Life, 1905-04-20 · page 13 of 28
Life — April 20, 1905 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wealthy society's theatrical pretensions and bad behavior. The central image is **Mrs. Van Damm Expensse**, a society hostess whose exaggerated name itself mocks conspicuous consumption. The text describes her theater party where young socialites arrived late, disrupted the performance by laughing during serious scenes, and behaved rudely to other patrons—yet faced no consequences because of their social status. The satire's target: wealthy people who attend cultural events not to appreciate art but as social performance, treating theaters as venues for self-display while showing contempt for both performers and fellow audience members. The joke is that the *actors* seemed annoyed, and "most of the audience left"—yet the socialites remained unbothered, protected by their class position. The accompanying gossip column and "Hard Worker" cartoon continue mocking society's shallow values and poor behavior masked by wealth and fashion. The satire assumes readers recognize this type of aristocratic rudeness as contemptible.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
M& 5. VAN DAMM _ EX- PENSSE gave a delightful theatre party last Friday, con- sisting of twenty-two young people. ‘They were only an hour or so late and presented *LIFE* man and his two daughters left the theatre soon after, which was None of the party wanted them there, anyway. just as well. There are sure to be cranks in every audience, however. Some peculiar persons, for instance, made themselves very disagree- ause members of Mrs. Van Damm _ Expensse’s theatre able be 459 Bohr, Jr., Heritage Doolittle, Mr. Whartor Kadd, Mr. Braynliss Pupp, F. Poorleigh Bredd young Lord Drynkmore. and Mrs. Khantbee Satton, one of our ablest pushers, gave a lunch on Monday. She is no relation to THE Mrs. Satton, whose fam ily have always been fashionable Mrs, Mudd, second inside man has an Richern whose avery pretty sight as they took — their with much chatter All high spirits and enjoyed themselves seats and gay Jaughte were in thoroughly, The people on the stage somewhat noyed, and most of the audience left the theatre before the la seemed an- One man in the audi- ence—and such men should be put out—had the bad manners to hiss just because Miss tor Loud and Miss sie Talkie happened to laugh merrily for a long time during a critical part Both Miss Miss Talkie were much better dressed of the play. Loud and —more chic in every way -than the wife of the man who hissed. Justor Kubb, who per- haps had taken too much champagne, was very amusing, and Miss Lulu Inkum, who sat next him, became quite hysterical with laughter. A fussy old gentle- man who sat just in front of them, with his two daughters, called an usher and asked him to speak to Mr, Kubb. Of course, Mr. Kubb and the rest of the party merely laughed at him. The old gentle- MRS, VAN DAMM EXPENSSE party prevented people behind from the But goodness! What are theatre par- ties for ? Among those whom Mrs. Van hearing actors. Damm Expensse chaperoned were Miss Sallie Boodle, Miss Chattor Loud, Miss Pussy Muchinprint and Miss Tootoo Kylling. Among the gentlemen were Dedleigh unpleasant face on his outside, will attend a dinner party next Tues- day evening. She will when and will return home she feels like it, move her retiring. Mrs. Merger Hogg was re- jewels before seen on the Avenue last Tuesday afternoon, She leisurely along, looking at a shop was © strolling and then, just like an ordinary per- son! window now From an Author’s Diary. Wrote book (Aries April 2.—Book fell still-born from the press April 3.--Had picture taken in cowboy hat April 4.—Picture printed in all the literary April 5.- ill-spelled letters sick women April 6 ters published. April 7.—Book among the six best-sellers. journals. Received a dozen from love- A Hard Worker. LIMSON : Willie, they tell me you ha the reputation of being the worst boy in school. Witute: Yes, father, and I can tell you I didn’t get it without a struggle. pressure WAITER: How 1s the water, sir? Guest: Finest I ever ate. comicbooks.com