Arnold Schleifer (1872-1950) was a Vienna-born restaurateur who leased and managed the Claremont Inn and Tavern-on-the Green in New York City for many years. In 1943, Arnold Schleifer and his nephews, Arthur Schleifer and Julius Berman, won the contract to operate the restaurant. They enlarged the dance floor and offered nightly music. A large outdoor patio offered dining al fresco. Trees were first wrapped in the well-known twinkling lights around the property and the Elm Tree Room was built to surround one of the city's classic American elms. The menu was designed to be elegant but affordable for New Yorkers. Luncheon and dinner offerings changed regularly. Arnold emigrated to the United States in 1903 and married Bertha in February 1937.
Arnold Schleifer traveled with his wife Bertha and his sister Hermine in Summer 1930. They returned on the SS Leviathan sailing from Cherbourg, France on September 14, 1930 and arriving in New York on September 30, 1930.
Views of a busy outdoor café, well-dressed couples walk by the camera. 1:25 Rooftop views of a city, probably in France. 1:38 Views of stone ramparts with an outlook over the city, a group of people standing at the ledge look at the camera. Views of a busy shopping district, signs on stores read “Friseur,” “Parfumerie” and “Grand Hotel.” Two men exit the hotel and get into a convertible parked outside. Views of a passing trolley from a balcony. 2:44 An assembly of small paddle boats, carrying flags and small trees come into a dock, views of the beach. 3:29 Diners sit at an outdoor restaurant patio on the dock. Views of the beach, divers jumping from a diving board in the open water, an outdoor shower along the shore. 4:48 A man balances atop a large clock. Views of more divers, a larger boat passes in front of the camera behind them. 5:24 Views of a busy street in a shopping district; the façade of one store reads “Montres Longines” and “soldes” or “sales.” Street trolleys, cars and people go by. Views of a sculpture and the ornate façade of a building. More views of the shopping district. 6:45 Presumably aboard the ship SS Leviathan in September 1930, a woman sitting on a lounge chair reads a book on the deck of a ship. Pan of the deck, people play games, look out over the water. CUs of people sitting in more lounge chairs, a woman applies makeup and smiles at the camera.
Vacationing in France; Ship SS Leviathan returns to NY