Judge, 1929-05-18 · page 9 of 36
Judge — May 18, 1929 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis for Modern Readers This Judge magazine page satirizes 1920s American consumer culture through multiple humor formats: **Commercial Theme Songs**: The satire pairs well-known popular songs with brand names, mocking how advertising infiltrated entertainment. For example, Maxwell House gets "You're the Cream in My Coffee"—blending product placement with sentiment. **"Instruments of Torture"**: A darkly humorous list comparing modern inconveniences (dial phones, subways, radio) to medieval torture devices, reflecting anxiety about rapid technological change. **The Main Cartoon**: Shows an expressman struggling with a massive trunk while tiny people labor around a giant figure's head—likely satirizing the challenge of moving or shipping belongings in an increasingly consumer-driven society. **Department Store Proverbs**: Mock retail observations about crowding and shopping behavior, suggesting department stores were overwhelming spaces. **"Instruments of Torture" section finale**: A joke about a Scotsman buying old Fords cheap and reselling them as "vibrators"—either mocking a scam or implying the cars' poor condition made them vibrate uncontrollably. The overall theme critiques consumerism, modern technology, and commercial culture's growing dominance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Commercial Theme Songs Hart, Schaffner & © Marx— “Button Up Your Overcoat Maxwell Honse—"You're. the Cream in My Coffee Helena Rubinstein Beauty Preparation—"Don't Be L ke his Chop Suey Gardens maine.” Pelman Institute—"Will You Remember?” Knickerbocker Ice Company— n't Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” ite Employment Agen “Until You Get Somebody Else Portable Gi: mpany— “Back In Your rk Yard.” Mothersill’s Seasick Remedy— Thou Swel a | Pin Shadow.” Any Bootlegger—"Hello, Mon- treal.” Ask Mr. Foster “¢ s—“Me and My “Wherever You Ar Prohibition Enforcement— | “Sh! Here Comes My | Goodyear Rubber Co. Smile Be Your Umbrel Credit Clothing Asse 5 “Due, Due, Due.” | —Cannott Carrotn Instruments of Torture SN ¢ Ducking Stool anent Waves ing Iron Turkish Bath mb Screws Dial Phones Iron Woman The Subway ] Wheel Phe Radio Expressmax—Say, mister—ichere d'ye want this trunk? : Stocks Stocks | | Department Store Proverbs | ] Lost children will be found in | | the toy deps | There's: for one | more on the clevator. | There are no one-way aisles, | bat there ought to be Unpaid goods are always. re- | turnable. If you don’t see the topcoat | | you want, the salesman will, | —R. C. O'Brien | Then there was the Scotchman who made fortune buying old model Fords and selli his friends as vibrators, First Jocxev—Com'on, kid, you and me gotta play 18 holes before dark, A novel idea—Sex. comicbooks.com