Judge, 1929-11-09 · page 9 of 36
Judge — November 9, 1929 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Page Analysis This page from *Judge* contains two separate satirical pieces: **"Helping Hands"** mocks inconsiderate sports fans. The cartoons show stadium-goers arriving late, blocking others' views, standing on feet, and causing general disruption. The humor targets the social rudeness of those who arrive after games begin—particularly those drinking under the stands before stumbling to their seats. The final cartoon references "Graham McNamee," likely a famous radio broadcaster of the era, joking that apartment noise complaints stem from his broadcast volume rather than residents. **"Circus Mergers, Beware!"** satirizes the 1920s wave of business consolidations and bank mergers. The poem uses circus imagery to mock corporate consolidation trends: merged rings lose their appeal, animals lose distinctiveness, acts become economically inefficient. The satire warns that while business mergers might seem acceptable in finance, combining entertainment—the circus—would destroy its magic. It's a lighthearted critique of unchecked corporate consolidation. Both pieces target contemporary social irritations and economic trends through humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE Helping Hands When you arrive at the stadium after the game has begun. “Hey, sit down, will you? You weren't made in a glass factory!” “Sorry, but this is Row J. You're ‘way around there behind ~ the goal posts, brother. If you start now vou ought to ma in time for next Sature game.” “Good Lord, wouldn't you think that with a whole season to plan on, people could start in time to get here before the game is half over?” “Fellows like that are the curse of the game. They stand around drinking under the stands until play starts, then barge up and sprawl all over everybody.” “That's my foot you're stand- ing on, old man. It's pretty well frozen or I'd have noticed it be- fore. Would you mind either finding your seat or getting the hell out “of here joing to Naples?” i “No, just Turin.” —Stancey Jones | “Hey, don't you know noise in this apartment?” “It ain't me—it’s Graham McNamee!” you ain't allowed to make so much Le Circus Mergers, Beware! When banks and things began to merge, The process failed to irk us. But now we hear a mournful dirge— They've started on the circus. We see three rings merged into one. That dismal day will dawn, too, When clephants are singleton, With no tails to hang on to. An acrobat can’t thrill the least, With one trapeze assigned him, Nor tamer bold with one wild beast And none to sneak behind him, The clown whose tricks are all » is simply fated. Ah, save us from pink lemonade That's really concentrated ! Or should the swallower of swords In feasts grow economic, He would be billed upon the boards As taking iron tonic. So merge your banks and merge your stocks. Small harm will such stunts work us. . But fear our brickbats and our rocks, If you combine our circus. —Famrax Downey