Life, 1922-05-18 · page 15 of 34
Life — May 18, 1922 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page reviews a theatrical production called "Hope Springs," starring Marcelle Wayve. The cartoon depicts a procession of camels carrying Solomon's wives heading toward the seashore, with the caption "Good-by! good-by! don't forget to write me every day!" The satire mocks the play as absurdly bad. Critics called it "bewildering stupidities" with settings "designed by genius" (sarcastic). One reviewer compared it unfavorably to Volstead's "Ten Nights in a Barroom"—suggesting this play was worse than an already-infamous theatrical disaster. The recurring joke: despite terrible reviews, the publication notes it's so bad "we cannot find trace" of worse dramatic works, implying it may be uniquely awful. The comic exaggeration of the biblical harem departure emphasizes the play's apparent ridiculousness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Solomon’s Wives Start for the Seashore “Good-by! good-by! don’t forget to’ write me every day!” Gold in the Dross After the Production of “Hope Springs” The Critics Wrote— And the Press Agent Advertised— HE play was a succession of bewildering stupid- Bewildering—De Meane, Times. lies. Marcelle Wayve, the star, was as intoxicating as one- Marcelle Wayve . . . intoxicating —Drivvel, Post. half of one per cent. brew. The settings must have been designed by the genius who is responsible for that other artistic masterpiece, ion furniture. Settings designed by genius—Torrid, World. A sure cure for insomnia. Soothing as syrup, it will lull Soothing—Cutting, Globe. even the tired business man to sleep. Bring your alarm clock and set it for ten-fifty-five. That will allow you five minutes to leave in comfort. Nothing quite like it has been seen here since Volstead oar aay is put an end to the usefulness of “Ten Nights in a Barroom. Nothing like it has been seen here—Tooter, Sun, An alarmed citizenry should rise and see this horrible .. . . thing safely and securely out of town. Citizenry should rise and see this—Dell, Herald. Worse plays than this may have been produced, but in ; our memory of things dramatic we cannot find trace of Dramatic.—Trite, Mail. them comicbooks.com