Life, 1922-07-20 · page 7 of 36
Life — July 20, 1922 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine features a satirical cartoon about Russian political figures. The cartoon depicts what appears to be a tense meeting in a modest Russian interior, with the caption "How does she go?" / "Hm...At least we're not blind yet" / "Well, here's looking at you!" The accompanying text discusses "Little Russian Radio Night-Night Stories" featuring characters named Alexis Alexovitch, Vladimir Dijinski, and Sonya Ivanovna. The satire appears to mock Russian revolutionary or Soviet leadership through these fictional characters and their interactions. The crude living conditions depicted and the oblique dialogue suggest commentary on Russian political dysfunction or the contrast between leaders' pretensions and harsh reality. Without precise dating, the exact historical event referenced remains unclear, though the Russian-focused satire suggests Cold War-era American perspective.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“How does she go?” “Hm ... At least we're not blind yet.” “Well, here’s looking at you!” Little Russian Radio Night-Night Stories With a Snicker at Chekhov, Andreyev, Dostoyevsky & Co. Barbarovna Frietjisk HROUGH the little town of Feodorograd marched the Gen- eral Stonewladek Jacksnovitch at the head of a thousand men, From an upper window old Barbarovna Friet- jisk, last of the Frietjisks, waved a hated flag. “Shoot if you must this old gray head,” she cried. Stonewladek Jacksnovitch halted and gave a command... The gun of one man, Nikolai Mi- kailovitch by name, missed fire. He was thrown to the wolves. Alexis Alexovitch and Vladimir Dijinski Alexis Alexovitch, Emperor of the World, hearing of the fame of Vladimir Dijinski, the philosopher, paid him a visit. He stood outside the mean tub in which the philoso- pher lived and extolled and praised his wisdom. As a final tribute to Dijinski, Alexis said: “I am Alexis Alexovitch, Emperor of the World. What can I do for Vladimir Dijin- “Go swallow a large mouthful of poison ivy,” replied Dijinski. The admiring mob, seeing that, after all, Alexis Alexovitch was not universally feared and_ respected, fell upon him and tore him to pieces. Sonya Ivanovna in Kovno Sonya Ivanovna was getting hor- ribly weary of sitting in the dead brown grass while her sister read to herself out of an ugly black book. Once or twice, Sonya had peeked over her sister's shoulder to see what it was all about, only to receive a resounding slap that sent her roll- ing over and over. Now, whimper- ing slightly and rubbing her skinned elbows, she shivered in the increas- ing .cold of the declining afternoon. As Sonya’s sister read—to herself —her lower lip trembled and she plucked absently at a tuft of rank black hair that grew on her green- ish chin. Sonya was getting horri- bly weary : By her side lay half of a rusty crowbar, left there by the hired man, Stephan Stephanovitch. Her fingers closed idly over it. How long—? Blam! Sonya Ivanovna’s sister suddenly stopped reading .. . H.W. H. Obligation MUST believe your words are true; I must have faith in all you do; I must seek only in your eyes The bit of truth; forget the lies, And leave all doubts and fears be- hind. For love’s not love—unless it’s blind, H. P. comicbooks.com