Life, 1922-08-17 · page 21 of 36
Life — August 17, 1922 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1920s satirical piece mocks American attitudes toward Mexico during a period of banditry and U.S. intervention. The humor derives from a darkly cynical premise: Mexican bandits kidnap the "wrong" people—artists, writers, congressmen—whom Americans secretly wish would disappear. The joke escalates through fake ransom correspondence where "Uncle Sam" (the U.S. government) expresses gratitude to kidnappers and offers bulk discounts for future captures of similarly undesirable citizens. The final letter involves a man defined solely by repetitively recounting his pre-Prohibition drinking habits—a jab at annoying Americans obsessed with Prohibition nostalgia. The satire targets American cultural figures and politicians the magazine's readers presumably disliked, while cynically suggesting the U.S. government wouldn't ransom them. It reflects both American exasperation with Mexican instability and contempt for domestic celebrities and politicians.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
* LIFE 19 The Trouble With Mexican Bandits Is That They Don’t Seize the Right People HY do Mexican bandits always eize and hold for ransom the e the country can least afford ? It’s very mystifying and sperating. Writers of popu- ar sex-novels, tenors, vaudeville ventriloquists, efficiency experts, | poets, idle rich, jazz music composers, yace-track gamblers and members of ngress are frequent visitors to the try. They pass right under the ts’ noses without even being de- peo to los | ) very | \Vhat is the explanation? Do the | Mexican outlaws know that their correspondence would result as fol- Juarez. | Dear United States, Esq.: | lave seized Prentice Piffle, author of bedroom farces and slamming- | door comedies. Am holding him for ransom, | Manuel Pigollarez. | Dear Manuel: thanks for your delightful mes- e. We thank you deeply. Would 1 be interested in a proposition to | seize and hold two or three hundred others of the same type? Very truly yours, U. S. A. y * * * Acquade. eemed Uncle Samuel: ! have this day captured Laura | Lassitude, author of Arabian desert love stories. Send $150 or harm will befall her. Ricardo Obegone. My dear Ricardo: Good work! The American people are overjoyed. You have their most sincere gratitude. See that all pos- \ sible harm befalls her. Will keep you in touch with other writers soon | to visit Mexico. Regards to the wife and kiddies, | Sam. * * * Tampico. Mr. U. Sam, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: My men have seized three Ameri- can congressmen, They are im- prisoned in a wet cellar. No mercy will be shown them unless you send us $3000 at once. Francisco Villarazeo, Dear France: Are you sure the cellar is good and wet? Also what would be your charge to handle congressmen in case-lots? Wire at once. Shall ex- pect your guarantee of no mercy to be rigidly kept. Love and kisses, U. States. Chihuahua, Honorable Uncle Sam: Am holding for ransom an Ameri- can citizen. He refuses to give name, but believe he is Man Who Never Takes a Drink of Whisky These Days Without Saying “Before Prohibition I Never Touched Hard Stuff.” Unless you rush us $250 we will execute him. Felipe Gonzales. * * * Dear Felipe: Will make it $500 if yqu carry out threat as promised. Will you wire us without delay your terms for han dling citizens of this type in cargo lots of 5000? With the deepest appreciation, Uncle Samuel. Love’s Labor Won OW does the busy gossiper . Improve each shining minute ? She finds the newest little yarn And then begins to spin it. INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF AMERICAN GENERALS OF INDUSTRY No, 41. “Mr. Harrison has a quiet frolic down by the White Rock Pool. comicbooks.com