Judge, 1930-09-13 · page 11 of 36
Judge — September 13, 1930 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis: Judge Magazine Page This page satirizes economic hardship masked by official optimism during the prosperous 1920s. **"Those Prosperity Blues"** (poem by Arthur L. Lippmann) mocks government promises of economic recovery. References to "Commissions," "Mellon" (Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon), and "Hoover" indicate this targets the Coolidge-Hoover administrations' assurances that prosperity would continue. The blues catalog—fickle luck, poverty amid plenty ("a cent looks like a nickel"), food scarcity—reflects ordinary Americans' actual struggles despite official claims of success. **"The Royal Flop"** depicts a king (representing government/leadership) desperate to regain newspaper prominence after being overshadowed by natural disasters and other news. His publicist's solution—"refuse to be king any more and start a column"—suggests leaders have become mere entertainers disconnected from real governance. **The car cartoon** shows a young driver pulled over, claiming his pleasure vehicle "license" justifies reckless driving. The officer's skepticism mirrors public doubt about whether official prosperity narratives match reality. Together, these pieces critique the gap between government rhetoric and citizens' lived experience.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| JUDGE Those Prosperity Blues & ) a got those 0 When- will-the-Commissions-help-to-rectify ditions- Blues! Mellon- Blues! ‘Those- nowadays- the- bluebird-is-a-non-existent- new-bird- And- that -well-known-silver-lining-hereabouts- 1] has-ceased-its-shinir Blues. Some Blues! I've got those | Lady - Luck -is-fickle- and-a-cent-looks-like-a- nickel- Blues. | Those- though- I-munch-on- rye-bread-there’s-no- jelly-spread-on-my-b Blues. Those- Hey-there- Mister-Hoove Those -Oh-to-drop-a-shell-on- optimistic: Andy- | i n’t-you-man- »-help-of- Pollyanna-to- produce -some- i} |] 1 mt magic-manna- } Thank Gawd!!! 1 thought a ionan y) ies etl Bice! | you w my wife. Frey Agtiun L. Lirpaaxs | DON'T | | Spit? i|| | | ORDER ba 1 OF THE { | | HEALTH | | k DEPT. HW SRAGR RL it tt The Royal Flop ; ii K . glared at his royal advisers. HW “Gents,” he said, brandishing the latest reports iy from a press clipping bureau, “something has gone | / phooey. Look at these ! Hit Jot one single item on Page One for the last month!” | 1} plained the king. “I used to be good for at least a HIV Hh umn every morning.” } “L thought [saw something concerning your majesty in Hit w York paper last week,” put in one of the council. ryt | h! Way back near the classified pages! Gentle- HI | mien, something must be done! I'm not getting the breaks.” | | “Maybe you ought to get a new press agent,” suggested snother adviser. “I know a good one named Gotzenheim.” i} “T've got a good publicity bureau,” insisted the king. ih { But the papers don’t seem to use the stuff we send out.” ° | “There's been a lot of earthquakes, droughts, and...” : i “TL know all about that!" thundered the ki But spot i news shouldn't crowd me out entirely! What can I do to HH xet back on the first page?” | ] Can your majesty fall off a hors: Wye a “Nonsense!” roared the king. He turned to a wise, | | veteran member of the royal council. ‘General, can't —— | | you tell me how to get back on the front p “What's the big idea? This license is for a pleas- \ | The old gentleman arose, bowed and said: “It is easy, ure car, young feller!” ! \ your majesty. Simply refuse to be king any more and “Well, officer, does it look like I’m having such a aaa) start a column. bad time?” i } } 9 tit | | comicbooks.com