Life, 1913-09-11 · page 14 of 44
Life — September 11, 1913 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents a satirical illustration and accompanying text about modern dance in 1920s America. The cartoon depicts two figures balanced on a fallen log over water, with the caption "GEORGE, DEAR, DO BE CAREFUL WITH THE LUNCH." The illustration and letter satirize the Tango and contemporary "high-society" dances becoming fashionable in places like Fifth Avenue and Newport. The correspondent describes learning various dance styles and critiques how wealthy New Yorkers adopt these dances as status symbols while dismissing them as entertainment for the poor. The satire targets class hypocrisy: the wealthy practice dances associated with working-class venues and immigrants (the Bowery, Japanese dance halls), while maintaining social superiority. The precarious log-balancing metaphor suggests the danger of these social pretensions and the absurdity of fashionable excess during this period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“GEORGE, DEAR, DO BE CAREFUL WITH THE LUNCH” “If I learned any more dances I should become a Geisha, which are less proper,” I renig shyly while eloping away from her armful with talented dodges. When I was hiding behind palum trees where she could not see me I watched considerable turkey-trottery, bunny-huggery etc with cyes full of science. Dignified home-made Japanese was making roof-garden loops with their legs in such a way their wife & children would feel siprised. Arthur Kickahajama, missionary boy, were doing sidewise catch-and-let-go dance with Miss Mamie Furacki, After that actions I could not see how he ever could look a Y. M. C, A, in the face again. First they glid together with expression of happy crabs, then they made a twillup, two cross-legs & 3 bounces. This was followed by clutches. “They are dancing Tango,” pro- nounce Sydney Katsu, Jr, who was floorwalking like a committee. “What slum teaches persons dance like that?” I abject doggishly. ‘Sometimes Bowery, sometimes Fifth Avenue,” he report for tone of high-social. “Do Fifth Avenue permit the Bowery to teach them depravity?” I require. “Ah no!” ollicute Sydney. “ Fifth Avenue are teaching the Bowery. Vices are like other kinds of furniture. Rich folks uses them first and only pass them on to poor folks when they are second hand. Thusly the slums are seldom safe.” “After Tango is finished what new dance will explode in the Smarty Set?" are next question for me. “Not sure,” Sydney say so with Harry Leer eyebrows. “Last week I hear how some high-style Newporters had gone ‘to Africa for try dancing with some cannibles what knew some deliciously low down steps. But after the first dance they had to quit because they was ashamed.” “Who was ashamed—the Newport- ers?” “No, the cannibles,” notate Sydney Katsu, Jr., looking like he was pre- pared to be raided by police. Hoping you are the same, Yours truly, Hasnimura Toco. (Per Wallace Irwin.) comicbooks.com