Life, 1909-01-21 · page 16 of 28
Life — January 21, 1909 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page addresses theatrical content and parental concerns about what's appropriate for young audiences—a major cultural debate of the early 20th century. **Main Content:** The "Solicitous Parent" section features a letter from "Paterfamilias" (Brooklyn) complaining that he cannot reliably determine which plays are morally safe for his family. He requests that *Life's* drama critics explicitly label reviews as either suitable or unsuitable for young people. **The Satire:** The two illustrated caricatures mock theatrical types: - **"The Stock Actress"** ridicules a mediocre performer who cycles through cheap roles (melodrama, classics, risqué contemporary pieces), claiming Brooklyn audiences praise her highly - **"The Blasé Soldier Boy"** jokes about a young man who attends shows only because his uncle produces them, getting free seats while ordinary patrons pay **The Point:** *Life* satirizes both anxious parents seeking moral gatekeeping and the theater industry's actual lack of standards. The magazine acknowledges legitimate concerns about theatrical "contaminations" while suggesting that drama—to remain vital—must address adult human experience, not merely protect young sensibilities.
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In Ye Olden Time prehistoric times, methinks, ‘There were no variegated drinks. The plesiosaurus grew inking too much Jon went on his way, to cheer, a pousse café. The ichthyosaurus felt within No sooth: dle of gin, The only thing they had to hi Their grief, was water—o mixture Ssiicitous Parent OW comes this letter, from an esteemed corre spondent, bringing up a question which is an old one but which is constantly assum- ing new phases. The topic is one better suited for discussion in a reli journal, perhaps, but alas, religious jour- nals cannot competently or fairly discuss things affecting the theatre. To Tie Dramatic Eprtor or Lire :—I want to thank you for the information you give in this week's Lire as to the character of “The Blue Mouse "and other plays now on in New York. Your article shows me what to avoid taking my family to see. ; I know that others are anxious to know what they can safely take their young people to see, and find, as I do, that it is impossibl> to get any reliable information from the box-office. Some time ago I asked a ticket seller if the play being given at bis house was a clean, wholesome one, and was assured that it was; that [ could take any one to it without regret. It proved to be a scandalous one. 1 had invited friends and the gentleman afterward said th if he had known what it was he would not have let his daughters see it under any consideration. In these days when most plays are founded on seduction and intrigue, and the dialogue and situations are most in decent, it is not safe to take one’s family without previous knowledge of what one will see. I think the public entitled to just such protection as your article of this week gives a I know from conversation with many friends at my club that you will confer a great favor on your readers if you will add to all your criticisms a few words, in substance like these: “ This is a performance that you can take young people to see,’? or “I do not advise any- ‘one to take their daughters."” Uplifters of the Drama THE STOCK ACTRESS She opens on Monday in “ Wages of Sin”; A matinee Tuesday with pink tea thrown in; She does Little Eva, Camille, and they claim— In Brooklyn—her Zaza puts Carter to shame. I want to take a party which will in- clude some young girls to see an enjoy- able, laughable comedy or musical play. Will it be asking too much to request ou to recommend by letter marked Personal "* such as you can endorse? Yours truly, Brook. PATERFAMILIAS Lire would be glad to answer the broad question in this letter categorically. Its writer is in the position of a large number of persons responsible for the welfare of the young who would like to have them enjoy the amusement and possible advantages of the theatre with- out its possible contam ions. He evi- dently finds the daily press an unsafe guide, His appeal to the box-office is al most pitiful in view of the conditions ‘on the business side of the theatre. EARLY every one to- day is willing to admit that the theatre can- not be conducted sole- ly with a view to not shocking or not open- ing the eyes of the young person, The drama to be vital and interesting must THE BLASE SOLDIER BOY Fay Jacobs’ own uncle is running the show, That's how she gets by in the very front row Quite nice for Miss Jacobs, but tough, I should ¢ On us, who give two plunks to sit and watch Fay. elementary human emo- tions and passions. Not all of these are commonly exposed to the eyes of the young or discussed in their pres. ence. To rob the theatre of the use of these subjects would be to take from it some of its greatest plays, both classic and modern. In the lighter forms of tage entertainment the same principle holds true. But it is also a fact that aS our theatres are conducted to-day there are altogether too many presenta- tions that reasonable parents might rea- sonably object to. Coarseness is more frequently exploited than actual immoral- ity, but there is too much of both At the same time the den of caution ie on the shoulders of the parents, and Lire has maintained that, with the doors of our wide open to any young girl with the price of a niatinee ticket, it was the duty of parents to look closely into the theatregoing of their young people. It is in line with this caution that our correspondent wishes to be informed. The wish is a reasonable one and Lire: tries to comply with it, perhaps in not precisely the way deal with always. theatres comicbooks.com