Life — October 18, 1917 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Anything to Amuse" - Life Magazine Page This page contains a romantic comedy sketch about a young man proposing to his girlfriend before taking her to meet his family. The humor centers on generational differences in courtship and entertainment. The dialogue reveals that the protagonist's parents frequently attend movies for amusement—a modern entertainment habit the younger generation considers somewhat embarrassing and old-fashioned. The girlfriend worries about making a good impression, while the young man must propose before introducing her to his family to secure their approval. The two illustrations show typical early 20th-century domestic scenes: the regimental procession at top depicts soldiers, while the lower cartoon shows a couple in a parlor setting, captioned "Taking One Out of One's Self"—likely referencing courtship rituals and the novelty of cinema as popular entertainment for all social classes.