Life, 1921-12-08 · page 6 of 34
Life — December 8, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Sanctum Talk"):** This depicts a conversation between Life magazine staff members about Bernard Shaw (the Irish playwright and critic). Shaw apparently criticized America, prompting Life to mock his pretentiousness. The satire ridicules Shaw's claim to be "the world's most professional humorist" while he makes disagreeable statements about Shakespeare and America. The joke targets Shaw's self-importance and his tendency to provoke controversy for attention. **Bottom Cartoon ("Mrs. Noah decides on a thorough housecleaning"):** This biblical reference depicts Mrs. Noah using a broom to violently expel animals from the ark—depicted as chaotic, explosive housecleaning. The satire likely comments on aggressive social or political "cleaning" or purging, though the specific reference remains unclear without additional context. Both cartoons employ exaggerated caricature typical of early 20th-century satirical illustration.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sanctum Talk & HO’S this?” “Don’t you know me, Lire? I'm Bernard Shaw.” “Do you mean to say—” “Don’t worry. I’m not going to visit America. I just dropped in on you per- sonally—to—” “T hear you've got religion, Brother Shaw. Always joking.” “That’s my trade—so different from yours.” “Old stuff. I’m so tired of being told that I’m not a humorous paper.” “Then why don’t you do something about it?” “I am. Isn’t this a delicately hu- morous interview with the world’s most professional humorist? Say something bright. Be disagreeable about something.” “Well then, I hate America.” “Fine!” “On the whole, I think Shakespeare was an old dear, considering that he didn’t have me to look up to.” “How perfectly rollicking!” “I admire Hearst beyond words! He pays so well.” “You make me chuckle!” “All Englishmen, no matter who they may be, are intensely stupid. All Irish- men, with one or two exceptions, are intensely brilliant, and I am the most brilliant of all.” “I am now holding my sides.” “That’s nothing! Wait till you hear what’s coming. There is no form of disloyalty in which I won't indulge if I can say something smart.” “Dear! Dear! How you do mn on!” “T am also advocating the practice of living forever, so people can go on permanently enjoying the good things I am constantly getting off.” “This is too witty. I can’t stand it!” “You must! Everybody has to stand it. That’s what I am here for, to make everybody stand it.” “Ts that why you won't visit America —you gay dog?” “Of course! Think of the conse- quences. Everybody would be so amused that there’d be an end to every- thing. You're half gone now.” “Don’t! Say no more! Leave me.” “I’m the very best there is—” “Tl say so, B. S.—with tar feathers. G’by.” “G'by, Lire!” and =e sells stn decides on a thorough housecleaning. comicbooks.com