Life, 1912-06-27 · page 24 of 45
Life — June 27, 1912 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the absurdity of modern opera by mocking its pretentious fusion with lowbrow American culture. "Bhartenda" parodies contemporary operatic trends (attributed to Debussy and Puccini) by inserting a ridiculous plot—a sheriff, a criminal, and a girl in a roadhouse between Paris and Omaha—filled entirely with German beer-hall vocabulary, ethnic stereotypes, and nonsensical Wagner references. The joke targets both opera's self-seriousness and American audiences' fascination with "high culture." Characters speak in exaggerated German-accented English ("Vat iss?" "Hoch der Kaiser"), singing about Lager beer, Tammany Hall, and Budweiser instead of noble themes. The absurd casting (Enrico Caruso as the Sheriff) and random gunfire at the climax further mock the genre's dramatic conventions. The accompanying "Landlubber" cartoon shows a working-class fisherman's tall tale—a simple visual joke about exaggeration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A LANDLUBBER “on, MOTHER! TREMENJUS WHALE OR SOMETHIN’ NOT MORE THAN A Bhartenda Custrating the tendency of modern opera. Words by H. P. Music by Debussy-Puccini) CAST-OFF CHARACTERS Ein Sheriff. Der Krimi Das Bharten Die Girl, Mme. Common (or Garden) Das Mob.............. Stagehands (Scene: Roadhouse between Paris Omaha. Nervous and long-haire music. Enter Sheriff. Busi- ness of singing) Suerirr: Oh, Hoboken Singenbund. Oh, Paterson Turnverein. Oh, Pas- saic Maennerchor. Blutwurst und Pumpernickel ! BHARTENDA: gen, j. p. morgen. johann w. gat Sueriee (drinks Italian accent): mein Hund herum. Staats-Zeitung. {. Carouso «MM. Bunchy ..M, von Blooy Vat iss? Guten mor- Wie geht’s? und nervously, with Ugotte quitkichen Hoch der Kaiser, AS TWAS LOOKIN’ OVER THE BACK PENCE JUST NOW I SAW A AN’ A HALF AWAY.” BLOCK Kriminal with pursued ex- pression) Krimina Lager, bierfest, stein, schoppen! Berlin, Munich, Breslau. Weber and Fields. Amanthe was wagen. Buartenva-Suerirr (duct by both together): Schwitzer kase. Donner und blitzen. Potash ds perlmutter. Zwei bier. Vot yor Dichs und Rosen- veldt? Girt. (outside, with signs of ap- froaching): Pigsknuckles und sauer- kraut. Also Louis Mann. Hoch der jooelrie. Vorthe luve mich, Mutt! Kriainat (drawing three revol- (Enter, ers): Muenchener und Goethe. Und Wagner. Suerire: Hans Wagner? Boston habe. Mei hatt is in Kriminat: Hans auf! I dein an budweiser. der ring. (Enter girl mit hobbled skirt) Girt: Mein! Mein! O, goldmein! Buartenna-Girt-Suerire Trio (as though accidental): Jungefrauenzim- merdurchschwindtsuchtoedtungs - geg - Zwei bier. Vots vor wim- enverein men. Gétterdimmerung, und Tann- hautser. Buartenva (business of getting ex- cited) : Offizier, calle kopp! Suerirr: Igottsche Stev! Qvartette: Ratshaus! Bierhaus! Hofbrau! Bierhalle! Tammanihall Suerire (relenting): Oscar Ham- werstein! ( Shoots Kriminal.) Buartexva — (peevishly Meistersinger! Schuetzenfest! Sheriff.) Girt. (regretfully) : Os-car! car! Trollecar! Kraze katt! Bhartenda.) Girt (duet) : Wasser mazzer wizzer? O mein Gott! O biltaft! Leaver or Orcitestra: Gesundheit! (Shoots Girl.) CURTAIN, Oscar Shoots Mota- (Shoots Advertisement OST, Strayed or Stolen—A Gov- ernor. When last seen was run- ring for office on the strength of a successful business career, many beau- tiful promises and a large quantity of Lope. The records seem to show that he was successful at the election, but has not since been heard of. Above medium height, with a suspicion of portliness. Answers to the name of Dix. Finder will return to. Charles I. Murphy, care State Capitol, \bany, please A SEA PUSS comicbooks.com