Judge, 1927-08-06 · page 13 of 36
Judge — August 6, 1927 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "They Love It!" - A Judge Magazine Story This humorous narrative by Stanley Jones satirizes changing attitudes toward service and authority in the early 20th century. Joe Zivotto, a meek immigrant barber catering to wealthy, demanding female customers (Mrs. Grandeasy, Miss Plusch), represents the deferential immigrant underclass. After accidentally drinking pink scalp tonic, Joe transforms into an aggressive "superman" who insults and orders customers around. The joke's point: paradoxically, his rude, domineering behavior makes him wildly popular. Women actually *prefer* being treated disrespectfully to being treated obsequiously. This reflects anxieties about masculinity, immigration, and class dynamics of the era—the ironic suggestion that traditional feminine desire rewards dominance over servility. The accompanying smaller cartoons about "Business Secrets" appear unrelated filler. The satire mocks both Joe's transformation and contemporary gender relations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE They Love It! I. This is the story, my chil- dren, of a poor barber. His name was Joe Zivotto, and he had a mean little shop and catered to condescending feminine trade. “Cut my hair so, you,” Mrs. Grandeasy would cominand. And, “T want three curls, to fall right in this spot,” Miss Plusch would order. And to both of them, and to all the others, Joe would bow, and murmur: “Yes, modom. Exactly, miss. Just a poor. II. Then, one noon, rumi- nating sadly on his lot, he de- cided that life wasn’t worth while. With a fatalistic Sicilian snap of the fingers, he caught up the nearest bottle of pink scalp tonic and drained it to the last drop. “Ahb-h,” he gasped, and blinked, a little appalled at his own dar ing. “Why don’t I di But instead he felt a mounting, reck- less spirit boiling through his veins. He didn't care, that was it. He was a superman—the world was his apple. His customers— pooh! Worms! At this moment Mrs. Grand- casy rolled in, clanking with platinum, glittering with — dia- monds. She opened her lips, whe s you wish.” He was very down there, you,” snapped Joe. “I, the artist, am going to cut your hair right for the first time in your life! What do you know about it? Nothing! What do I know? Everything! Sit down!” “Gracious,” fluttered Mrs. G. But she sat down, blinking. And later, as she was pushed roughly out, Miss Plusch flittered in. “I want,” she began... “Sit down,” snarled Joe, snapping his shears. “J’m_ tell- ing you, see?” Miss Plusch gasped, eyes popping. Joe shoved her into the chair. Ill. Today, my children, Mon. Josef Zivotte is the most popular barber in the city. He greets and insults every fair cus- tomer in person. God knows why, but they seem to like it! —Sranvey Jones. Yes, the Municipal Tank Trolleys will be very popular in hot weather. Business Secrets Orange Ade The Orange The Aid So UMM ty eet a od swans Juxtor—I saw you knock father down! Sisrer—What of it? [ didn’t jump on him. comicbooks.com