Life, 1909-10-21 · page 22 of 32
Life — October 21, 1909 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **promotional page** for Life magazine's upcoming Halloween-themed issue. The centerpiece features a large decorative "S" with a rat climbing it, announcing a "Spook's Number" coming the following week. The satire works on two levels: 1. **Halloween Promotion**: The page teases a special Halloween issue featuring ghost stories ("Shivering Shades / In the Everglades") designed to frighten readers—the tagline promises "You'll be Afraid to go Home in the Dark." 2. **Subscription Pitch**: Disguised within the spooky theme is a direct sales appeal ("OBEY THAT IMPULSE!"), pressuring readers to subscribe by claiming they get premium pictures and prestige. The phrase itself is somewhat mocking—the magazine is self-aware about its aggressive marketing tactics. The lower section humorously "buries" overused phrases from Life's advertising copy, poking fun at their own editorial clichés. This is primarily a **sales-focused advertising page** rather than political satire, using Halloween theatricality to drive subscriptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Tt sounds good to me." The Shivering Shades In the Everglades Who have left this world of strife, And humorous hosts Of gibbering ghosts Are coming —in next week's LIFE! SOON: Nov. 4 —Thanksgiving Number. Nov. 11—\ Regular (unless something turns up). Nov. 18—Musical (we are tuning up for it now) Nov. 25—A\ Regular (maybe). Dec. 2—-Christmas (a wonder). Dec. 9- Book. NEXT WEEK When You See It You'll be Afraid to go Home in the Dark OBEY THAT IMPULSE! city « We hate to mention it again,- but —are you a regular sub- scriber? Only cost youa five. What is Life without Lire? You get a premium picture with your subscription, be- sides all the prestige. Better obey that impulse. Apropos of this 1 friend sends us this REQUIESCAT IN PACE INGRATITUDE THY NAME IS LIFE Two phrases that we have decided to bury. They are They died a natural and inevitable death in this page in the recent past jong and useful live oward tl O Lire, you're foe th they were worked to death, We shall mise ¢ them in the futare y were tried and trusted cov thei loss will be the reader's «: Recent announcement in Life's" Ad pace. Jean Wright. comicbooks.com