Judge, 1931-11-14 · page 10 of 36
Judge — November 14, 1931 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "American Tragedy" - Judge Magazine This page satirizes American anxious domesticity during what appears to be the early 20th century. The top cartoon shows a man fielding repeated phone calls about an unnamed crisis—his dialogue reveals worry, superstition ("too much sugar"), and dependence on male friends' reassurance. The cryptic conversation suggests illness or injury in the household, likely a child or spouse, generating the frantic phone activity. The bottom cartoon by Fred Neher shows a traffic-safety message: Uncle Sam stands guard in a "Safety Zone," protecting a child in a toy car from oncoming traffic. The caption "Lady—Where—safe at last!" ironically comments on urban dangers. Together, the page contrasts private domestic anxiety with public safety concerns, suggesting American life's precarious nature. The wealthy gentleman's nervous reliance on social networks mirrors the era's growing middle-class dependency on expert advice and community reassurance during medical or safety crises.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUDGE AMERICAN TRAGEDY “QC George, answer that phone! It’s rung at least fifty times today.” “All t. Hel-lo! Hello! Why, hello, Bill! I could recognize your voice from a million. Well, no, not so good tonight, Bill. We don't know. Uh, huh. I'm a little worried. No, I hardly think it’s that. You're right, Bill, it’s tough on a fellow. But all we can do is wait and hope for the best. Thanks a lot, Bill. Yeah. I’ve got her in a cool, quiet place. No draft. No commotion Yes, I know. That's what everybody— Sure. “Ne-e Bill, I was saying that everybody tells us not to worry. But you know how a person does, always thinks of the worst. Uh, huh. Doe Burns, an old friend of ours—yeah—Doe Burns, he w. know. He didn’t say much. No. I'll s: square shooter if there ever was one. C: Uh, huh. Just the fellow I like to have come around. Yeah. No guessing with him. Well, no. He didn't come right out and say, but I could tell from his talk that... that he thought it was just another case of too much su I was afraid of that.” Uh, huh. He's going to sce what—” rorge! For heaven's sake!” “MP uat’s what he told me. Yeah. You know how a per- son feels, Bill. Makes it kind of tough. Well, it won't be long before we'll know. Uh, huh. Did I? yed up three nights in a row until two. But that’s the things. go. No, I didn’t. Well, no sense in feeling that Sure. Maybe so. Well, stop around next week. Uh, huh. Bring Harry along, Bill. I'll open up a few bottles and let you taste it for yourself. She ought to have or not at all!” Lavy—Whew—safe at last! 8 comicbooks.com