Life, 1921-02-17 · page 23 of 34
Life — February 17, 1921 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wealthy New York society through absurdist humor and invented aristocratic names. The "Society" column mocks the leisure class with ridiculous situations: a man whose "wine cellar accident" forces him to Paris (implying drunkenness), pearls stolen from a woman at the Metropolitan Opera, and casual references to African lions and European titles among the idle rich. The "Poor Fish" cartoon below depicts two men viewing a travel advertisement for Palm Beach, with one saying it's "just advertisin'" — mocking the gap between glamorous marketing and reality. The sidebar joke about "wisdom teeth" satirizes contemporary masculine anxieties: buying used cars, accepting political nominations, and accepting marriage as hardships equivalent to jail time — suggesting modern life burdens the formerly carefree wealthy. Overall, Life ridicules Gilded Age excess and the pretensions of America's social elite during what appears to be the 1920s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
February 17 R. and Mrs. Purssey Strut tained informally at dinner on Thurs- day evening. There only eight guests present and butlers. All wore clothes, including the Among those present were Mr. and Mrs enter- were seven ladies. Van Damme Expense, the Brazen Pushers and the Hon golf even better than she does bridge. The Ammi Innitts are due at Palm Beach to-morrow afternoon. Their cars weresent on ahead by steamship, and itis to be hoped will arrive in time. Mrs. Ammi Inaitt is accompanied on her arduous journey by the Earl of Graftmere, who has three African lions to his credit. Mr. Trowsers Van Guzzle will not be with us this year. An unfortunate acci- dent to his wine cellar has compelled his burried departure for Paris. He will be followed by his yacht, the Alcoholia The Bbrowne-Rrobynssons are slowly recuperating in the mountains of Vir- fiaia from the distressing robbery of Mrs. Rrobynsson’s pearls, $160,000 worth of which were torn from her back while she was emerging from one of her Monday evenings at the Metropolitan Opera House. Mayor Hylan is deeply chagrined. Mr. F. Somewhat Pumpkyns received a new scarf yesterday from his haberdash- Munnie Duzzyt, who likes WONDER IF THEY IS A PLACE LIKE THAT IN a WINTER, EDDIE?” NAW, ‘COURSE NoT! IT’S JEST ADVERTISIN’ Poor Fish. ers, Messrs. Gaspel and Gaspel. It was Prepared to order under the personal di- rection of Miss Pinkie Goshwotta Pyle, and is said to harmonize perfectly with Freddie's complexion. Mrs. Boodle-Galore tried out her new multiplane Wednesday afternoon at Gar- den City. She was assisted into the ma- chine by his Grace of Goutford, who came on from Newport, where he is staying with the Shaidie Ppasts. Mrs. Boodle- Galore was up for an hour and spoke very favorably of the way New York looked this season. The Duke continues in good spirits. Mrs. Hookairs Enniweigh crossed up- per Fifth Avenue on foot yesterday morn- ing. She was accompanied by only two under-grooms. Books the Golfer Would Choose Great Expectations. Over the Top. The Rough Road. The Long Roll. Ninety-three The Inside of the Cup. Twice-Told Tales. “FATHER, have you cut all four of your wisdom teeth?” “Yes, son. I have purchased a used car, accepted a nomination, been chairman of a local reception committee, and married your mother.” “YYOU have never had any auto acci- dents, have you? “Not over thirty days in jail.” comicbooks.com