Judge, 1907-10-19 · page 16 of 16
Judge — October 19, 1907 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous six-panel comic strip, not political satire. It depicts child characters ("Little Johnny" and "the Teds"—anthropomorphic teddy bears) attending a theatrical performance where an actor performs as a large teddy bear ("Man-Bear"). The joke centers on the bears sneaking backstage and mimicking the performer's actions while he performs, causing the audience to laugh. The performer initially doesn't realize what's happening until he turns around mid-act and sees them copying him. The story concludes with the showman good-naturedly thanking them, and the audience rewarding the bears. The strip reflects early 20th-century entertainment culture and the popularity of teddy bears (then a relatively recent toy craze inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt). It's a lighthearted children's story about mischief and performance, with an advertisement at the bottom promoting the comic as an available book collection.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
uae LITTLE JOHNNY AND THE TEDDY BEARS. THEY GO TO SEE AN ACTOR PERFORMING AS A TEDDY BEAR AND TAKE A MAND IN THE SHOW. 1, John and the Teds thought they would go 2. John bought a bo: Down town to-day and see a show. Aesce the Mare Bear faker goat At one of the theatres, as they passed by, Teds almost jumped out of thelr skin This great big show-bili caught their eye. When the huge fellow came walking in. 4. What Mr. Man-Bear tries to do The Teds, behind his back, do, too. The audience thinks it’s screamingly funny, And Man-Bear feels he’s earning his money. 3. And now, before Man-Bear ’s half done, The Teds decide they'll have some fun. You see the little imps tiptoe To get around behind the show. 5. As'softly as the falling snow 6. And now the showman comes out front The Teddies through their antics go: And thanks them for their funny ** stunt.”” And Mr. Man-Bear ‘s almost sick The audience shouts and stamps until ‘When he looks round and sees the trick. He also gives them a nice bill. COPYRIGHT 1907 BY JUDGE COMPAMY, PUBLISHERS, 225 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK. ‘ts now ready I» handsome book-form, Price, 60 cents. For ‘The Piret Series of the adventures of “Little Johnny and the Teddy Bears 225 Fourth Avenur, New York. anle by book-dealers every where, or sent postpaid upon receipt of price by Judge Company, comicbooks.com