Judge — September 20, 1924 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# The Last "Shows" of Summer This September 1924 *Judge* cover satirizes the end-of-summer beach season. The image shows four women in bathing suits at a beach, with the caption "The Last 'Shows' of Summer"—a pun on theatrical "shows" and the display of swimmers' bodies. The satire targets the fashion and social customs of the 1920s Jazz Age. Women's bathing attire had become increasingly revealing compared to Victorian-era standards, which some found scandalous. The word "shows" suggests these beach gatherings functioned as public spectacles where women's swimwear (and bodies) were prominently displayed. The cartoon mocks both the exhibitionism of beachgoers and society's fascination with observing summer fashion trends before the season ended.