Judge, 1921-04-09 · page 7 of 32
Judge — April 9, 1921 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Analysis: Judge Magazine Satire on "Blue Laws" This page satirizes **Prohibition-era "Blue Laws"**—strict Sunday regulations that banned alcohol, gambling, entertainment, and various leisure activities. The content attacks these laws as puritanical and oppressive. **Key elements:** - **"The Prospective Sunday"** poem mocks the restrictions: no cards, cigarettes, billiards, alcohol, vamps, short skirts, or sports—all presented as absurdly excessive constraints on personal freedom. - **"Mr. Constantly Stewed Fish"** character represents the drinker/bon vivant fleeing an "intolerant land," disapproving of such restrictions. - **The Secret Service agent cartoon** depicts a federal official literally arresting parishioners for "getting entirely too much fun" on Sunday—illustrating how invasively the laws were enforced. - **"Blue Sundae" joke** plays on the color "blue" connecting to both the laws and a new ice cream flavor, suggesting commercial innovation despite restrictions. The satire presents Blue Laws as joyless, freedom-crushing, and absurdly enforced—reflecting widespread public frustration with Prohibition-era moral legislation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SS. “Wait!” Miss Huckett pleaded. but Mr. Constantly Stewed Fish had begun to fade into the atmosphere. “Blue laws and no rum!” he whined. * A sewed-up Sunday and no hard cider! L stood them when I could have the rum, but——" “Oh, please wait!” beg Huckett. “You were going to be such a help to me. I was going to be paid fifty dollars every time you spoke in public. Please——" But Mr. Constantly Stewed Fish had We could only fainter faded completely away hear his growing fainter voice no! no!” we heard him say ‘Tm not. ge to stay in such an intolerant — 1. I'm going back Drown by to I did not cateh that last word of the nce. TI hope it was “heavy * but somehow I rather doubt it The Prospective Sunday By La Toucur Haxcocn VERYTHING in view Is one color—bluc! All is bitter rue Blue, and blue, and blue! Can't have cards or cigarettes! Can't play billiards or make bets! Can't have vamps, or smoke cigars! n’t have hootch, saloons, or bars! Can't have flirting. v't ride out with sweet sixteen! Can't wear skirts so very short! Can't have any kind of sport Can't—I'm off, if this comes t To fresh fields and pastures new! Why this sad ado Over blue, and blue? T'll say so—won’t you?— Pooh, and pooh, and pooh! Ganosea OL Res Wis Goop Fetrows Ger Toceturr A Cl * That was a beautiful sermon, Doctor,” said a fair member of the flock as she shook hands with the Pastor after the morning service. “I thoroughly enjoyed every word of it.” “Thank you.” replied the Pastor with a smile. “It is indeed a pleasure to preach to such an appreciative listener.” \t this moment, a burly, red-faced man who had been lurking in the background stepped forward and turned back the lapel of his coat, exhibiting a badge of the U.S, Secret Service, “Ll have to trouble you two to come along with me,” he commanded sternly, “You're getting entirely too much fun out of the Sabbath.” ar Case Coming? Under the blue laws Sunday becomes. not a day of rest, but of arrest Will It Sell? said the soda clerk proudly f violet ice cream and serve it with crushed “T've invented a new one, Boss,’ “You take a dab blueberries on top “Tt sounds gooe to call it?” “Why ‘admitted the boss. “What are you going t Blue Sundae, of course.” Denen by Pave Tue Basisument or Beauty, 7 Grace ano Lavenre comicbooks.com