Judge, 1927-12-10 · page 24 of 36
Judge — December 10, 1927 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes both movies and music criticism in the Jazz Age. The main joke concerns an elderly gentleman listening to a pianist play with only his left hand. When the narrator compliments the performance, the old man reveals he's "quite deaf"—meaning he cannot actually judge the music's quality at all. The satire operates on two levels: it mocks the pretense of film and music criticism (suggesting critics may lack genuine expertise), and it plays on the irony that a deaf person is positioned as an appreciative audience member. The "Movie Guide" sidebar lists contemporary 1920s Paramount films, including Douglas Fairbanks and Rudolf Valentino vehicles, indicating this is period entertainment journalism. The bottom cartoon depicts a car crash, with the caption suggesting such accidents are routine occurrences. Together, the page humorously questions whether modern audiences—or critics—truly know what they're evaluating.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
latest dazzler at the Paramount was a_ super- super something labeled “The Spotlight,” and as the lobby was jammed with its usual patient crowd, I took the Louis Quatorze elevator up to the Louis Quinze music room to get in the proper psychic mood to view the new offering of the in- fant art. There was just one other lis- tener in the music room, a ven- erable old gentleman who was listening very attentively, and I dropped into a Louis Douzieme overstuffed very content. The pianist was doing La Berceuse from Jocelyn and doing it very well considering the fact that he was playing with his left hand! JU DGE The Movie Guide (Shows continuous unless otherwise noted) “College” (Rialto, Jersey City)—A short rab for Buster Keaton. “The Gaucho" (Liberty, Twice Daily)—In the Fairbanks tradition. Worth seeing if you like him, “Garden of Allah’ (Loew Houses, Brooklyn) —A couple of hams 1 the sand. “King of Kings wice Daily) — A picture based on the lit hrist, by Cecil De Mille. “Lord Byron" —Reviewed in this issue. M nt one in this issue. (Bijou, Valentino)—Slow ropolitan)— for America’s sweetheart. The Patent Leather Kid"' (Globe, Twice Daily) ‘Sorrell and Son'* (Rivoli) —O tographed. If you have, not rise” (Times Squ: all ite faults, the best pict means. The Student Prince’? Daily) —With in town. See it by all (Astor, Twice Daily)— berg. ‘wed in this issue. “The Wreck of the Heaperus'—Reviewed in this issue. Wings” Twice Daily)—Overdone orth seeing. Central, Twice Daily)— t to be. A thrilling picture, well (Criterion, Uncle Tom's Cabin’ Just as bad a * Underwe (Li done in every departn a | When he had finished the gentleman and I both gave a patter of applause. “Very good,” I remarked re- spectfully to my fellow listener. “Wi that?” “Good,” I said, indicating the reserved pianist, who was look- ing over his musi “T liked it,’ my elderly panion answered, “but I’m not a good judge of music. Be- I’m quite deaf, you know.’ 1"No" I was forced to admit, I didn’t know.” “That's all right,” the volunteered, “he likes to me play with one hand.” “Well, I was just wondering about that myself.” (Continued on page 26) old him com- pianist watch Tue Girt—TI bet this is an ev Reitiee COUN veryday occurrence with you. comicbooks.com