Life, 1921-12-22 · page 25 of 34
Life — December 22, 1921 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains Cold War-era American satire mocking Soviet communism through Christmas imagery. **"Christmas in Moscow"** (poem by Frederick Moxon): Satirizes Soviet suppression of religious tradition and private property. The State replaces Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas; children receive state-rationed gifts in dormitories rather than family homes. The poem ridicules confiscation of "wealthy children's playthings" and references Lenin and Trotsky, suggesting Soviet ideology strips away individual joy and family bonds. **Top cartoon**: Shows a man struggling with bulky Christmas packages—satirizing the material excess of American capitalism versus Soviet austerity. **"A Study in Still Life" comic strip** (bottom): A visual pun depicting Santa delivering what appears to be a thermos bottle but is actually revealed as "a still"—an illegal alcohol distillery. This likely references Prohibition-era bootlegging, creating dark humor about hidden contraband during both American Prohibition and Soviet restriction of goods. The overall message critiques Soviet communism as joyless and authoritarian while implicitly defending American consumer culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Heavens! I'll be glad when I get home with these bundles so I can scratch my ear” ANG up the common stocking, Dear children communistic, The Christmas Legend mocking With reason syllogistic. Not with an expectation Of mythical Saint Nicholas, But as a demonstration Of empty faiths, ridiculous! Christmas in Moscow The State, your Father-Mother, Its rationed gifts disbursing, Forbids you any other, No private instinct nursing. Some wealthy children’s playthings Our Red Guards confiscated, Likewise their parents’ gay things, Justly expropriated. And for your dormitory, A pretty red-ink plan of The room where went to glory The family Romanoff! While playthings and apparel Are shared in even lots-ky, Stand up and sing your carol, “Long live Lenine and Trotsky !” Frederick Moxon. Santa Claus: I think this package is for you, Mr. Bonedry. “Looks like a thermos bottle!” “A still!” comicbooks.com