Judge — March 22, 1919 — page 23: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page satirizes 1920s entertainment trends, particularly the marketing of young female performers with minimal talent. The central scene depicts what appears to be a theatrical performance being hyped despite obvious mediocrity. Key targets include: **"Nonette"** - A violinist-singer character mocked as a "vamp" (seductress) whose musical abilities are questionable despite her showiness. **Ruth Cloos** - Ridiculed for learning to toe-dance before she could walk, suggesting performers were being promoted based on youth/novelty rather than genuine skill. **William Kent** - Appears to be a real performer whose mediocre abilities are sarcastically compared favorably to these women. The phrase "You can't alarm me, Big Ben!" and references to "t.b.m." (unclear abbreviation) suggest commentary on overhyped entertainment and manufactured celebrity. The overall joke: the entertainment industry promotes untalented girls as "sweethearts," banking on visual appeal over actual artistic merit.