Life, 1922-01-12 · page 7 of 34
Life — January 12, 1922 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a portrait sketch of Margalo Gillmore, a stage actress, dedicated by cartoonist George S. Chappell. The accompanying poem is a flirtatious tribute that plays on her role in the play "Miss Jimmy Valentine." The verse is a mock-serious declaration: Chappell claims he fears her influence despite never meeting her, joking that he's "not a crook" (a humorous reference to her character's association with a criminal). He promises to be an "open door" for her and would happily commit theft or other crimes for her "entrancing smile." This is light satirical flattery typical of early 20th-century magazine humor—theatrical gossip and celebrity admiration dressed up as comedic verse. The drawing style suggests this page appeared during the 1920s-1930s theater era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
- ae ae See To Margalo Gillmore In “Alias Jimmy Valentine™ ISS Margalo, I trust that you will hear With your benign approval for my fee, Without offense And nothing more, That I, although you know me not, still fear My policy regarding safes would be Your influence; Tke open door, The fact is, though (as stated) we've not met, And when, assisted by a cross-cut file, Whene'er I look “I'd made a haul On you and Alias Jimmy I regret Of rift-less loot. for your entrancing smile I'm not a crook. Td give it all. George S, Chappell A comicbooks.com