Judge, 1921-10-29 · page 27 of 36
Judge — October 29, 1921 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page comprises several brief humorous anecdotes mocking the early film industry's rapid expansion and cultural pretensions circa 1910s-1920s. **Key satire targets:** 1. **Scenario writing boom**: Rex Beach's anecdote mocks how lucrative (yet absurd) film scenario-writing had become—a poet submits four scenarios and receives nine rejections back, suggesting the industry's chaotic overproduction. 2. **Movie snobbery**: Jokes about "movie experts" criticizing films for lacking "continuity" and praising "realism" while missing obvious anachronisms (like the Coliseum appearing in modern Los Angeles footage). 3. **Motion picture scout clichés**: A waitress deflates the traveling salesman's predictable pickup line about discovering her for cinema—she doesn't believe the tired trope. 4. **Film quality**: The recurring joke that preliminary announcements promise greatness, but films are "always" disappointing. The cartoon "A Treat for the Blind" (bottom right) shows a well-dressed woman helping a blind beggar in stormy weather—the humor likely being either ironic commentary on charity or the visual incongruity of fashionable assistance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Why don’t you work, Leopold? Why are you so lazy? Why don’t you go into my father’s business and heip him? He works from morn till night and work is his only pleasure.” “Well—why do you want me to rob the old chap of his only pleasnre?” —Meggendorfer Blaetter (Munich). UNLOADING THEM — Rex Beach, who has forsaken the profession of novelist for the more lucrative one of scenario writing, said recently: “It is a common enough thing for a good man to dash off a scenario in a week or so and get $10,000 for it, but scenario writing, nevertheless, isn’t all beer and skittles. “There’s an English poet in our midst who recently decided to make his debut in the film world. The other day as I was lunching with him the bell rang and the servant brought in a bulky envelope. “The English poet examined it. Then he ground his teeth. “«This is what I call rubbing it in,” he snarled. ‘I sent the Star Film Corporation four scenarios last week, and blamed if they haven’t re- turned me_nine.’”—Los Angeles Times. SOMETHING WRoNG—“How do you like this vaudeville show?” “It lacks continuity,” declared the movie expert.—Louwisville Courier- Journal. OVERSIGHT, PROBABLY — “Wonder- ful realism in this movie.” “Yes?” “There’s the coliseum.” “Yes, and there’s a section of Los Angeles right behind it.”—Birming- ham Age-Herald. WISE GIRL—“Well, my dear,” said the brisk traveling man, “are you dreaming of being a motion picture star some day?” “No,” replied the fair waitress. “And you needn’t try to pull that old gag about being a motion picture scout. It won’t get you your ham and eggs a minute sooner.” —Birmingham Age-Herald. ALWAYS—*“‘Gosh, from the prelim- inary announcements we’re in for a great picture to-night.” “Don’t be foolish.” “Heh?” “That's the film fo They’re alw great. Courier-Jour next week. -Louisville FILM FEVER—Nurse—You were very naughty in church, Guy. Do you know where little boys and girls go to who don’t put their pennies in the collection box? Guy—Yes, nurse; to the pictures. —London Weekly Telegraph. J QUENA THE DEMON News HOUND — “Please tell me the names of your visitors,” said the editor of the Pe- tunia Argosy over the telephone. “How did you know we had visi- tors?” asked the social lioness. “Why, there’s some foreign clothes out on your line this morning,” re- plied the observing editor.—Kansas City Star. ISM LIVE DOIN’s IN JASPER—George Caylor was all smiles Sunday, as he was with his two best girls. Mr. Bill Pool and his two daughters attended preaching at the Cross Roads Sunday. We sympathize with Mrs. McGaha in the death of her old cat. It was 16 years old, and he was as one of the family.—Jasper (Ga.) Progress. PLEASE / HELP THE BLIND A TREAT FOR THE BLIND Stormy weather!—Lustige Blaetter (Berlin). comicbooks.com