Judge — December 11, 1920 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "When Santa Claus Was Pinched" This December 1920 Judge cartoon satirizes the arrest of someone dressed as or associated with Santa Claus. The illustration shows a woman confronting a man in an ornate coat—likely depicting a arrest or legal confrontation scenario. The title's wordplay on "pinched" (slang for arrested) suggests commentary on holiday-season law enforcement. Given the 1920 date, this likely references Prohibition enforcement or holiday-related arrests that were topical during early Prohibition era. The caption "The gladdest time of all the year" is ironic, contrasting Christmas cheer with the arrest depicted. The cartoon appears to critique either overzealous law enforcement during the holidays or social disruption caused by Prohibition policies during what should be a joyful season. The specific figures remain unclear without additional context.