Judge, 1925-02-14 · page 36 of 36
Judge — February 14, 1925 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily an **advertisement disguised as editorial content** for Arthur Murray's dance lessons, a common marketing technique in early 20th-century magazines. The "story" follows a socially awkward man ("a back number," slang for someone out of fashion) rejected by dancing partners at social clubs. Through Arthur Murray's free five-lesson course (practiced at home with a mirror), he transforms into a confident dancer, impressing his peers at the next dance. **The satire/pitch:** The piece mocks social anxiety and class consciousness around dance ability while selling the fantasy of instant self-improvement. The accompanying photograph shows a posed dancing couple, presumably demonstrating Murray's methods. **Context for modern readers:** Dancing skill directly determined social status and romantic prospects in this era. The appeal was democratizing—expensive private lessons ($10 per session) were replaced with free mail-order instruction, suggesting anyone could become socially acceptable through modest effort. This is advertisement-as-narrative, exploiting insecurity to drive business.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
me! By a Former Wallflower NEVER was much of a dancer. But when our club gave a dance, I couldn’t very well stay away. Besides—how could I ever learn to dance if I didn’t get some experience? I discovered, though, that no one wanted to dance with me. The boys knew I was a poor dancer and they warned the girls to keep away from me. “Jim?” I heard one of the boys say. “Oh, Jim’s all right, but he doesn’t know a waltz from a fox-trot.” The girls laughed. It made me want to chuck it all and never go to another dance again. But something within me rebelled. My pride, pernare _“Show them you can do it!’ it whispered. “Show them you can dance as well as they But how? I asked my- self. Treally couldn't dance. [had no confidence in myself. I certainly couldn’t go to a dancing school, and I couldn’t afford a private teacher. What could I do? Suddenly I had an idea. Yes, I'd do it! I'd astound them! I'd be- come the best dancer of them all! Popular Overnight That evening I wrote to Arthur Murray, world-famous dancing mas- ter. I knew that he charged $10.00 a lesson in his studio, but I knew also that he had five lessons in dancing that he offered free. I asked him to send these five lessons to me. When they came, I followed the simple directions and diagrams, ractising before a mirror. Before I knew it, [ had mastered a fascinating fox-trot step! I learned how to follow, how to lead, how to be per- fectly at ease and have poise of How I Found a Shor to Popularity When they called me a back number something within me rebelled. My pride perhaps. Then it dawned upon At first I didn’t believe that anyone could become popular quick- ly. And yet, here’s what happened. manner in the ballroom. It was wonderful! — In one evening I learned to dance. And then I astounded everyone! I went to a dance (no one expected me to accept the invi- tation) and I deliber- ately asked the best dancer there to be my partner. It was a fox- trot. We began to dance, and others stopped to watch us. They ex- pected me to be the goat | again—but they were dis- i appointed. We danced that fox- trot perfectly together. We did all the latest steps like professionals. I was absolutely at ease, never felt so comfortable and poised before. It was wonderful! = They'll never laugh at my dan- cing again. Five Dancing Lessons FREE Arthur Murray will be glad to send his five free lessons to anyone who is interested in be- coming an accom- plished dancer. These lessons prove better than anything he can say that through his method anyone can learn to dance at home, without music and without a partner. These lessons teach you how to lead and follow, how to waltz and fox-trot, how to have poise and confidence. Send for them to-day they are yours to keep without obligation. This coupon brings them promptly. ARTHUR MURRAY Studio 425 290 Broadway, N. Y. Posed by Elna Murphy Peihé Baim Star” ant Arthur Murray ARTHUR MURRAY, Studio 425 PRESS OF WILLIAM GREEN, NEW TORK comicbooks.com