Judge, 1920-02-21 · page 13 of 36
Judge — February 21, 1920 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This page presents a comedic one-act play titled "The Triangle Play"—a satirical take on the classic "love triangle" melodrama popular in early 20th-century tabloid theaters and pulp fiction. The setup: A man (Allen) has invited his mistress (Mrs. Smith) to dinner without realizing his wife (Grace) has also invited her—and Grace discovers the deception. The humor lies in the absurd domestic chaos that follows: Grace dramatically orders the mistress out, then—in the final twist—reveals she herself is Allen's *mistress*, not his wife. This "Tabloid Play for the Tired Business Man" mocks both sensationalist melodrama and the hypocrisy of infidelity. The joke targets wealthy men juggling multiple relationships while their various partners confront each other in drawing rooms. The satire suggests that such scandalous entanglements were common enough among the affluent to warrant comedic treatment in Judge magazine's satirical commentary on contemporary urban society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“T Can Thoroucuty Uxperstanpn Your Curtosiry ix Cominc Here’ Dramatic Cartoons or Tabloid Plays for the Tired Business Man By Kenxpaut Banninc Illustration by LaurEN Stout know that and he withdraws in confusion) VIL-THe TRIANGLE Play Time: Evening, just before dinner. Place: Drawing-room of a modern apartment. Characters: ALLEN, the Husband. Gracr Mrs. CHOLMONDELEY-SaiTHt THe Butter. (ALLEN and Grace are discovered in evening dress ing the arrival of their dinner guests. The BUTLER enters from the doorway at left) Tue Butter: Mrs. A. Cholmondeley-Smith! Grace: (In amazement) Mrs. Cholmondeley-Smith! (Turning to ALLEN) Allen! Can it be possible? Atten: (Visibly perturbed) My dear Grace. I had no idea she was to be here for dinner tonight, too! But apparently you invited her, or she would not have presumed to come Grace: (Horrified) I? Invite that woman to my home? Allen, you're mad! (In anger) It is impossible—utterly impossible! Really, Allen, this is the crowning insult; I'll settle it now once and for all. (To the Butler) Show her up! AtteN: But, my dear, you did invite her; I saw the invitation myself. She’s stopping with the McCurdy’s, and you dis tinctly asked them to bring along their guest. How could / await- 3 (His eyes fall upon their guest as she enters (Rising and facing Mrs. Sarr ominously) Leave my house—instantly. Mrs. Swit: But why? Grace: Because I cannot permit Allen’s wife and his mistress to be under the same roof! That’s why. Do I make my self perfectly plain, Mrs. Smith? (Mrs. Sarr turns ap: pealing to ALLEN who starts to explain but is interrupted) You needn't explain; go! 1 can thoroughly understand your curiosity in coming here; it was # clever trick you played to force an invitation. (With growing intensity) But I won't stand for it— Go! Go before I insult you publicly before my guests! You have no right here. It is hard enough for me that you exist at all, much less that you come here, to my own home, to flaunt your shameless- ness! James, show this woman out! Mrs, Sant: Allen, I must appeal to you— Grace: (Furiously) Go—before I throw you out! (With fright and in tears, Mrs. SauTH turns and flees. Grace gazes after her aflame with anger. She suddenly turn to ALLEN and melts into his arms, sobbing) Oh, Allen, how could you allow your wife to come into—our home! Curtain GRACE: