Judge, 1927-06-04 · page 11 of 36
Judge — June 4, 1927 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Man Who Never Came Back" - Judge Magazine Satire This is a humorous serialized story mocking American attitudes about foreign lands and prohibition. Oscar Whipple, a shipwreck survivor, washes ashore on a tropical island ruled by an English-speaking king who cannibalistic traditions. The satire centers on prohibition: when Oscar mentions America's new alcohol ban, the king questions what it actually prohibits—implying the law is absurd or ineffective. The "Sick Man of Europe" cartoon below appears unrelated, likely a separate political commentary on European instability (possibly referencing Turkey as the "sick man"). The overall joke reflects early 1920s American anxieties about prohibition's absurdity and the era's fascination with "exotic" foreign cultures depicted through crude stereotypes. The cannibals represent the "civilized" world's prejudices about non-Western societies.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ana JUDGE The Man Who Never Came Back scar Wuirrte opened his ‘yes, sat up and groaned aloud. Gleaming white sand surrounded him and in front of him great green combers were sliding up on the beach. Oscar looked at them and shuddered. How he hated the sea and ships that sank. A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind—had any other sur- vived, where was he, how hot the sun was, how dizzy he felt, and once more everything went black for Mr. Whipple. Several hours later Oscar Whipple again opened his eyes, and once more groaned aloud. Instead of the gleaming white sand, a circle of grinning savag: surrounded him, and in place of the green combers was the green of a tropical jungle. For weeks Oscar was kept prisoner in a stout bamboo hut and stuffed with bananas, cocoa- nut milk and roast pork. Then came a day when Oscar, plump and mise eS. able, was brought be- dusky majesty, King of nd of Oomph. “Well, well,” said the king. “It’s been a long time since I've had the pleasure of ite man. In fa tinued, “I’ve been hungering for it for years.” king to a Tue Stck Man or Evrope Sometimes known as the “Wreck of the Bosporus.” he con “We'll be down in a minute, dear, we just have to dress.” Mr. Whipple paled at the word “hungering” but managed to stammer out his surprise at hear- ing the king speak English. “Years and years ago,” said the king, “I lived in America, but the food didn’t agree with me,” and he cast an appraising eye over Mr. Whipple. “Now, you,” continued — the king, “would be delicious stewed with cocho cocho berries and served on buttered toast. How- ever, I enjoy talking to you and if you'll tell me all about America I'll have mushrooms for dinner aid Oscar, “of course you know we have prohibition in ‘Ameriea now.” “Is that so?” said the king, “and what does it prohibit?” (Continued on page 25) comicbooks.com