Life — July 21, 1921 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Cinema Primer" - July 21 This page satirizes early cinema culture through two illustrated verses by Robert E. Sherwood with drawings by John Held, Jr. **"The Ticket Girl"** mocks the stereotypical cinema usherette (Alice) who works in a movie theater booth. The verse puns on her name and position, suggesting she's distracted and directionless, seeking entertainment at the zoo rather than taking her job seriously. **"The Organist"** jokes about the cinema organist who accompanies silent films. It depicts how he struggles through dramatic moments—playing predictable chords while the plot becomes melodramatic—and suggests he'd rather be famous jazz musician J.P. Morgan or baseball star Babe Ruth. The bottom comic strip, "Never Monkey with a Monk," appears unrelated wordplay humor involving a monkey and a dentist.