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In Loving Memory of: Andrew & Pearl Manzie It was summertime in Chicago, IL 1931, the era of an end to World War II, with the most characteristic North American fashion trend in the 1930's. The style was attention at the arm, with butterfly sleeves and banjo sleeves, and exaggerated shoulder pads for both men and women by the 1940's. Suntans called "Sunburns" at the time became fashionable in the early 1930's, along with travel to the resorts along the east coast of Florida where one could acquire a tan, leading to white dinner jackets for men. The 1930's also marked the Golden Age of Hollywood, which lasted through the 1940's. Chicago, Illinois has a long history of organized crime and was famously home to the American Mafia figure Al Capone, who was a friend to my Grandfather, Andrew Manzie. In this short clip, you will see pictures from our family collection that my Grandfather gave me before he passed away. My Grandparents Andrew & Pearl Manzie, each in their own way told me their true life experiences of what it was like back in the days of the 1930's and 40's, a simpler time filled with the hard knocks of the Rival gangs that threw dynamite into the others' cabs in what became Chicago's, "Taxi Wars". The Bank Robberies and all the gang wars that seemed to keep Chicago's Men in Blue on their toes. By 1930, President Herbert Hoover's work on behalf of Chicago's "Al Capone" problem began to "get legs." A Washington, D.C., special prosecutor, Dwight H. Green, was dispatched to Chicago to "send Chicago gangsters to prison," specifically Al Capone. It was a time of Bootleggers and Gambling, Paul Ricca worked as a Waiter at my Grandfathers Restaurant at the time and acquired the nickname "The Waiter". By 1933-1934 The World's Fair kicked off and "A Century of Progress" that was celebrated in a grand fashion. I've been told by my Aunt Barbara, that I've been born into a "Royal Italian Family" that's had it's share of ups and downs. As a child, I didn't really realize just who I was crossing paths with, they were the most notorious underworld figures and Celebrities in the world at the time, but as a kid, one just thinks, all families were like this. Only when I grew up did I realize just who they all were and the impact each one had on the world. Now looking up to all my family members, I am proud to say that I respect the strength and courage that each one possessed, in a time when Fame, Wealth, Publicity and Power could create a dangerous illusion that would eventually strike some down, like a domino effect in tragedy.
Each one had a unique personality and story of their own and each one talked to me about their lives and thanked me with love and stories of their past before they died. As they left this life, I promised each one I would write their story, portray the truth from my heart. To know them is to love them. When I look down the family tree, I see a whole new generation of strength and I know somehow my past family members are living on it's in their blood. I have an amazing true story to tell, the story of what it was like growing up around them. Including the "Legendary Barbara McNair", who grew up in a time period full of prejudisem, which taught me the many different beliefs of people and how the general public is lead by the press which seems to make people judge without knowing the true facts. Most importantly, the love of her life, my Uncle "Frederick Manzie" who's life ended all too soon, and the effect his murder had on her and our family. This is a true forty year old untold Hollywood story with unsolved mystery, that has been silenced, which is about to be broken. Silence Broken - A Work in Progress - By: John "Manzie" Thomas
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jthomas@TECaid.com with questions or comments about this web site.
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