Judge, 1917-02-17 · page 7 of 28
Judge — February 17, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical story about Jewish immigrants (Markowitz and Henry) arguing about entertainment values. Markowitz, a "skirt manufacturer" (garment industry worker), represents the nouveau riche who craves musical comedies and entertainment spectacle, while Henry advocates for free cultural pursuits like walks in Central Park. The humor targets Markowitz's conspicuous consumption and lack of sophistication: he grudgingly pays inflated prices from a scalper, tips lavishly at the theatre, and loudly enjoys himself during the show—violating genteel norms. The caption joke about golf-playing and breath appears unrelated, suggesting a separate cartoon. The satire reflects turn-of-century class anxieties about immigrants' spending habits and cultural assimilation, portraying Markowitz as the "prodigal" who wastefully throws money at entertainment rather than embrace restraint or self-improvement.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
brother-in-law’s harangue. “Henry, I ask you, what's a theatre, a night school? \ libry? I can loin and loin and loin without costing me a penny! But when I want to enjoy myself, and pay good money to nt to see see a show, I w something /ebedi and songs and goils— not big speeches with long faces. I can hear them by Madison Square, for notting. I want to see life and fun and action like by them musical comedies with ginger and paprika. To tell the truth, I wouldn’t mind secing one this afternoon.” “And I,” contended Henry, “would much better take a walk around Central Park. I wouldn’t pay a nickel for the best goil-music show in the whole United States!” “How do you know you don’t like them?” challenged Markowitz. “I bet you ain’t seen more than two musical shows in your whole life! I'll treat you to one right now! Even if it is near three we wouldn’t- miss much by a “You wouldn’t miss much, if we don’t go at all,” suggested Henry, half willingly. Heright, we'll go; it’s on me. Hen come on and hurry up!” urged Marko- wit “Let’s go and see the show what’s a winner in the same theatre THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL what you was talking about, where your highbrows got it in the neck. Come let’s get amove on!” And Markowitz, fol- lowed by Henry, hastened out of the res- taurant, into the subway, which soon landed them a couple of blocks from their destination. they were rushing towards the theatre they were accosted by a neatly dressed young man who was holding a couple of theatre tickets half concealed in the palm of his left hand. “Gents,” he whispered to them, con- fidentially, “do you want two tick for the show?” “No, we're just out for a walk,” re- plied Markowitz, in an . uninterested tone. “It’s late, and I'll give them to you for cost ice,” offered the cager re for said No, I don’t musical shows,” Markowitz continuing his walk. ake them for half price,” pleaded the la breaking strange “Alleright, I'll gi a show,” retorted skirt manufacturer as he exchanged a dollar bill for two dollar seats in the balcony. eyou the Phyllis shouted Does he golf much? Markowitz to Henry as they were enter- ing the theatre. “At last I got the best from them cutthroats.” Sha! sha! Keep quiet!” remon- strated Henry as his brother-iti-law con- tinued chuckling to himself, while being shown toa couple of choice seats. “Don’t you see they’re playing?” “Yes, but I can’t hear them,” joshed Markowitz who couldn’t suppress his high spirits. “Say, usher, give me a programme!” “They’re ten cents,” murmured the uniformed attendant. “Alleright, I. don’t care, quarter and keep the change,” here’s a gurgled Rosalind—A lot—one can always smell it on his breath! comicbooks.com