Life, 1899-02-02 · page 12 of 20
Life — February 2, 1899 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct sections: **Upper section:** A dramatic illustration showing figures on the steps of what appears to be a classical government building (likely the Capitol), captioned "Future American's Member of Congress from the Philippines: Whatever Became of That Bill to Annex Mars to the United States?" This satirizes American imperial expansion following the Spanish-American War and the acquisition of the Philippines, mocking the grandiose ambitions of expansionist politicians by suggesting future absurdities like annexing Mars. **Lower section:** Theater criticism discussing Miss Olga Nethersole's performance in *Indu* and *The Second Mrs. Tanqueray*, praising her sincerity and emotional range while noting her distance from naturalistic acting. The page blends political satire with cultural commentary typical of *Life*'s editorial approach.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
92 The Mutual Admiration Society (Limited). AID the Lion to the Eagle: id the Eagle to the Lion: S “T have loved thee all “Tam thankful for those along; words; But I love thee more than ev They help me, O my master, As L sce thee growing strong. As I pluck the other birds.” HE present custom—first largely practiced by Mr. Charles Hoyt of farce comedy fame—of giving new plays a preliminary canter out of town is highly to be commended, The verdict of the metropolis is supposed to De final, and it is wise and fair to all concerned that, before being presented for judgment, they should have that smoothing down of rough edges which no amount of rehearsing seems able to give, and which can only be acquired by a greater or smaller number of public perform ances. It may be objected that the trying it on a dog it, as that expression is condensed by the profession ugh on the dog, but in reality the dog seems et the play in its best estate, but his is nota hig r, and he reccives an equivalent in sceing what may prove to be a talked-about success some time sooner than he would in the ordinary course of events, To New York audiences it is a real benefit, because they are relieved from the irritation caused by forgotten lines and tiresome waits. Toartist, author and manager the practice is of unquestioned adv . because it enables them to place their wares before the most important public in their best con- dition, and gain immediately that popular support which, if not gained at the outset, is likely to be long in coming. Here's a health to the dog, then, and may his constitution remain vigorous and his digestion unimpaired, or to like it. * * . BJECTION has been made in the case of ‘*Zaza” that the frank exposition of behind the scenes mechanism WA D in the tirst actis likely, by its disillusionment, to dimin- ish the future enjoyment of theatre-goers who wit- ness this frank exposition of the secrets of stage thunder and lightning, and other access The objection seems a bit absurd when one considers how little illusion there is left concerning otber far more important fea- Whose enjoyment is lessencd by painted canvas, or that the ries, tures of stage depiction. knowing t the trees are onl distant lake in the beautiful scenery is only a picture of a lake, or that the moonlight is only s effect? We shall believe quite as firmly that the thunder is real thunder and the lightning real lightning, whether we have seen ‘ Zaza” or not. LIFE FUTURE AMERICANS Member of Congress from the Philippines: WHATEVER WECAME OF THAT BILL TO ANNEX MARS TO THE UNITED STATES? The other M.C.2 FEATED THAT AT TOE POLES, HE chastisemeot which Miss Olga Nether- sole received, from friendly and unfriendly s alike, for her childish and trivial affec- tations in ‘*The Termagaut,” seemed to pro duce a salutary effect. Of course Paula, in “The Second Mrs, Tanquensy,” is a more conventional character than the fantastic Beatriz, but Miss Nethersole puts into the former an amount of sincerity which t have been lacking had it not been for her disastrous experience of the preceding week, But even as Paula Miss Nethersole is too far away from Nature. She shows the un- happy heroine vot as she probably was, but as she possibly might have been, ‘The dominant passion of the woman might cri