Judge — January 1, 1927 — page 20: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page collects theatrical humor jokes, likely from early-to-mid 20th century vaudeville and stage performances. The top panel shows a judge questioning why someone wrote an "atrocious letter," with the response being spilled ink—a visual pun. The subsequent panels reference stage performers and their act catchphrases. One mentions someone attending "school" in Philadelphia (likely referencing a specific performer's bit), another quotes "the motto of our family has always been—never give up!" as a character trait, and the final panels contain variations on show business humor and New Year's resolutions. The cartoons satirize theatrical stock characters and clichéd dramatic moments common to stage comedy of the era. The humor relies on audiences recognizing these performers or their famous routines. Without identifying the specific actors or shows referenced, the exact targets remain unclear to modern readers unfamiliar with that performance era.