Judge, 1938-07 · page 13 of 53
Judge — July 1938 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Judge Magazine Page (July 1938) This page contains three separate satirical pieces mocking humorists and their creative processes: **"Two Weeks With Pay"** satirizes the anxious, overbearing vacation companion—likely depicting a common social type rather than a specific person. The joke is the companion's suffocating deference ("do what you want, Joe") that actually pressures the vacationer into compliance, causing Joe to abandon his trip in frustration. **"Why Humorists Are Sourpusses"** presents a series of people pitching terrible ideas to a humorist—radiators that talk, overheard horse stories, forced rhyming poems. The satire suggests humor writers are pestered with hackneyed suggestions, explaining their grumpy demeanor. Parker Cummings (credited at bottom) observes that humorists are "dumb in conversation," hoarding their wit for published work. **"Chauffeur John"** is a dark poem about a reckless driver who ignites gasoline vapors with a match, dying spectacularly ("Angel bright"). The cartoons target lazy creative pitching and the gap between conversational dullness and published talent—relevant workplace humor for 1938 readers familiar with magazines and comedy writing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“On, Boy,—Civitians!” Two Weeks With Pay “It says turn left at the next road for Valley Forge, Joe. I mean, Joe, if you want to take in Valley Forge or any- thing, just say so. It’s your trip, Joe. 1 want you to do what you want to do; not me. “I guess that's the turn. Why did you step on the gas, Joe? Oh, well, we can catch it coming back if you want, Joe. Anything you want to see, Joe, like Gettysburg or these historic places. “There's that place on the Delaware River where Washington crossed. You know, Joe; standing up in a skiff so his poor soldiers could have seats. They say he was like that. Here it is on the map, Joe; want to see it? “All you have to do is say so, Joe. Like me driving. I'll drive any time you get tired. What's that funny noise, Joe? Sounds like you gritting your teeth. Well, I thought it was. Maybe it was the gears or something. “I want you to do as you please on your vacation, Joe. Why what are you doing? You're turning around! You say you're going back! Back where? Back home? You say you're going to do what you want to do on your vacation? Oh, Joe! Why do you do things to upset me when you have only got two weeks, Joc? You say if I don’t like it, get out? Oh, Joe . . . now I've offended you some way...” —McCreapy Huston. Chauffeur John Stubborn engine, Weather keen, Chauffeur John, Gasoline. Chauffeur John’s Mind a blank. Lighted match, Over tank. Brilliant flash, Splendid flight, Chauffeur John Angel bright. July, 1958 WHY HUMORISTS 44@© AY, I've got something for you to write up. This actually hap- pened. Honestly it did. I know the fellow it happened to. It seems he and another fellow were coming home from the movies one night when they saw a runaway horse, and—oh, you've heard that? I thought that was brand new.” as ELLO! You're just the guy I'm looking for. I've got a swell idea for a skit for you to work up. Here's the idea: Supposing radiators could talk. . . . No, not radios. Radi- ators .. . What? .. . Well, why not radiators? Now then you work up a skit how radiators feel about the people they heat up, and what they think about their janitors. For instance one radiator could say .. . What? . . . You don’t? Well, J don’t think it’s such a bad idea.” a EE, you're lucky—getting things into the magazines. I wish I could. People say I've got a swell sense of humor. If I could just get in some mag, I'd be all set, because after you're once in, they'll take anything you write, won't they? ... What?... Well, practically anything.” ARE SOURPUSSES a OWDY! Say, I want you to look at a funny poem I dashed off the other day, and tell me where to send it. I know I can sell it sure. Look it over, will you? .. . What? ... What's meter mean? . . . Yeah? . . . That's funny; I never heard of that. I thought all you had to do was figure out words that rhyme.” id ERE'S one my oldest kid pulled the other day—right out of a clear sky. You can use it if you want to. How much commission do you pay?” a ELL, how's the funny busi- ness getting along? You know I can’t figure out why all humor- ists are so dumb in conversation. Do you just hold back purposely so as to save all your good stuff for writing?” —ParkE CUMMINGS. eee STUDENTS ENDORSE 10 COMMANDMENTS New York Times. Coolidge was against sin, too. we awe AGH, Sah RB ¥ BARKADALE ROGERS “You See, I'm Reatty A Butt!” comicbooks.com