Life, 1922-08-03 · page 21 of 36
Life — August 3, 1922 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical play mocking Prohibition-era justice and jury nullification. The sketch depicts absurdly lenient treatment of bootleggers during the 1920s alcohol ban (the Volstead Act). The satire's point: while 127 liquor-selling cases result in convictions despite strong evidence from 21 witnesses, the final case (Al Stakokolopulo, a Greek bootlegger apprehended with 62 cases of Scotch) results in acquittal—the jury apparently dining and singing rather than seriously reviewing evidence. They acquit him so enthusiastically they chant his name. The joke targets jury corruption or the public's resistance to Prohibition enforcement: juries actively protect bootleggers despite overwhelming evidence. The Spirit of Justice "winks" at the finale, suggesting the entire legal system is complicit in the farce. The accompanying cartoon shows Justice herself struggling with her responsibilities, reinforcing that the system has become unworkable. This reflects real 1920s frustration with Prohibition's failure and pervasive flouting of the law.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Order in the Court! A Short but Vital Drama, Dealing in a Frank Way With the Administration of Justice in the Great American Democracy (The scene, as one might assume from a close scrutiny of the title, is a Court Room. As this is not the first time that such a location has been used on the stage, any umateur organization desiring to present the play will have no difficulty in securing the necessary court-room scenery cheap at any theatrical storage warehouse.) Prologue HE Spirit of Justice appears and recites a long speech in blank verse. (The speech is omitted here, because it isn’t much good, anyway.) Episode One The Grand Jury is informed that it has been impan- eled for the purpose of trying one hundred and twenty- eight cases—the defendants in each instance having been charged with violation of the Volstead Act. The members of The Grand Jury, as one man, register satisfaction, and proceed to nudge each other. Episode Two Cases No. 1 to No, 127, 1ncL.: Sigmund W. Murphy, proprietor of a restaurant, and a crowd of others, accused of having sold liquor in violation of the Eighteenth Amendment, Mullen-Gage Law, Volstead Act, Pure Food and Drugs Act, and Local Ordinance No. mm69777. Charges sustained by twenty-one witnesses, including nineteen Federal Prohibition Enforcement officers and two Anti-Saloon League sleuths. Verdict: Nor Guitry. Episode Three Case No. 128: Al Stakokolopulo, alleged bootlegger, of No. 1418a Van Turpen Avenue; apprehended by Fed- eral Officers while unloading sixty-two cases of Scotch whisky from a street car at the corner of Prospect Boulevard and Twenty-seventh Street. The Foreman of the Jury: Where's the evidence? (One case of liquor is produced begrudgingly by the Federal Officers.) The Foreman of the Jury: The Jury will retire to examine the evidence. (The curtain is lowered to indicate the passage of two hours.) , From the jury room issue the strains of “My Old Kentucky Home,” sung in comparatively close harmony. (Enter the Foreman of the Jury.) The Foreman of the Jury: 1s there any more evidence, and if not, why isn’t there? (The Federal Officers decide that they will have to surrender another case.) Episode Four The next morning. The Jury is carried in by court attendants. The Foreman of the Jury (in a loud voice): NOT GUILTY! The Jury (in chorus): What's the matter with Al Stakokolopulo? HE’s all right! Two Voices: WHO's all right? The Entire Jury: AL STAKOKOLOPULO! Yeaa- aaaaaaaaaa ! : Epilogue The Spirit of Justice steps forth and winks. —CURTAIN— R.E. S. Mrs. Angel: Yes, it’s very lovely here and all that but I can’t do a thing with this dreadful harp. I wish I could have brought my phonograph with me! 19 comicbooks.com