Judge, 1925-03-28 · page 18 of 36
Judge — March 28, 1925 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects theatrical humor from circa 1925. The top cartoons lampoon Broadway shows: one features Al Jolson in "Big Boy" with a pun about "infernal complications" (wordplay on anatomy), and another references "Patience," likely Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta. The central article by George Jean Nathan announces Lee Shubert (a major theatrical producer) as an unwitting guest critic reviewing two musicals ("Sky High" and "Louie the Fourteenth"). The satire: Nathan watched Shubert's genuine reactions without his knowledge, claiming this reveals honest critical assessment—mocking both Shubert's authority and the theater world's pretensions. The bottom joke references Prohibition-era drinking culture: a character asks where to find alcohol on Broadway, receiving directions to "Gumbel Bros."—the only place you *can't* get a drink, implying it's a legitimate business, making the irony sharp during illegal alcohol sales.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
— aT 4 Al Jolson in “Big Boy” ‘ve got. infernal complica- tic You mean internal complica- Se a rod i; | tions. Infernal means the lower | “Well, that’s what I've got!” L. | 4 Hil Ii i} “Patience” Poet Bunthorn—Dow t you ever yearn? Patience—Yes, 1 yearn uy living. Lee Shubert Becomes JupGe's Critic hy George Jean Nathan OLLOWING the practice of one of the New York tabloid gazettes, [shall to-day let a guest critic review the two latest musie show pro- ky High” and “Louie the irteenth.” My guest eritie is Mr. Lee Shubert. although he doesn’t know it. Unbeknownst to the Mons. Lee, T kep! duections, to wit reactions to Unaware that he was be thus scrutinized, these re tions of our friend must hi heen wholly open and above- hoard and so will serve as an honest critical estimate on his part of the two exhibitions. (Continued on page 30) Palace—Holmes & Le Vere “Where can I get a drink?” “Do you know Broadway? Do you know Thirty-third street? Do you know Gumbel Bros. Well, that’s the only place you can't get it!” comicbooks.com