Judge, 1926-12-11 · page 7 of 36
Judge — December 11, 1926 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Page: "The Hero" This page satirizes a sensational 1931 murder trial (the " chi" murder case, per the caption). The large illustration depicts a courtroom scene with massive crowds—depicting how such trials became public spectacles with intense media coverage. The accompanying story "The Hero" mocks how the public romanticizes criminals and trial participants. A young man rescues a millionaire's drowning daughter, and the grateful father offers reward money. However, the "hero" dismissively rejects the offer, claiming he "can't even swim" and merely assaulted the girl. The satire suggests the public creates false heroic narratives around ordinary or dubious figures when trials and rescue stories capture attention. The piece critiques both sensationalized justice and celebrity culture's distortion of reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Eth 1 The Hero A*™” the cheers of the thrilled multitude the hero staggered ashore, bearing in his strong arms the limp form of the beautiful and half- drowned girl. Gently he laid her on the warm Florida sands and stood unsteadily, his great chest heaving, water dripping from bronzed shoul- ders, a shock of hair half covering his handsome, finely chiseled features. It had been a desperate struggle but he had won—won against heavy odds. He passed his hand over his eyes and endeavored to clear the dizziness from his brain. The crowd surrounded them. The girl opened her eyes and gazed up into the hand- Words formed on her bruised lips. The crowd pressed closer. some face of her rescuer. “My hero,” the girl murmured. He looked down and met her smile, his face emotionless, his breath com- ing and going with great sobs. The eager crowd pressed still closer. Here was romance—romance such as they 10.0 O & w 931—Logical evolution of the “big” murder trial. MEE TERE CR AAEM $1,200,000. Everybody happy. had seen heretofore only in the movies or read about in books. Suddenly there was a commotion R 4 “Was your European trip a suc- cess?” “No, a flop—it's no fun to drink right out in the open like that!” Promotion by Tex Rickard. Daily “Gate,” and a well-dressed, middle-aged man fought his way into the small circle. “Mr. Watt, the radio millionaire,” some one breathed. The crowd hushed. There were tears in the millionaire’s eyes as he grasped the hero’s hand. “Young man,” he said, brokenly, “TI saw you rescue my daughter! Anything I have is yours! Any- thing! Name your own reward!” He looked down at his beautiful daughter. She was gazing rap- turously at the hero. There was a moment of complete silence; then the hero shook his head violently as the situation burst clearly upon him. Slowly he pointed an unsteady finger at the beautiful girl and spoke. “This dame,” he said in a voice that cracked abs onto me neck, an’ I can’t ev im! I smacks her in the pan, but she won’t leggo so I drug her in!” Wearily he turned to the millionaire, “What the h—I gimme a coupla thousan’ bucks an’ I won't say nuthin’ more about it.” Gurney Williams, Jr. comicbooks.com