Judge, 1931-10-24 · page 10 of 36
Judge — October 24, 1931 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "The Greatest Change" - Judge Magazine Analysis This is a domestic satire about wealthy upper-class couples wrestling with budget cuts during what appears to be the post-WWI or 1920s era. Mr. and Mrs. Phipps sit in their penthouse, planning winter vacations while trying to economize. The joke targets the absurdity of their "sacrifice": they're dramatically cutting travel plans to exotic locations (Bermuda, Nassau, Havana, Caribbean cruises, the Barbary Coast) while still contemplating expensive trips. Their proposed "economies" include eliminating servants (Hudson) and selling cars—yet they're agonizing over "tipping" costs and still eyeing Caribbean voyages. The satire mocks how the wealthy define financial hardship. Mrs. Phipps cites neighbors like "the Ted Cooks" and "Al Leffingwells" as precedent, suggesting even they manage such trips. The couple's hand-wringing over genuine luxury expenses reveals their disconnection from actual economic constraints ordinary people face. The cartoons illustrate their dramatic gestures while planning these supposedly painful cutbacks.
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JUDGE THE GREATEST CHANGE By Stanley Jones M rk, ann Mus. Pures sat, their several chins in hand, * in the cozy living-room of their penthouse. A fire blazed cheerily. Near the door to the conservatory, Hud son was busying himself with ice and glasses. On the faces of the Phippses was stamped the harried anxicty of deciding on winter plans. Alluring folders, mostly of bath- ers, palm trees, Arabs, and swordfish, were seatterc “Please, Alderton,” wheedled Mrs. Phipps ways wanted to do it. And we're not gettin Remember your arteries.” “Tve always wanted to, myself.” admitted Mr. Phipps. “But LT just don’t sce how we can do it, my dear. The ex- penses are frightful. Why “Let's start and sce where we can cut down.” Mrs. Phipps hunched forward eagerly. She picked up a hand- ful of the folders, produced pad and pencil. “First: we'll eliminate the easy ones. There's the Bermuda trip— that’s out.” She tore a handsome printing job in two. “And Aiken, And Asheville.” Mr. Phipps began to re- 1 to her enthusiasm. ‘he hell with Nassau,” he cried, filling the air with a cloud of torn paper. “There's eight thousand saved in one whack!” RAL? FULL “We'll give up Hlavana.”” said) Mrs Phipps. “It hurts « bit. but it'll be more than worth the sacrifice.” Morro Castle. in jagged picees, joined the mounti heap. “And,” she lowered her voic “we'll let Hudson go.” “DT heard that.” said Hudson angrily “We'll keep Hudson.” said | Mrs. Phipps. * Tet Farley go. And we'll sell the touring car and the roadster. How's that, my dear?” “Lovely,” smiled his consort. “Now then, what's this? Ah, the Barbary Coast cruise. W we must be ruthless, Alder ton. Out - ven at.” said Mr. Phipps. beginning to get cold feet again, “even with that, it’s going to be a staggering expense. Why, think of the tipping alone ! And the entertaining—teh, teh, teh.” “OF course it will cost money, Alder ton. But other people do it—yes, peopl: no better off than ourselves.” “Who?” demanded Mr. Phipps. Mrs. Phipps rolled an eve at the ceiling. “Well, the Ted Cooks. And the Al Leffingwells s. but he was a magistrate, or something,” objected Mr. Phipps. “He had it coming in all the time, Besides, he ran down to Florida every week-end.” Mrs. Phipps pretended to hear and picked up a turquoise blue leaflet. “We'll give the Caribbean the go-by. Alderton. Now, that’s a real concession, isn’t it? Just as we were working up to “I think you fell down on the face.” the captain's table? comicbooks.com