Life, 1914-10-01 · page 26 of 48
Life — October 1, 1914 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical "Letters" column featuring a Japanese schoolboy's observations of American life. The humor relies on broken English and cultural misunderstandings common to early 20th-century American comedy. The main joke concerns a Broadway play called "Perlash & Pottmutter"—appearing to reference Jewish characters (the OCR mentions "Jewish superiority"). The schoolboy and his cousin Nogi debate whether attending is worthwhile, comparing theatrical "intoxication" to actual drunkenness at cheaper saloons. The left cartoon shows a man in top hat (likely representing a Western seducer) with a woman, captioned "I am looking for honest gals!"—playing on stereotypes about Western moral corruption. The satire mocks both the Japanese visitors' literal-minded confusion about theatrical metaphor AND American theatrical pretensions. The continued reference to a movie theater's sensational advertising ("The Drug Fiend's Saturday Night") underscores the irony: high-minded intellectual claims mask commercial exploitation. This reflects early 1900s attitudes: ethnic humor, theatrical criticism, and fascination with "exotic" foreign perspectives.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
582 “LIF E° Letters of a Japanese School-boy Moving Picture Shows To Editor “ Life Picture Paper” kindly containing type to explain so all fami- lies can join at once in laughter, EAR MR SIR:— Maybe you obtained information in theatrical news, Mr Editor, how of recently there developed into this Na- tion one play of Jewish superiority entitle “ Perlash & Pottmutter”. Hon. Jas Meatealf of your own drama dept. or else some other lover of Broadway say so in recent editorial about this play “it contains consider- able wet stimulation resembling beer: it are a sort of Hebrewery”. Therefore when “ Perlash & Pott- mutter” arrive up to town me & cousin Nogi think maybe we should go. “Considerable critick say it contain joy resembling alcohol,” explan Nogi who came. “How much price it cost to see?" I obligate. “1$ each to stand up,” Nogi shatter. “Tocan stand up to saloon bar for considerable less,” I contuse, “That play, even if intoxicating, can only last Ro “Tam looking for honest gels!" “You are a nutty!” one (1) evening. I am acquainted with places where I can remain drunk for one week hy merely spending 92c.” “So shock!" my cousin corrode with Y. M. C. A. elbows. “When I speak of theatrical play making drunk I merely mean intellectual jazgery which makes the soul hiceu whiskey is involved. Your legs are not touched, It is merely your brains that hang against lamp-post.” “Ah well!” I collapse with Scottish expression of finance, “if it are intel- lectual cocktails we needs, I know where it can be obtained twice as strong for toc.” So I lead him forthly to very electric front door by street where ticket- maiden sat amidst glass selling it. Over that door was considerable red words saying following inflamed truth: BYJEW THE Emorion Pictures * The Drug Fiend’s Saturday Night!!” “A Drama of Home Lifet!!!” I look slightly thrilled while buying 20¢ of tickets from that maiden inside glass yet she seemed less so. Me & Nogi encroach into theatre (Continued on page so: comichooks.comm LY EARN, |