Judge, 1926-04-17 · page 17 of 36
Judge — April 17, 1926 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks the cliché phrase "Life is like that" by imagining an absurd revenge scenario. A character—described as an absentminded college professor—systematically attacks various creative professionals: cartoonists, humorists, playwrights, comedians, movie producers, and magazine publishers. His rationale appears to be retaliation for their constant use of the tired expression. The joke targets both the overuse of this vapid platitude in 1920s popular discourse and the entertainment industry's reliance on hackneyed observations. The accompanying text by Don Herold expands on this frustration, arguing that "life is like that" is meaningless—used authoritatively by people who aren't authorities. The illustration's chaotic violence humorously exaggerates what many readers likely felt: irritation at this ubiquitous, empty phrase repeated endlessly by writers and speakers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Revenge at Last H® crept into the art department and clubbed six cartoonists into insensibility. He ran through theeditorial rooms and shot sixteen alleged humorists. He bribed the cook at an actors’ club to put poison in the soup of seven playwrights and nine come- dians. He speeded through the city in his car and tossed bombs at the homes of a dozen movie producers and magazine publishers. “And now,” he’sighed buppily he strolled back to his room, “I think I'm even. I'm quite sure my revenge is complete. Ah! Lovely evening, Mr. Jones! Glorious eve- ning.” “Who's that old duck?” asked a man standing near Jones. Mr. Jones was surprised. “You must know him! He's the sisenteminded ‘college professor “Life is like that.” “Maybe so, but I am going to knock your block off for calling it to my attention.” . = you're always reading or hearing jokes about.” Chet Johnson “LIFE IS LIKE THAT”’ by Don Herold BELIEVE I will quit being im- Life is like trying to pick up a pressed when somebody remarks double mattress with one hand. of something: “Life is like that.” TI e pretty Russian, aren't Of course it is. Stencil” ys Let stencil (Continued on page 27) ittle.” Everyday there is something new by which I am no longer impressed, and it is hard to say where I will end, but life is like that. Every time I lose some illusion I must try my best to find some new one to take its place, and maybe I will come out all right after all. Yes, yes. If [ am not mistaken, it was the Russians who first discovered that life is like that. Well, they would. Their chief industry over there is morbidity. And because they knowsomuchabout morbidity they think they know a lot about life, and when a little child kills its mother and father in their cradles, they si ife is like that Of course it is. And again it isn’t. Iam no authority on life, but Lam apt to rise up and act like one if so many other people keep on speaking so authoritatively about it. The other day I came within an of writing a list of things that life is like—awful, direful, mooky things, such a Life is like carrying a basket of eggs through the Crazy House at Coney. comicbooks.com