Judge, 1928-05-19 · page 17 of 36
Judge — May 19, 1928 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a humorous illustrated story (not political satire) about Goldilocks as a circus animal trainer. The narrative plays on the fairy tale: instead of visiting bears' homes, Goldilocks has become a domineering trainer who bosses three performing bears into a circus act for "the Gus Sun" (likely a vaudeville circuit). The joke centers on Goldilocks' imperious personality—she lectures the bears about manners, orders them around despite being their guest, and browbeats them into an eight-week performance schedule. The bears reluctantly agree to perform tricks (wire-walking with a beer bottle, carrying flags, etc.), though the Little Bear rebels by jumping out a window. The satire is gentle social comedy: a woman outsmarting and dominating larger creatures through sheer force of personality and talk. The illustration by Frank Hanley depicts the circus preparations in Art Deco style, typical of Judge magazine's 1920s-era humor—celebrating female assertiveness while poking fun at both stubborn animals and determined women.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CFAMOUS A NIMAL, TRAINER “Mamma knows best,” said Goldilocks. “Now do as [tell you... .” And they did. Somehow the bears always did what Goldilocks told them to do. It n't that they were afraid of her, but all. three beginning ‘to get Goldilocks used firmness She rarely used a whip on them wer a hunted look in their eyes. stly and kindliness And talk! Beir could easily outt doa woman to boot, she Once the Big Bear attempted to explain to her that after all she was a guest and pre y and it would be acted stand a lady a nice idea if she Goldilocks had re plied cryptically. “the least you might do would be te take off that fur coat As the Big Bear said later. was no answer to that. ily. “Well, boys.” she said, “it's The bears stifled a simultancous groan. had bruin for days. It And if you were a gentleman,” Something been sounded ominous, “Tt’s all fixed. Eight weeks solid on the Gus Sun Illustration by Vrank Hanley and the 's fixes “T won't do i “Our animal cinch.” rest of the season looks a 2" asked the Big Bear, adding hastily. et. [ts a flash. For the first number ‘or the second number and for the finale you walk a ko wire balancing a beer bottle on your smoot.” “What do I de asked the Middle-sized Bear. “You carry an American flag purple Goldilocks turned to the 1 won't! [T won't! Little Bear in his tenor voice and he jumped out of the window and made for the The rapidly. “Well” murmured Goldilocks, T have to, Pl do a si wmanimal act is not to the telep! friends. She In't been aby It's a wow. TP wear plush pants for my costar Little Bear. 1 won't! \s for you sereamed the woods. other two bears followed to hell with them. If cand, anyhow, split weeks witl hot! Van Erskine ' ne n calling up bes vou, is it? Going e te de this very well when © wasn't exactly hers “mused Goldilocks ‘are all right ina way, but it’s time ay eome had a littl comicbooks.com