Life, 1910-05-19 · page 19 of 40
Life — May 19, 1910 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes the **Theatrical Trust**, a monopoly controlling theater bookings that had recently collapsed. The image depicts a crocodile (labeled "Croco," likely representing the Trust's predatory nature) in a dental chair, while a dentist (possibly representing reformers or competitors) prepares to extract its teeth—a metaphor for dismantling the monopoly's power. The caption quotes the dentist advising the crocodile to "take gas" (anesthesia) because "the trouble is so deep seated"—a pun suggesting the Trust's entrenched control over theatrical "time" (booking slots). The accompanying text argues for establishing an open "theatrical exchange" where theater time could be traded freely, like commodities in legitimate markets, rather than through monopolistic control. The cartoonist ridicules the Trust's grip on the industry while advocating for transparent, competitive business practices in theater management.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
iY HLS L PARLOR see Ao NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES “THE TROUBLE IS SO DEEP SEATED, MR. CROCO, I THINK 1T bar her too studied delivery, was entirely charming when she was permitted to be. Mabel Bert made an attractive and distinguished subject for the revival of Belden’s younger af- fections and Elinor McEwen a highly intelligent maid. “Her Husband's Wife'’ is a cheerful comedy, and is warranted not to bore its hearers. In fact, it is far more likely to entertain them thoroughly, g 9 9 9 2 HE downfall of the Theatrical Trust should mean the abolition for all time of a monopoly in the booking of attractions, This was the basis of the old tyranny and made possible the innumerable evils for which it was responsible. Theatrical “time’’ is a commodity which should be dealt in openly. Owners of theatri- cal real estate and those who manage it have had some pretty bitter experiences, enough, one would imag- ine, to teach them to keep out of entangling alliances. New York is the centre of the trade in this commodity and even- tually there should be located here a theatrical exchange or board of trade where “time’’ as well as other theatrical necessitics could be dealt in with the same freedom and on the same business principles as other things that are bought and sold in the open market. Metcalfe. WOULD BE ADVISABLE FOR YOU TO TAKE GAS."” CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE Academy of Music—Rose Stahl in “ The Chorus Lady.” document of professional life. Astor— ven Days.” Cor __ Bijow—" The Lottery Man.” irresistible laughter. _ Broadway—" The Jolly Bachelors.” kind, well produced. | Criterion—" A Bachelor's Baby. ing comedy with himself as the star, Daly's—Mr. De Wolf Hopper in musical features. Fairly amusing. Empire—" Caste.” Agreeable old comedy, pleasantly acted Garrick— Her Husband's Wife,” with Mr. Henry Miller as the star, See above. Globe— The Old Town.” Conventional musical farce enlivened by Mr. Fred Stone's acrobatic fan. _ Hackett—* The City.”. Powerful drama of our own day by Clyde Fitch, Herald Square—“Tillie's Nightmare,” Dressler as See above. Hippodrome—Spectacle, ballet and the midgets in circus. Hudson—"* The Spendthri: ‘The, extravagance of the Ameri- terestingly exploited as dramatic theme. "The Spitfire.” Rather amusing mixture of comedy drama. Lyric—Revival of “Jim the Penman,” with “all star” cast Notice later. Marine Elliott’s—“ Lulu's Husbands,” by Mr. chanan, Summer farce, a bit flashy but laughable. Nasimovo—" Little Eyolf,” with Mme. Nazimova, partly poctis and partly symbolic, but never cheerful. Wallack’s—" has “Jimmy Valentine.” Clever and interesting melodrama with teformed convict as hero. Weber's—Revival of the charming and pathetic musical piece. “The Climax.” Human inuous farce. Yellow journal scheme turned into Musical farce of the usual Mr. Francis Wilson's divert A Matinee Idol." Farce with with Madame Marie Thompson Bu: Ibsen drama, comicbooks.com