Life, 1921-12-15 · page 23 of 34
Life — December 15, 1921 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"At the Movies" Section:** The circular photograph shows a family at a movie theater—adults and children gathered together. The accompanying text presents a satirical narrative about a husband's failed Christmas savings plan. He commits in September to saving money systematically for gifts, but repeatedly raids the fund for other expenses (insurance premiums, Thanksgiving weekend). By December, he borrows from the bank to buy presents anyway, perpetuating the cycle of debt. The humor targets middle-class financial irresponsibility and self-deception—the protagonist knows his plan will fail but repeats it yearly. The satire critiques American consumer culture and the Christmas shopping obligation. **"Degrees" Section:** A brief joke playing on employment anxiety for college graduates. A father's pride in his son's A.M. (Master of Arts) degree is deflated when someone suggests he pursue a Ph.D. The father replies the son is actually seeking a "J.O.B."—implying that advanced degrees don't guarantee employment, a concern relevant to Depression-era or post-WWI economic uncertainty.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
At the Movies Wasting Good Money Solving the Christmas Money Problem HAT he Said to His Wife in September: Now that vacation is over I’m going to start right in and save something every week for Christmas. We've been broke 2) Christmas since we were married. For once I'm ig to have enough money to buy the presents without liaving to pinch. |n October: I’m certainly glad I started saving for Christ- s. As soon as I pay back what I borrowed to meet that ance premium the fund will be almost big enough to tus through nicely; and of course I intend to put a lot into it next month. !n November: With six weeks until Christmas I’ll be in good shape, even if we do take that money for a Thanks- giving week-end. Three Days Before Christmas: While I was borrowing at the bank I thought I might as well get enough so we wouldn’t have to skimp. And after it’s all over we can start in and save again. It won't take long to pay it back. McCready Huston. Degrees Sar a friend to the proud father of a college graduate who had just been awarded an A. M. degree: “T suppose Robert will be looking for a Ph.D. next?” “No. He will be looking for a J. O. B.” comicbooks.com