Judge, 1931-11-28 · page 4 of 36
Judge — November 28, 1931 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is primarily a **Stutz automobile advertisement**, not political satire. The page features dialogue criticizing Stutz's decision to launch three new car lines during the Great Depression (1932). The opening quote frames the announcement as poor timing—the public questions why the company would introduce new models when "we're having 'bad times'" and "new models will be scarce in 1932." The accusatory tone ("you ought to break the rules like that, STUTZ!") is sarcastic. However, the ad then pivots to justify the decision: Stutz claims reorganization and refinancing allowed them to afford new production while maintaining low prices. The advertisement emphasizes innovation (the dual-valve DV-32 model) and affordability as countercyclical strategies. Rather than satire, this represents **Depression-era marketing**: using apparent criticism as a rhetorical device to demonstrate confidence and business acumen during economic crisis.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
.don’t you realize that we’re having ‘bad times’? *... don’t you know everyone’s waiting to see whathappens? | “What a fine time you picked to do it . don’t you know new models will be scarce in 1932? “...you oughtn’t to break the rules like that, STUTZ!” LUTZ BRINGS OUT new lines Here’s why we're doing it We are in a position to bring out new models; we can afford to bring out new models; we are able to bring them out at lower prices than ever before; we believe that there are people in the fine car class who'd like to drive new models; and—even if we didn’t think times were looking up—we would still bring them out. STUTZ is re-organized and re-financed, with a group of America’s most eminent business brains in control of 72 per cent of its stock. STUTZ has written off, to the last penny, all retooling costs on the new models. STUTZ, due to the above, along with reduced material cost and economical overhead is able to offer for 1932 the finest automobiles in Stutz history—and at the lowest prices. STUTZ has the most unique car in America—the new DV-32 the only dual valve, double overhead camshaft stock car ever built to sell under $10,000. STUTZ went ahead in 1931; and STUTZ is going ahead in 1932! What Stutz Offers the Fine Car Buyer in 1932 The New DV- Firse stock car in the world emy © overhead camshaft prin $10,000, ‘Twenty-three separate an nts are on this car for and standard bodies on thi Stutz “Bearcat” and the n guaranteed 100 m.p.h. The New SV-16 ‘The famous Safety Stutz in its 1932 version. The result years’ experience with the straig ight-cight. Reduced rices represent as much a4 $900 savings. 35 custom and standard body styles. Prices, $2,695 to $7,095 f.0.b. The New LAA Series A perfect gem of a car and the lowest priced Stutz ever built. Four body styles, each at $1620, f. 0. b. ing the dual valve, selling under jstinet major im- Stutz Motor Car Company or America, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana comicbooks.com