Life, 1911-01-26 · page 11 of 44
Life — January 26, 1911 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes a poorly-received theatrical production. The image shows a soap box surrounded by various farm animals (chickens, roosters, cats, dogs), with a mother pig sniffing at it. The title references "Chanticler," a play that apparently was a critical and commercial failure. The accompanying text criticizes the play's advertising as "insane and silly," quoting negative reviews from major newspapers. Critics complained the audience "roared with derision" and left the theater. The soap box label is likely a pun—the animals gathering around it suggest both the farm setting of the play and the slang meaning of "soap box" (ranting or preaching). The satire mocks both the failed production and its desperate advertising attempts.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MOTHER WENT TO SEE “ CHANTECLER” How to Fix Up Advertising for Plays Nore—In advertisements use only the words in large type. HE poorest attempt of the season WAS A GLORIOUS TRIUMPH compared to the inane and silly concoction preduced last night called “Zu Zu's Uncle.” Evening Bum When the full extent of the insult to the intelligence of playgoers was realized, THE AUDIENCE SIMPLY ROARED with derision and left the theatre en masse during the second act. New York Slimes. This awful thing called “Zu Zu’s Uncle” is not WORTH SEEING. Evening Pink ’Un, Before the curtain rose for the second act an announce- ment was made that Mr. Blucnose, the headline comedian, would not be able to continue on account of having dislocated his jaw—THE WHOLE HOUSE SCREAMED WITH DE- LIGHT. Evening Ghost. We would advise those who are about to witness this punk thing called “Zu Zu’s Uncle” to go armed with assorted vegetables, and when Mr. Biuenose in Act I sticks his head out from under the bed in Zu Zu’s flat, take good aim and DON'T MISS IT! Jollier’s Weekly. The speculator nuisance has reached the limit at the Lingerie Theatre, where “Zu Zu's Uncle” is dragging out the week, many of them getting so bold and rapacious as to FOLLOW THE CROWDS along Broadway in front of the theatre, using threatening and abusive language and even attempting personal violence. The Morning Wolf. A New Order Lo“ CLERICAL: May I ask to which religious de- nomination you subscribe? Newcomer: I'm an Asbestologist Locat Cuericau: And what, pray, do they believe? Newcomer: That if one sins often enough the soul be- comes fireproof. comicbooks.com