Judge, 1925-12-26 · page 13 of 37
Judge — December 26, 1925 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the generation gap and changing attitudes toward Christmas traditions circa the 1920s-30s. **Main Cartoon (top):** Two Street Santas discuss their work. One asks what the other will do "when you're through with this racket"—the reply, "I haven't a thing on till I be a Eastern bunny," treats Santa as a temporary seasonal job, degrading the figure to mere commercial employment rather than beloved tradition. **Scene II dialogue:** Young children Junior (age 10) and Ellen (age 9) cynically discuss the Christmas morning charade. Junior dismisses Santa belief as outdated "Mid-Victorian" superstition incompatible with modern study. Ellen appeals to parental sentiment—their parents *need* to believe the children still believe. The satire targets precocious, intellectually arrogant children who've lost childhood wonder, yet must perform enthusiasm to spare their parents' feelings. **Lower cartoon:** A Christmas party scene mocking adults clinging to "old-fashioned conventions." The overall message: Modern youth view Santa and traditions as quaint nonsense, while parents desperately cling to comforting illusions about childhood innocence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
——— Scene IL The bedroom of the two younger Grinleighs at about the same hour. Ellen (aged nine)—Hurry up and put out that reading light, Junior. I don’t care if you have got a new theory to combat the Humanistic Doctrine—we' ve got to get somesleep to-night or we won’t wake up in time to greet the family at their Christmas tree in the morning. And you know how they depend on that. As though my studies aren’t more important than a Mid-Victorian be- lief in some patristic Santa Claus character. Icertainly wish we didn’t have to go through with this sham every year. Personally, I’d much rather sleep to-morrow morning. Ellen—Well, do you think I’m very enthusiastic about getting up an hour earlier than usual on a holi- day? But you know how mother and dad look forward to it every year. They’ve been talking about Santa Claus for weeks now and it would simply break their hearts if we didn’t pretend to keep up their illusion. Junior—Oh, I suppose you're right. Our forebears started the arrangement and we might as well pander to the conventions. After all, I’m satisfied when I see the joy it gives the seniors. Richard Wallace Christmas party.” Junior (aged ten)—GreatJehovah! _ Mother still insists on observing the old-fashioned conventions at a Srreer Santa Cxaus (on left)—What’re you goin’ to do when you're through with this racket? “I haven’t a thing on till I be a Eastern bunny.” ale Our Christmas Story for the Little Ones ote: set Chapter 1—Once upon a time a 2 little boy declared he didn’t believe in Santa Claus. To punish him his parents filled his stockings with coal. Chapter 2—That same little boy, now grown up, has been proclaiming loudly for the last week that he doesn’t believe in Santa Claus. You are cordially invited to our next blowout. JUDGE pays $5 for each one printed. At Christmastime “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” One day Jack said to Jill And she answered, “It is presents - Makes the heart grow fonder still.” comicbooks.com