Judge, 1931-10-24 · page 11 of 36
Judge — October 24, 1931 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Judge Magazine Page Analysis This page contains two distinct stories satirizing wealthy American leisure during the prosperous 1920s. **"Judge" (top cartoon):** Mr. and Mrs. Phipps cancel their planned European tour ("Motor Tours Through France") to instead spend lavishly *in New York*. The satire targets nouveau riche anxieties about appearing poor—the couple throws an extravagant home party to signal they haven't lost wealth, reasoning that neighbors might otherwise suspect financial decline. The servant Hudson's sardonic comment about the railroad closing mocks their performative consumption. **"Guardian Angel" (bottom story):** Otto Greb repeatedly appears providentially in the narrator's life—rescuing him from an auto accident, preventing suicide after the stock market crash, and ultimately stopping him from a doomed transatlantic flight. The twist ending reveals Otto sold him life insurance in 1916, suggesting his interventions were self-interested. The story gently satirizes coincidence and providence while poking fun at insurance salesmanship disguised as friendship. Both pieces reflect Jazz Age concerns about wealth, social status, and luck.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Tell scem funny, all right. Virst time we've missed it in’ twenty-fiv: years. How put Paris, my dear? This other thing will mean no shop ping, you understand?” Mrs. Phipps tore up the blue leaflet, kicked “Mo tor Tours Through France” aside. There was a great light in her eves. ‘I know it, Alderton, and [I don't care. If you'll only say ‘Yes’.” ’ sighed Mr. Phipps. estab- » we'll do it, if it takes the last cent I've got.’ Mrs. Phipps jumped up, clapping her hands ‘til the carats jingled. “You darling, you!” “She kissed Mr. Phipps. “May I tell Hudson?” “Oh, 1 suppose so,” he sighed. “Hudson,” cried Mrs. Phipps. “What do you think we're going to do. this er?” Hudson shook his head. he said piously, “only knows.” “We're going to spend it right here in New York,” said Mrs. Phipps. “Oh—is that so? Well, I never had any trouble gettin’ my pants off on the B. & O.” —Nonman Surpivan | JUDGE “What in the world are you doing?” “It's such a long time since we had a party, our neighbors will think we've become poor or something.” Guardian Angel Orr Gren is perhaps the queerest individual I have ever met. Take the time I got hit by an auto, for in t stance. It was Otto who came pluny ing through the crowd beside the am | bulance surgeon and with tender | hands lifted me into a stretcher. Otto, a man with whom I had had but a mere nodding acquaintance! He visit ed me at the hospital daily and showed great solicitude for my health, Then there was that awful week ter the stock ‘market crash. I was ing to end it all. I remember stand- at the bric rail through the night hours, trying to get up courage for the leap. And then Otto Greb hopped out of a passing cab, took me hand and gave me a new start. Then for three years I didn't see ! anything of Otto Greb. Finally I had i completed my plans for a transatlan- tic flight, but on the day favorable | weather was announced a plane | roared down to our field and out of it wid came—Otto Greb, An excited Otto Greb. He argued, pleaded, cajoled and cursed me for going on this fool- hardy undertaking, till at length I ' surrendered and a substitute took my place. You know the rest. The plane was never heard from again. Since then Otto and I have become close friends. And, incidentally, I am able to recall now where I first met him, He was the fellow who sold me that life insurance policy in 1916. | 9 comicbooks.com