Life, 1919-01-16 · page 21 of 34
Life — January 16, 1919 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes William Randolph Hearst, the powerful newspaper magnate and theatrical patron. The image depicts a large, menacing figure (Hearst, identifiable by his prominence in the text) surrounded by smaller figures carrying flags labeled with theatrical terms like "Vaudeville" and "Box." The satire critiques Hearst's control and influence over New York theater. The "reception committee" joke suggests that theater managers, actors, and industry figures are forced to serve Hearst's interests rather than operating independently. The dark, oversized central figure represents Hearst's outsized power to dominate and shape the theatrical world according to his preferences. The surrounding text reviews current Broadway productions, providing context that this was a period when wealthy patrons like Hearst significantly influenced what shows succeeded or failed in New York theaters—a form of cultural gatekeeping that Life magazine's editors viewed as problematic.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SUGGESTION FOR A RECEPTION COMMITTEE TO SERVE WITIL WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEAKST puts a crimp in the practices of theatrical nagers who aided and abetted in the swindling of their patrons. The public will now have a fair amount of protection if the swindlers do not find ame legal flaw in the ordinance and if h district courts and the ull duty, The public it self will be to blame if the law becomes ttorney’s office do their a dead letter. In protecting themselves New Yorkers are also protecting out-of town regoers, who are mostly re thing bad about the New tres, on and off the stage. It s possible that even they, in their cagerness to sce only certain shows, may not be able to break the protection now provided for Astor.—" Fast Is West man and Hymer, with F nit novel i study. of the bachelor y Messrs. fainter its settin sexual habits of Sleeping Partners.” Sacha Guitty. Mr. HL BL Warner.” The predatory methods of the Parisian bachelor ittily demonstrated, Booth,—Closed. Broadhurst. —" The Melting of Molly,” by ies, Smith and others, See above. Casino — * by Young and Frim Agreeable girl-and-inusic show of the usual type tral. — “Somebody's Sweetheart,” by Messrs. Price and Bafunno. Operetta en- livened by Century d Harris . Kelly violin playing of Nonette. —Cabaret antidote to mid “Three Faces East.” Stirring spy drama, well Closed “The Retter “Ole.” by Messes, ather and Eliot. Laughable and well ramatization of the artist's war draw rion.—" Three, Wise Fools,” by Mr Austin Str Triple demonstration of the ing qualities of some elderly New Y nge—" U Mabel’s Room." Notice ater Empire." Dear Rratus."" by Sir J. M. Rarrie, with Mr. William Gillette. Curious midsummer fantasy uniquely staged played. Forty-fourth Street. —“ Miss Simplicity, 93 Y by Young and Barrett. music show. Forty-fourth Street Roof.—Norah Mayes i “Ladies First.” The star and a 1 con pany dispensing a « of f Forty-cighth_ Street. —" The by “Messrs. Morris and Mack. — Interesting and well acted dramatic study of the effect n character Repertory of French plays hy Excellent of ities Diverting girl.a Fulton, —" The | Ri Mme. Rertha Kalich, Danish drama mail with the star in all her foreign b Smith and F The fen ife in Rene ina highly amusing Mr Harris, ter Hackett Henry M Howe. | Se Hippode and ballet 0} cts, Hudson.—" Friendl Shipman and Hoff: Martin and Speetacte ed hy vaude hy Messre Manu ing the recent wa man birth Lit “A Rachel Crothers car comedy Mr. Willian compelling star and good cor Aineric medy Lyceum.— "by Mr. John L. Hobble, Well f the Fren orphan’s sof fect on the heart of the American bachel: Lyrie.—" The Unknown Purple.” by Moss stand Moore. Interesting ‘crime mel) drama, novel Manhattan.—Mr. Chauncey Oleott in“ The Voice of McConnell.” by Mr ore M. Cohan, An excellent and. late vehicle for the star’s voice and Marine Elliott's. —" Mr. KC. Me Poli very witty and well playe Lite ney.” by Amusing sleeping “ Nothing tut Lies. with Collier, The always) langh any in Tight ting abilities a for Three.” American com Morosco.—Closed. Park,Re comique. by rs. Well w Mr. Owen Davis, with Alice Rr 1 timental drama with a bioned uch of the recent eouth, ni's “* Redemption with Mr. John Rarrymore. Heavy Russian drama some remarkably good acting by the Messrs “Oh, My Dear." t h Small-scale nd Hirsch emusic show Florence Reed in.“ Roads Unusual but interesting dram of the inevitable methods of F yn—" The Crowded Hour." by Messrs, and Pollock, with Jane Cowl War ased on. the ¢ a Macterlinck’s Mic set poetic and symbolic fairy play cep Tt to Your: French by Mr Adapted from the See above Emily $i s in The Gen- by Rita We n. The and monstrat roles truth that’ intersracial mar he for hay inter Garden. —" Sin getting just kind of tainment he enjoys and deserves. Ziegfeld's Frolics.—A proof that while some persons. sleep others are willing to pay for and enjoy cabaret performances, The t bin comicbooks.com