Judge, 1922-12-16 · page 20 of 36
Judge — December 16, 1922 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Judge* magazine presents theatrical tributes disguised as holiday greetings. The central image shows an elegant stage set—likely designed by **Joseph Urban**, a renowned set designer of the era, referenced for his innovative "bag of tricks" and backdrop work. The page honors three performers: **John McCormack**, an Irish tenor praised for his "sweet voice"; **Ethel Barrymore**, celebrated as the ideal gift actress; and implicitly Urban himself for creating the theatrical environment. The opening text jokes that Urban may be "urban" in lifestyle but never truly "urbanal" (a play on words). The phrase "Please Pass the Wassail" sets a festive, theatrical tone—wassail being a traditional holiday drink. The satire is gentle holiday praise for theater world figures, typical of *Judge*'s sophisticated entertainment coverage during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Please Pass the Wassail He may be Urban. He very often is; but never urbanal. An Urban apart- ment in a_sub- urban neighbor- hood. bi To Joseph Urban, whose bag of tricks is no less complete than that of Santa Claus, and whose use of them has made a headliner of the old back- drop. To the Minstrel Boy of Athlone, John McCormack, whose sweet voice lifts us | above the deadly even } tenor of our way and hitches our flivvers to the Star of Bethle- hem. To the talented and beautiful American actress, Ethel Barrymore, who, at this time of the year, reminds us that she is that perfect gift: “Just what we wanted,”