Judge, 1927-04-23 · page 12 of 36
Judge — April 23, 1927 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Prohibition-Era Satire in Judge Magazine This page satirizes American Prohibition (1920-1933) through multiple angles: **Main cartoon (top)**: Depicts a chaotic speakeasy or illicit drinking establishment, mocking how Prohibition created underground drinking culture rather than eliminating it. **"Patronize Your Naborhood Bootlegger"**: Parodies legitimate business advertising to mock the normalization of illegal alcohol sales. The bootlegger is portrayed as offering convenient "customer service"—undercutting legal businesses while operating confidentially. **"Extra Hazardous" joke**: Insurance refuses coverage for someone wearing a celluloid collar who drinks bootleg liquor, suggesting bootleg alcohol's danger and unreliability. **Bottom cartoon**: Three men discuss being "padlocked"—referring to authorities literally padlocking speakeasies closed. **"Ask Me Another" quizzes**: Domestic humor listing nagging spousal questions, implying husbands drink at speakeasies to escape home life. **Overall message**: The page ridicules Prohibition as ineffective—it spawned organized crime, unsafe homemade alcohol, and speakeasy culture while failing to stop drinking.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Naturally Clarice—Was the lecture on “Prohibition Evils” a success? Maurice—I should say so— there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Patronize Your Naborhood Bootlegger He’s Johnny-on-the-Spot! Orders cheerfully delivered! Direct from Producer to Con- sumer! Cut Rates and Cut Rations! Dealings rictly Confidential ! Money Back (if you can say so)! Be NABORLY: BORHOOD Cop You! NA- Direct Your Will Ft May—Have you heard about Gladys? “Psst, Waiter! she drinks cock- Extra Hazardous Cain—Why did the insurance people turn down Felix? Abel—Too much of a risk—he wea a celluloid collar and drinks bootleg liquor. “Not a thing on the hip today, ol’ top; I’ve been padlocked!” Is it possible to get a drink here?” “Ask Me Another” Morning Quiz Well, why don’t you wind the clock ? If you don’t like waffles, why don’t you come out like a man and strike your wife? | Why do I have to ask you to | leave a check? What time will you be home? \a Special Phone Quiz The fire has gone out. shall I do? Have you tickets for anything? What time will you be home? What Evening Quiz ] | | | | How long do you think the cook will stay if you will not get home at a reasonable time? ; Did you mail my letters? | Do you know what day this is? | Whe | new car? | | are we going to have a Who was that lady I saw you with? Why did I leave a good home? RR | Prohibition isn’t so bad if it just doesn’t get any worse. 10 comicbooks.com