Life, 1922-10-05 · page 9 of 36
Life — October 5, 1922 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a theatrical sketch and two literary pieces rather than political commentary. The **illustration** depicts a theater scene where two elegantly dressed women are critiquing an actress. The caption reads: "Why, she can't act; she doesn't even know how to behave." This satirizes the social pretension of theatergoers who judge performers based on comportment and manners rather than genuine acting ability—a common target of satirical humor about upper-class audiences. Below, **"Things I Wonder About At the Theatre"** is a humorous list questioning theatrical absurdities: implausible plot devices (heroes never jailed for crimes), backstage logistics, and audience behavior. The **poem "Song in a Minor Key"** is a romantic narrative about a faithful lady awaiting her lover by a gate—unrelated to the satire above. The page satirizes Victorian theatrical culture and audience pretension.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“I hear Enid is going on the stage.” . “Why, she can’t act; she doesn’t even know how to behave.” Things I Wonder About At the Theatre HY young husbands are surprised on learning that they will soon become papas. They knew it long ago. Why no stage wife has ever been able to cook a biscuit vithout burning it. Why the hero is never put in jail when he commits a capital crime. How the different characters can live without ap- arently ever being compelled to attend to their bus nesses, Why incriminating notes are always left where they vill be found. . Why the persons who wish to go out between the acts ire always placed in the middle of the rows. Why hardened married persons are always unhappy. How stage telephone numbers are obtained so promptly. Why raising chickens in the country should be a sure ure for a young man who has raised hell in the city. Why I didn’t start home at the end of Act I. Why I didn’t start home at the end of Act II. Why I came at all. Song in a Minor Key HERE'S a place I know where the birds swing low, And wayward vines go roaming, Where the lilacs nod, and a marble god Shines pale, in scented gloaming. And at sunset there comes a lady fair Whose eyes are deep with yearning. By a quaint old gate does the lady wait Her own true love’s returning. But the days sweep by, and the lilacs die, And trembling birds seek cover; Yet the lady stands, with her cool white hands Outstretched to greet her lover. And it’s there she'll stay till, one shadowy day, A monument they'll grave her. She will always wait by the same old gate— The gate her true love gave her. Dz P. “Wuar’s all the excitement over in the freak show?” “Some one told Tattooed Bill he was a marked man.” comicbooks.com