Life, 1921-10-06 · page 21 of 33
Life — October 6, 1921 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This illustration satirizes romantic disappointment, likely referencing a popular theatrical production or cultural narrative of the era. The cartoon depicts three panels: a woman in classical/mythological dress holding a scroll labeled "Confidential Guide" (mirroring the magazine's header), a cherub or cupid figure scattering coins or tokens below, and a small figure walking away dejected. The joke appears to target the gap between romantic idealization and reality—the grandiose, draped figure represents love or romance as imagined, while the scattered coins and departing figure suggest the messy, disappointing, or mercenary reality. The title "The Unhappy Romance" reinforces this ironic contrast. Without additional context about specific 1921 theatrical productions, the exact target remains unclear, but the satire mocks the mismatch between romantic fantasy and actual experience—a timeless Life magazine theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
October 6 NI DENTIAL*: GUIDE ( Owing to the time it takes to print Lire, readers should verify from the daily news- papers the continuance of the attractions at the theatres mentioned. More or Less Serious Back Pay. Eltinge——The old, old story told in magazine language. The Bat. Morosco—Terrible on the nervous system but worth it. Blood and Sand. Empire—Reviewed in this issue. The Blue Lagoon. Astor—Just as dull as two people cast away on an island woul! find it in real life. ddy’s Gone A-Hunting. Plymouth, —Marjorie Rambeau in an impressively simple tragedy of marriage. The Detour. Bijou—Rural drama with a re/reshingly modern ending, well-acted. e Easiest Way. Lyceum —Frances and many of the original cast in a hat has proved hard to beat. Green Goddess. Booth—Old ama in new bottles served with dis- tinction by George Arliss. The Hero. Belmont—An idea, for whicli the author would have been sent to Leavenworth four years ago, made into a play more conventional than it deserves. Liliom. Fulton—Through Heaven and Earth with a roughneck in a memorable performance. The Return of Peter Grimm. Belasco. —David Warfield in a revival of his former success. The Silver Fox. The customar; by William cast Sonya. Klaw—Royal romance done in nice uniforms and much the same manner as always. « Maxine Elliott’'s— polite infidelities executed aversham and an excellent Comedy and Things Like That Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife. viewed in this issue. _ The Circle. Selwyn.—A delicious per- formance of a real play with a cast in- cluding John Drew and Mrs. Leslie Carter. _ Daley. Frazee—Lynn Fontanne bring- ing « delightfully new characterization to our stage in an amusing satirical comedy. The First Year. Little—A hilariously funn» view through the window into every- bod: 's home life. Getting Gertie’s Garter. Republic.— All right for anyone who would buy a tick.t for a play of that name. Honors Are Even. Times Square— Lol: Fisher and William Courtenay in a play containing twice too many words. Just Married. Nora Bayes—A bed- root farce on board a boat, funny when Lyne Overman is on. The Man in the Making. Hudson— To ¢ reviewed next week. The Night-Cap. Thirty-Ninth St— Murder mystery becoming farce. Ritz —Re- Only 38. Cort—Pretty gosh-darned wholesome, by Heck! Six-Cylinder Love. Sam H. Harris.— A sure-fire hit, with Ernest Truex as the purchaser of a malicious white elephant, 1921 model. Two Blocks Away. George M. Co- han’s—Plenty of good lines for Barney Bernard, so what does the show matter? Wait ’Till We’re Married. Playhouse. —To be reviewed next week. The White-Headed Boy. Henry Mil- ler.—Reviewed in this issue. Eye and Ear Entertainment Blossom Time. Ambassador—To be reviewed next week. Get Together. Hippodrome.—Reviewed in this issue. Greenwich Village Follies. To be reviewed next week. The Last Waltz. Century—A great, big comic opera like those they used to make. The Merry Widow. Kni The music is the same, any’ Sally. New Amsterdam they drop off, leaving thi they found it making money. Shuffle Along. Sixty Third St—Negro singers and dancers in a whizzing per- formance of jazz and harmony. Tangerine. Casino—A pleasant mu- sical show with Julia Sanderson lending her customary sombre note. Shubert. erbocker.— ne by one right where The Unhappy Romance comicbooks.com