Life, 1922-08-17 · page 14 of 36
Life — August 17, 1922 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine presents a humorous domestic sketch titled "Benedict Has His Character Read." The scene depicts a bedroom conversation between a married couple (Benedict and his wife) where she's reading character analysis from a book to him as they prepare for bed. The satire targets early-20th-century pseudoscientific character-reading trends—likely physiognomy or similar popular psychology. The wife uses the book's descriptions to describe her husband's personality traits, with comedic irony as she claims his "large nose" proves he's "a person of only one idea" and that "prominent eyes" indicate he's "controlled by" others. The bottom caption about a movie magnate and orchids appears to be a separate Hollywood-related gag typical of *Life's* celebrity satire of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE Twin Bed-Time Stories Benedict Has His Character Read CENE: Bedroom of the Newleighs. A bright light is burning over Bed No.1. Mrs. New- leigh is reading. Benedict is in Bed No. 2 endeavoring to woo Morpheus in spite of the obvious handicaps. Bep No. 2 (Benedict tosses impatiently) : For Pete’s sake, Leila, turn out that light. I might as well try to go to sleep in the mid- dle of Broadway as in this room. Bep No. 1 (in a very reserved, dignified tone): If you'd do a little more reading you might acquire a little culture. This isa VERY interesting book. It tells how to read character from the features. Bep No. 2: Oh that—I’ve read it. Throw it away and sleep, dear. Bep No. 1: If you’d think of something except sleep occasionally you’d be smarter. I’m going to read it for awhile longer. You'll be surprised to see how much I find out about you. Bep No. 2: If you haven't discovered by this time that I'm just a -eaceable, faithful husband who would Bunk—all bunk! like to slumber occasionally—that book wont help you any. Besides, it’s just a lot of hot air. Bep No. 1: You think any book is, that doesn't tell you how to sell more bonds. This was written by a specialist and he KNOWS. Why, just listen to this: “If the mouth slants to either side with the lips tightly drawn, the subject is suspicious and secretive.” That describes you exactly. You are the most secretive per. son I ever saw. Bep No. 2: Maybe I am. A married man’s got to be more or less. But I won’t make any secret of this—I want to go to sleep. Night, night, honey. Bev No. 1 (reflectively): I wonder if your large nose means that you are a person of only one idea? | must look that up. All you do is to think about sleep. Bep No. 2 (morosely): Yes, that’s ALL I do—just THINK about it. If you’re going to keep on talking, though, I might as well tell you something. Read what it says about prominent eyes. Bep No. 1 (suspiciously): What does it say? Bep No. 2: Those who have them are controlled by A Super-special Movie Magnate: In your next production I want you to create an air of great luxury. Director: All right, I'll have the siar pick an orchid to pieces while she says, “He loves me; he loves me not,” comicbooks.com