Life, 1918-08-29 · page 25 of 34
Life — August 29, 1918 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American mobilization during World War I (1917-1919) by presenting the war effort itself as a theatrical production. The "playbill" on the right mocks how the government packaged patriotic messaging for public consumption. The satire targets: - **Financial exploitation**: "Keep the Treasury Brimming" suggests endless war-funding demands - **Propaganda theater**: Military bands, patriotic songs ("We're Fighting and We'll Win"), and staged heroism - **Casualty euphemism**: "The Red Cross Takes a Big Part of Hell / Out of War" darkly jokes about casualties - **Military absurdity**: "Making the Huns Holey" (puns on killing) and "Triumphant Return from Berlin" (premature victory claims) The bottom cartoon about Luther Burbank developing a "milk-weed" when "milk is so high" references wartime inflation and food shortages—another critique of war's domestic hardships. The left side lists baby naming donations, suggesting Life magazine's simultaneous role as both satirist and participant in patriotic fundraising.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
CHAKLOTTE GAURY, DERTHE MEQUET, BABY BAnY 1206 AND HER MOTHER Montana Club,” Helena, und Mrs. Leroy G. Denman, San Antonio. Texas, for i Mrs. Angus H. Melcon, Vera Cruz, Mexico, sic L. Scott, Yakima, Wash.” for Ba and Mrs. Herbert E. Harris, J 9 2983 : ceeds of a clam bake at “ Cam Farmer, Boston, Mass.. for Raby.) BS ca cs Aibert E. Cluett, Troy, N.Y. Babies Nos, Matagrin, Montreal, Canada, for Baby No. 2 Mont., for Rabies Nos. 2960 a 265, VALENTINE GEFFKOY, Baby 2389 Baby No. h’ Africa, for Babies Nos. 29) of Co. G. and their friends,” Philipsburg, Pa., through Mis or Baby No. 2087 Wi New York. N vt Hoe and Mes. J. BL Purcell, Hunt n D., for No, 2994 nels H. |» Bosto chert Co Wright S. T.." Honolulu, : St. Gaudens Club, Long Beach. Kineo, Maine. $2; Mrs. Henry D. lover of France.” New York’ Cit: y Mrs. Mrs. J.S. Hawley, Jr. San Dieg 3; Eleanor clair, NL J. $73. WeNts ox Accoust: M. L. Hugh haville, Tenn. ; Hodges and Sproles, Greenw a Church of App $6.10; Mrs Daube Northampte pi, New York ( Northboro, Mass., thr Cody, Wyo., $23; W. 4 RABY NUMBER 20. Lockport, New York: mont, Cal Newton Centre, Mass. RARY NUMBER 2076 + John Briggs, Newton Centre, Mass in L. DeSaulles, BABY NUMBER 2002 FE. PL A. Washington, D, C...escseee eee Miss“ Hettie Sibley, Birmingham, Ala. +2. John Shugert HL Hon Charlotte Pe ‘ew Bedford, Peyton, N and Katherine T., $3; Mrs. R. W, Jones, Grenada, . $6; The ladies of the , Pittsburgh. P: Miss Avis Cleland. 313 The Uncle Sam War Theatre For 11, Years 1917-18-19 (And as much longer as necessary) Overture Marching Through Woodrow Wilson Military Band Brownixc & Lewis In Their Great Tragedy Hell's Hot Hail Mr. Mexyvoices His Irresistible Financial Monologue Keep the Treasury Brimming C. Bernuenest Scuwan An Original One-Min Playtet Building Ships While You Wait Mechanical 4 Mate. Sockes & Mute. Sweatenes A Musical Finger Act Click-Click Tue Sorpier-Saitox-Marine- Aviator Quaxterte In Their Rousing Song We're Fighting and We'll Win Tue Famous Winte Srsters In the Heart-Surring Drama The Red Cross Takes a Big Part of Hell Out of War 7 Tur Gtoastic Coremera Cuorvs (Accompanied by all the pianos, organs, drums, cornets, trombones and other musical instruments in the country) In Their Repertoire of Patriot Selections Gexerat Duty & Co, fheir Convincing Bayonet Play Making the Huns Holey rxit Triumphant Return from Berlin. ..... Woodrow Wilson Military Band IF BURBANK WOULD DEVELOP THE MILK- WEED, NOW THAT MILK IS SO HIGH comicbooks.com