Judge, 1924-12-06 · page 18 of 36
Judge — December 6, 1924 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Judge magazine features theatrical vignettes and drama criticism. The top section shows brief comic scenes from popular Broadway shows ("Annie Dear," "Follies," "The Grab Bag") with witty dialogue—typical Judge humor mocking social pretensions and romantic entanglements. The main article, "The Kahn-Game" by George Jean Nathan, satirizes **Otto Kahn**, a wealthy Wall Street financier and arts patron. Nathan criticizes Kahn for dominating theatrical events he sponsors, overshadowing the actual performers and artists. The critique suggests Kahn uses his financial power to self-aggrandize rather than genuinely support art—he throws lavish banquets where he occupies the seat of honor rather than letting visiting artists receive proper credit. Nathan's tone is mordantly ironic: Kahn is "estimable" but needs to stop being a "marimba band" (noise-maker) and let the actual talent shine. It's satire about wealthy patrons' ego versus genuine artistic patronage.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ernest Truex in “Annie Dear™ Dolly—"1 could be married to-morrow nted to live in New Rochelle,” “What are you holding out for if Ly Yonkers?” THE KAHN-GAME by George Jean Nathan I c Is pretty hard to make out whether it irmin Gemier who appeare here recently at the Jolson The whether it was Otto Kahn. enough, the French actor was visible on the stage of the theater in question, but all the noise seemed to come from the Wall Street actor. The latter, of whom it has been said that his “We passed your house last night.” “Thanks!” Ed Wynn in “The Grab Bag” chest is a mass of bruises from throwing roses at himself, contrived to get him- self in front of Gemier to such a degree that the guest from the Odeon was almost. completely effaced. On the night of Gemier’s first appearance in America, indeed, about the only thing that Mr. Kalm didn’t take upon him- self was the distribution of the pro- grams and the checking of the coats. Otherwise, he gave very nearly the whole show. This Mr. Kahn is, in certain’ re- spects, an estimable fellow, but it Follies” ny more down to steady drinking.” be privileged a critie of the to wish that he could per- suade himself to remain a trifle in the background occasionally and let the artists whom his money imports get a bit of the credit themselves. I don’t ask Mr. Kahn to be a shrinking violet, but I do ask him with all the velvety eloquence at my command to be less the marimba band. If he gets considerable personal satisfaction out of the banquets which he gives for cach of these visiting artists, at which banquets he himself occupies the seat of Will Rogers and Ann Pennington r much of Prohi- , the country has just settled hon whil and foot criti and brok gets suck But love its agai Dbehi a SSD comicbooks.com