Rose La Marque and of course Leonard, if he can take the time.
Two Trudels
Wings over Everest
We saw “Wings over Everest.” Very interesting pictures from the first flight over Mount Everest.
Also “Love me Forever” with Grace Moore, and “Public Hero #1.” I dreamt all night about it. Next “Page Miss Glory” – nothing special. Then “Escape me Never” with Elisabeth Bergner. Next “Don’t Bet on Blondes.” Nice. Also “Dante’s Inferno” excellent, but I saw ghosts all night. Next “Frisco Kid” very exciting, but funny in 1 scene (for me) which played in the office of a stock broker. [Frisco Kid was funny to Trudel because her father was a stockbroker.] Then “Broadway Melody” very nice.
Love Me Forever
Page Miss Glory
Dante’s Inferno
Broadway Melody of 1936
Frisco Kid
Scroll down for clips from some of these movies.
Sometimes we also go to the free excellent concerts in the park right by the lake.
Petrillo Band Shell
Letter from Leonard typewritten on his office letterhead
July 11, 1936
Dear Father Adler, Lottie and Erna:
Many thanks for your lovely birthday letters which arrived via Zeppelin July 3rd. Both Trudel dear and I enjoyed them. Soon after your letter arrived Trudel came into the office, and we read your letters together. At midnight, just as July 4th began, Trudel gave me the loveliest fountain pen. Said she was sorry she could not give me more. It was enough, with her beautiful love. Can you imagine my surprise on arriving home to find a whole table covered with presents from our “Goldkind”?
There was an Angel Food Cake, with 45 on it and 15 candles and 45 flags. It tasted as good as it looked. A lovely belt, handkerchiefs, cigar holder, pajamas, pipe tobacco, and just lots of other lovely gifts, all from darling “Drekbalch”**** But I don’t think that last name fits Trudelchen. Received a birthday card from Henny that was very clever, wires and letters from friends, and we had a lovely birthday dinner at L’Alglon. It is hot here, very hot. We jumped in the lake for a swim last night. Trudel looks stunning in her new and pretty dresses, but like the Goddess Venus in her bathing suit, and she swims like Neptune’s daughter. You know Neptune was the old God of the Sea.
Trudel and Leonard
Am leaving the city for one week, and before going wanted this letter to go on to you, thanking you from the bottom of my heart, not only for the letters you each so lovingly sent me, but also for the flower from your family garden, which is the flower of my heart and life, my future wife, Trudel. And this year we will be wed. There is much more to write, but Trudel dear tells me she has written you. She is coming down for the theater now, so I must get ready for her. The air is ice cooled on hot days in our theaters, so it is a good place to spend a hot night.
With a heart full of love and thanks to each of you, in which my precious Trudel joins,
Affectionately your son and brother
Leonard.
[Handwritten on reverse:]
Dear Sisters:
Trudel and I are in the Normandie Inn at 1 a.m. Sunday – a.m. is Sunday morning – that is a.m. means morning – after midnight from the Latin ante-meridians.
I just had to open our letter to you for 2 reasons. First each of you are one of the reasons each because your English letters to me were priceless and such letters in English deserve a special thank you. Then there were some wonderful presents Trudel gave me – too many to mention but I must not be silent about the 1) constitution of the United States, 2) the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, the first birthday of our country, 3) President Lincoln’s great Gettysburg Address written in his own handwriting – all beautifully framed for 2 large panels on my office wall – a glorious set of gifts by themselves. And again – a hug and a kiss to each of you for your loving thoughtfulness in writing English.
Devotedly your brother,
Leonard
Notes
Scroll below these notes to find links to clips, trailers and complete movies of some of the films mentioned above.
*Dr. Francis Townsend, a soft-spoken doctor with a senior citizens following, preached the Depression could be ended by giving government pensions to people over 60, thus freeing up jobs for unemployed young people. Unfortunately he was eventually co-opted by the infamous Father Charles Coughlin and Gerlald M. K. Smith in their campaign against President Roosevelt’s reelection. See Francis Townsend – The Man with a Plan on the Pardon Power blog, and Where Left Meets Right, by Ron Grossman.
**Leonard’s Birthday was July 4.
***This is Trudel’s first reference to Trudel Nachman, who became her closest and lifelong friend. Sadly, there is no account of how they met.
****”Drekbalch” is what is typed in my father’s letter. Perhaps Trudel used the term to refer humorously to herself or it is a very odd typo. I can’t find a translation.
YouTubes and clips from some of the movies Trudel saw
Rose Marie with Janette MacDonald and and Nelson Eddy
YouTube of the full length film.
Wings over Everest
News clip about the 80th anniversary of Wings Over Everest, with scene from original film.
Trailer for Public Hero #1 Click image.
Public Hero #1
Escape Me Never 1935
Dante’s Inferno
scene from the 1935 film “Dante’s Inferno,” with Spencer Tracy and Claire Trevor. For more information, visit moviedavid.blogspot.com!
September 1936 was a busy month for Trudel. She has her dream – a shop of her own. Her notes for September include one letter, but a note dated October 1, 1936 is really about September as well, so I am including them in one post.
Remember to click on the photos. Most will take you to full-size versions of the images.
Leonard Grossman
One of Trudel’s Sons.
September 6, 1936 – Trudel Hats
I have moved to 195 E Chestnut St and combined my own hat shop, living room and bed room together.
Trudel Working
Trudel’s All-in-One: Shop and Room
Triple Self-Portrait
Trudel Hats on Chestnut
Tomorrow, Labor Day, we are planning to go to Riverview Park, an amusement park and expect about 50,000 people if the weather is nice, Leonard will preside the first half of the day since it is all Republican.
Aunt Henny is planning to stay in Florida.
October 1, 1936- Riverview political rally, and a “lunch break” on Yom Kippur.
Had trouble getting your letter, dear Papa, since I was not home when they tried to deliver it at my apartment and I had no identification with me when I went to the Post Office to pick it up. I did finally get it.
Temple Sholom
Thanks for stamps and prayer book for Mrs. Samuel. On Yom Kippur I went to a German service, using the prayer book same as West End Synagogue [in Frankfurt]. Only, the songs’ melodies were different and they had 2 ½ hours lunch break. I met Kurt Heichelheim who is here only 2 weeks and very happy to see one person he knew.
On Labor Day, 9/7, was again Thompson Day in Riverview Park. All big Republicans. Leonard introduced all the candidates from noon until 6:00 pm in bright sunshine, which he likes.
This letter was written a couple of days after Thanksgiving, 1936, which was earlier that year. But because it mentions Thanksgiving and has exciting news, I am taking the liberty of posting it today. Trudel did give her family a few days more warning than it seems.
Devonshire Hotel
11/23/1936 Good news: Last night we decided to get married on Saturday the 5th. No big fuss, just by a judge, a civil wedding. As long as I have no family here I thought it was ridiculous to have a big reception and Leonard agreed with me.
To start I will move into the Devonshire Hotel with Leonard. I will keep my business for the time being.
Trudel, Leonard, Henny and her sister.
Thursday we had an excellent Thanksgiving dinner at Weils.
Thanksgiving, 1936
The following story appeared in a Chicago paper the next week.
Headline News
For the story behind the headline see Trudel’s letter dated August 31, 1935 .
