Judge — November 10, 1923 — page 14: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a theater review column by cartoonist Ralph Barton featuring two Broadway productions: **Top cartoon**: Depicts a scene from "Tarnish" at the Belmont Theatre, starring Fania Marinoff, Tom Powers, and Ann Harding. Barton's commentary suggests the play presents an interesting contrast—the "immaculate blonde of the present" (likely representing modern morality) proves nearly as compelling as the "wicked brunette of the past" (representing older, more scandalous female archetypes). **Bottom cartoon**: Shows "The Nervous Wreck" at the Sam H. Harris Theatre with Otto Kruger and June Walker. The joke is visual satire: the scene depicts chaotic action (explosions, weapons, mayhem), while Barton mockingly observes that a bewildered audience member is only "beginning to understand the title"—the farcical noise and confusion finally makes sense. Both cartoons use exaggerated caricature typical of 1920s satirical illustration to humorously critique contemporary theater productions.