Life, 1920-03-18 · page 23 of 54
Life — March 18, 1920 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page announces a contest inviting readers to title the illustration shown—a domestic scene depicting four figures (two men, a woman, and a child) examining what appears to be documents or papers. The magazine offers $800 in prizes ($500 first place, $200 second, $100 third) for the best caption. The accompanying story, "We Have With Us This Evening," is a humorous biblical satire imagining Adam's post-creation banquet in Eden, where animals gather to celebrate. When called upon to speak, Adam nervously admits his complete unpreparedness for the occasion—a joke about human inadequacy presented under the ironic heading "Pessimism—Disappointed Idealism." The page reflects *Life* magazine's format: combining visual humor with literary wit, inviting reader participation, and mixing satirical commentary with light entertainment. The contest rules are detailed and formal, typical of early 20th-century magazine promotions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Life’s Title Contest For the best title to the picture on this page Lire will award prizes as follows : First Prize . . . . $500.00 Second Prize . ‘ $200.00 Third Prize . . $100.00 the loss of manuscripts. Contestants are advised to keep duplicate copies. No manuscripts will be returned. Titles may be original or may be a quotation from some well-known author, but in this case the source must he accurately given. It is not necessary to be a subscriber to Lirr to be a contestant In case of ties the full amount of the prize will be given to each tying contestant The final award will be announced as early as possible after the close of the contest. OF this due notice will be given. Checks will be sent simultane- ously with the announcement of the award, The carlicr you send your title the better. In previous contests many ar- rived too late. We Have With Us This Eyetiog N the evening of the sixtl beasts of the field, the For the Best Title to this Picture $800 will be given in Prizes the air and all the creeping thin the earth assembled around a yreat Sve conditions below stone table in the Garden of Eden The occasion was a banquet in honor CONDITIONS of Adam, who had just been created tants are advised to read these cor fully, and to confoi ther Live cannot undertake to enter espondence of to reply to inquiries “best” is understood that ttle ch most cleverly and briefly de- bes the situation shown in the pic- vo title submitted shall consist of e¢ than twenty-five words. Hyphen- words will be counted as one ontestants may send in more than answer, but each one must be on arate sheet, with name and ad- ss plainly written. ihe contest is open to everybody. > case of any dispute as to the status a winning contestant under these. e table was loaded with vegetables and fruits of all kinds — excepting apples. After the repast, the Masto- don, who, because of his size, had been conditions, the Editors of Lire will be the sole judges. But a liberal interpre- tation will be placed on the conditions The contest is open now. vill ‘ : ¢ contest pen now. It v appointed master of ceremonies, bel close at noon on Monday, May 3, 1920. Jowed, “Speech!” and the rest of the no manuscripts received on that date menagerie took up the ery, and howled. squeaked and — cackled, Speech! Speech!” The tumult subsided only after that hour being considered AN manuscripts should he addressed to the Contest Editor of Lire, 17 West Thirty-first: Street, New York. En- velopes addressed in any other way when the guest of honor, blushing: all . rose and howed “Vertebrates and Invertebrates,” he will not be considered. Envelopes must jegan, “this overwhelms me. I assure contain nothing but the competing title and the name and address of the sender, plainly written, all on the same sheet. If you have anything else to < y to Lire, send it in a separate letter P SSIMISM — Disappointed — ide The Editors will not be responsible for ism, you, I am absolutely unprepared. And for once the old apology was sincere. comicbooks.com