Life, 1920-03-04 · page 62 of 78
Life — March 4, 1920 — page 62: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical comics and an advertisement typical of early 20th-century American humor. **The Comics:** - "An Alter-War Bride" satirizes post-WWI marriage customs through a farcical scene where a judge performs a hasty ceremony - "Frowns of Fortune" uses racist dialect humor (common then, offensive now) depicting Black soldiers receiving bad news from home—one received a "Dear John" letter, another was drafted despite claiming exemption - "Had a Grievance" jokes about marital shortcomings - "The New Poor" references post-war economic hardship, with someone selling off clothing due to financial distress **The Advertisement:** The large bottom section promotes Life Savers candy mints, using humorous verse to encourage smokers to carry them to mask tobacco breath. The page reflects 1920s attitudes: post-WWI disillusionment, racial stereotyping presented as entertainment, and consumer culture. Most jarring to modern readers is the casual racist caricature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ok S AU T SCISSORS Frowns of Fortune “= : It was in the Argonne. A regiment of = oi) j . ’ negro pioneers from Dixie who had be pa | AUT NuLLus 4 Z inducted into the service had rie ~ ; , ceived a batch of mail. But neither Jef ‘ : / ferson Madison Monroe nor bis particy An Alter-War Bride ; iit Gey lar side kick, Washington Jones, was A returned soldier and his sweetheart i j manifesting any great elation. In fact called ona judge to marry ‘th The , | ey they both looked decidedly in the dumps judge married them, and, rently i Al “Wash,” mourned Jefferson, " I'se the satisfied with his work, he said to Vic ai hard Ty est nigger what was ever, | “Salute the bride.” For an instant the Ye done just got a letter from mah gal, ard Ae was flustered. Then he took two 7, xe she's gone and went and married an he rear, came to a distinct h we A j other.” clicked els together and gave Mrs ihe Y I " * Oh, man, man!" wailed Wash. “You Vic one of the “ doughboys’ finest.” “Ob { . ait i f don't know what hard luck Me, 1 well, | guess that will have to do,” six 7 ye, i just Kot a letter from the draf board as he signed the license. b aE what says I'm exempt!” Had a Grevance £ a 4 The New Poor shall complain to the floorwalker é “Good morning, madam. 1 deal ia at you,” said the irate shopper 3 ; 1 fe ist-off clothing.” “LT have no doubt he will agree with ‘ z “Oh, how lucky! Do you think yo everything you say,” answered the sales- = have anything that would suit my bos lady, wearily - mee band? "—Punch. Ah! Then he is acquainted with . . your shortcomings?” GOODNESS, MOTHER, THAT'LL RE A MANDY DRESS Ay maitevellaracrer: te: aowsetinenvea “He thinks he is. He's my husband WHEN YOUR BACK ITcHES!” in: his-wife’s face Birmingham Age-Herald —Florence (Mass.) Bulletin Live is publi jay. simultaneously in the United States, Great Britain, The foreign trade supplied from Live's London Office, Rolls House, Canada and British Poss Title registered in U. S. Patent Office. $5.00 a year ings, London, E. C. Canadian distributor, J. R. Tanguay, 386-388 St in advance. Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal Union, $1.04 a year; Montreal, Canada. to Canada, $2 gle current ! Back numbers, after three months No contributions twill be returned unless accompanied by stamped and edéve free stioa. of pint 7 ve docs not hold itself responsible for the loss or non-return of w con print Rights in Great Britain Notice of chance of adi NBNLG’FaGEN ANG a EES tew BbNs. toe te Bet apply to Live, Rolls House, idings, Fetter Lane, London, E, C., England. issue to be of ected a eae ANG REE ARRAS nem deg fee iei hee Holey smokes, butt Life Savers do chase that tobacco-ey taste and leave your breath sweet as a May morn. Never start to smoke without a packet in your pocket LIFE SAVERS THE CANDY MINT WITH THE HOLE