Judge, 1924-05-31 · page 9 of 36
Judge — May 31, 1924 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Sex Appeal in 1824": A Satire on Jazz-Age Theater This page satirizes contemporary Broadway productions and popular entertainment. The cartoon depicts a theatrical scene titled "Sex Appeal in 1824"—a deliberate anachronism mocking modern shows that rely on spectacle and sensuality rather than substance. The accompanying text by Newman Levy describes a frivolous musical with minimal plot: two acts featuring high-priced imported dancers, a male lead in Spanish costume (absurdly fashioned after actor Rudolph Valentino), and minimal narrative coherence. The "dreamy waltz" and jazz song "I Got the Blues" exemplify the era's popular music. The satire targets 1920s theater's emphasis on visual appeal, exotic costumes, and jazzy entertainment over meaningful storytelling. By setting this vapid show in "1824," Judge ridicules how modern productions package sexuality and novelty as art—suggesting timeless human vanity rather than genuine theatrical innovation. The sidebar advertisements mocking false sales claims reinforce themes of commercial deception.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
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