Life, 1899-04-20 · page 13 of 20
Life — April 20, 1899 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct satirical pieces: ## Main Illustration The large sketch depicts a theatrical scene with men gathered around a table, illustrating the caption: "First American: Laugh and the World Laughs With You; Second American: All But The Englishman." The satire targets American versus English attitudes—suggesting Americans are easily amused by theatrical entertainment while the English maintain cynical detachment. ## Text Commentary The accompanying article discusses the revival of Shakespeare plays in America during the Easter holidays, noting that young audiences showed genuine enthusiasm. However, it criticizes contemporary American actors attempting to revive Shakespeare, calling their efforts "too pitiful for criticism." The piece laments that skilled Shakespearean actors have become "practically extinct" in America. ## Bottom Cartoon "His Motto" presents two con artists discussing a successful swindle, with the punchline suggesting one can accomplish anything through persistence—a dark joke about American opportunism and gullibility. **Overall context:** Early 20th-century satire of American cultural pretensions and susceptibility to theatrical (and literal) deception.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
First American: T was a refreshing sight during tho Faster holidays to behold the interest tho lads and lassics home from school took in the stalwart dramas to be found on two or three of our stages. Ii any persons ever got their money's worth at tho theatro it was the boys and girls who formed a very cousidorable part of the audiences at “The Great Ruby.” Theirs was no cynical indifference, and if bulging eyes and parted lips are any evidence of Second Amer LL BUT THE ENGLISHMAN. spellbound interest, this thrilling drama certainly roused it in tho breasts of tho youngsters, . . NE consoquence of the ro- action from tho nausca of the problem play is that even William Shake- spearo is getting to bo more or less the vogue. Unfortunately, the race of Shakespearian actors in America LAUGH, AND THE WORLD LAUGHS WiTIT YoU. is practically extinct, and somo of tho prosent efforts to rovivify tho Bard aro too pitifal for criticiam. Metcalfe. His Motto. IRST BUNCO MAN: He seemed pretty shrewd. I didn’t think you could do him so easily. Srconp Bunco Man: Oh, you never know what you can do till you try. comicbooks.com