Life, 1910-04-21 · page 18 of 44
Life — April 21, 1910 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Reno, Nevada's notorious divorce industry in the early 20th century. The main cartoon depicts a wealthy woman obtaining a divorce with stunning ease and cynicism. She admits she married for money, has no genuine grievance against her husband beyond his name being "vulgar," and immediately expects to remarry—all while demanding $5,000 monthly alimony ($180,000+ today). The satire targets the absurdity of Reno's lenient divorce laws, which attracted wealthy Americans seeking quick separations. The woman's shallow materialism and the judge's casual processing of her case mock both frivolous divorces and gold-digger culture. A secondary scene ridicules the system's class disparities: an "Indian squaw" also obtains divorce but receives nothing, highlighting how Reno's accommodations served the wealthy elite. The bottom joke about "prude" definitions extends the critique of modern morality and changing social values.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Out in Reno courtroom. Judge Haughty lady on wit Blank Soe presiding ness stand. Name and Mrs. Ira Idress? Kissam, Question Answer. Hotel Q. Former residence A. New Yawk—Riverside Q. Why do you wish to obtain a di vorce? A. (shrugging shoulders) Riverside Drive One must be in the swim, you know Q. Then you wish to further your so cial bitions? A. Why. else foreign atmosphere Q. How te A ix months and ten minutes. oT What ance against your husband ? A. Grievance! [am not the wife of would one endure the of Reno? have you been here? nough is the griev a laborer, sir! Q. But you must have sor Does your hushand beat you? A. Frequently Q. Does he drink? A. Certainly! Q. Does he use He is a gentleman loud and unbecoming language ? A. I could not say Q. Surely, you must know that A. Really, J very little him. You see, he is not in my set Q. Does he sup know about t you? A. I believe so. Some bills, 1 details, Q. So far you have g one pays the never annoy myself with such en no reas for divo: What is y Kissam ? unnoys me able ground objection 10 Mr A. His ni thing be more disgustingly vulgar? Q. Did you know, at the time of your Could any- was Kissam then marriage at his n: A. (sighing). tic had money Q. It docs make a difference. Mr. Kissam ind 1 really Does nities °*? never exerted myself to Cindign Q. Calm very sad case of How Certainly not yourself Jam. This is a neglect and much extreme cruelty alimony do you wish? * A. Live simply. $5,000 a month will do. Judge. Decree granted. Witness dis missed. A. (rising) oblige me by Very well! You will handing me the papers as soon as possible. My fiancé is impatient, Judge. Ah! A fiancé? pect to remarry? A. Certainly Judge. Cor second plunge first A. Perhaps. One Good day, (Exit.) Then you ex He is a lovely boy. atulations. Hope your be happier than your never can tell. Judge, Next! the stand.) Q. Name? A. Red Star. Ungh Q. Husband's name? A, Bad Egg. Ungh! Q. What is the matter with Bad E; A. Much Ungh! Q. Is that all? A. No papoose. Me Ungh Judge. missed. (Indian squaw booze. Brave no good want pap Decree granted. Witness dis. Clerk. Your Honor is wanted at the "phone. Judge. Hello! Yes. this is Judge Blank, Mrs. Ura Colonial Apartments? What can I do for you? what kind do you want? Ab $2.50: ited, $1.08, Very well. Do you ant it sent C. O. D.? All right, it will he there by dinner-time. What? Send over with it? All right to-night? Well, congratula the license Going away tions! Good-by. Judge. Court is adjourned testing (Exit pro- attorneys and disappointed women.) Leslie Curtis. wie is a pro@e?" 1 maid Engaged in merry, wordy strife “A prude,"’ the little id replied, “Is one who disagrees with Lire.” asked a comicbooks.com