Life, 1911-04-27 · page 21 of 44
Life — April 27, 1911 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American anxieties about Latin American political instability. The main cartoon, titled "According to Law," depicts a tiny man in formal dress sitting atop an enormous spherical figure labeled as representing a Latin American nation or its government. The visual joke works through scale disparity: the small figure represents the nominal leader or "dictator," while the massive body beneath suggests the uncontrollable, bloated nature of Latin American political systems. The man appears precarious, holding on rather than commanding. This relates directly to the text's discussion of William Collier's revival of "The Dictator," a farce about Latin American instability. The accompanying text mentions "the revolutionary habit on the part of our national neighbors to the south"—referencing frequent coups and political upheaval in Central/South America, a consistent source of American satire and concern during this period. The cartoon mocks how nominal leaders appear insignificant against the chaotic forces they supposedly control—a commentary on Latin American governance that was standard fare in early-20th-century American satirical magazines.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
by of ke- res. His HE permanence of the revolutionary habit on the part of our national neighbors to the south and the unfailing power of Mr. William Collier to bring his present moment make Mr. Richard Harding Davis's farce, “The Dictator,” as funny to-day in revival as it was when it was first produced several years ago. Farces have a way of quickly becoming old- fashioned and it is rare that one can be witnessed after an interval without a feeling that the playgoer has either out- grown it or that it was not really as funny as it seemed at first. “The Dic- tator” scems to be an exception to this rule and its resurrection appears to be entirely justified. Metcalfe. Life’s Confidential Guide to gths, Theatres Astor—" What the Doctor Ordered.” No. tice later. Belasco—" The Concert.” Ridicule of the musician-worshipping woman in a well-staged Ordinary melo- athe * The Confession.” ing the sanctity of the Ri sional_as its main theme. “Browdeaye The HenPecka Me, Lew ls and large company in elaborate mu: show, “Casino—" The Balkan Princess.” MHunga- music and fairly clever book in dashing “Get Rich Quick Wallingford.” The confidence gare, its workers and its vic tims turned nto Comedy—Me. William Collier in_a revival of his former ‘comedy success, “The Dicta- ‘ce abov is." The novel and opera and the woman of Alex- to spectacular and fairly THE NOTE THAT WAS OUTLAWED humor always up to the - ACCORDING TO LAW Daly's—Mr, Robert Mantel in Shakes ean reperto See above. Empire—Mr. Gillette in repertory of old successes. “The last week of his continu. ous farewell. Folies Bergéres—Vaudeville. Notice later. Gaiety—" Excuse Me.” Railroad passen- on a transcontinental express turned in frughable farce, Garden—Mildred Holland in repertory popular prices. Globe—Nora Bayes and Mr. Jack Norworth in “Little Miss Fix-It.” Slim farce with two or three good songs. Herald Square—" Everywoma: temptations of woman set forth spectacul and impressively in modern, morality pla Hiprodrome—Ballet and circus and“ March. "the last a spectacle ing Through Georgia of Civil War times. Hudson—" Nobody's Widow." Blanche Rates head’ a good company in agreeable American comed; Knickerbocker—"“ Dr. De Luxe.” Notice later, ‘¢eum—Mrs, Fiske in “ Mrs. Bumpstead- Leg’ Amuning eomely “wih American Fiske in a con- genial Lyric—Closed for rehearscls of the fine old melodrama, “The Lights of London,” with an “all star” cast. Majest Baby M The Ia possibilities of new m: ife in well-wr ten farcical comedy. , Me. Deen Purple. als and their way in well- acted melo Nazim a Man Thirks."” Mr, Jack Mason as the iet ng play t Mr, Augustus Thomas in wh he plot h: vals to permit of the discussion of the m of the Jew in Ame house— Over Night.’ farce with 1 tendency toward the imp Republic—Last week of “Th Way.” Well “staged and, interest dealing with life in New York's —Mabel Hite in ¢ later. Weber's—" The London Follies.” Notice later, ; Winter Garden—Musical show and yaude- ville, not remarkably good but plenty of both. Not remarkable oper pper slums. A Certain