Judge — January 24, 1920 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Judge Magazine Cover, January 24, 1920 This cover illustrates the article "What Are the Wild 'Movies' Saying?" by James Montgomery Flagg. The illustration by Ralph Barton depicts a woman in a patriotic stars-and-stripes dress holding what appears to be a small dog or cherub figure against a starry night background. The caption reads "O, Say, Can You See?"—a reference to "The Star-Spangled Banner." The satire appears to critique American cinema of the early 1920s, specifically how films were communicating messages to the public during the post-WWI period. The patriotic imagery suggests the cartoon questions whether movies were promoting appropriate American values or controversial ideas. The date coincides with significant social upheaval and debates about cinema's cultural influence during this era.