Life, 1922-11-09 · page 15 of 36
Life — November 9, 1922 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes post-Prohibition revelry. The story describes a gentleman recounting a three-year-old carnival celebration during Prohibition's enforcement, featuring open speakeasies, illegal alcohol consumption, and soldiers partaking in festivities. The illustration depicts a 1920s party scene with well-dressed guests around a table with cocktails. The Latin title translates to "It will be pleasant to remember these things"—ironic given the illegal nature of the depicted activity. The satire targets Prohibition-era hypocrisy: despite the law's intent, speakeasies operated openly with military and civilian participation. The nostalgic framing mocks how Americans would fondly remember lawbreaking once Prohibition ended. The date reference (November 11, 1918) marks Armistice Day, emphasizing soldiers' role in underground drinking culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
remarked the gentleman in the bulbous waistcoat. “Lord! I'll never forget it—will you fellers?” “Forget what?” politely inquired the “fellers” addressed. rhe Armistice, of course.” —certainly not,” they reassured ‘J UST three years ago to-night,” a night! Rip-roaring Up and down old Broad- way we went, singing and yelling, getting the—the Sammies full of the old stuff, Gosh! It was running in the gutters, I remember. Some cele- bration,” “Yes, wasn’t it?” other two in unison. remarked the \ % y “a 2 wae awe one — a Su - LIFE Hec Meminisse Juvabit “Till say it was. Regular carni- val. Wow! More money spent on good red booze that night than since Prohibition, I'll bet. Every place wide open. Everybody carrying around their own quart. Gosh!” He sighed in reminiscence. “Everybody kissing everybody else—nobody car- ing a darn—wow! We did it up brown.” “Brown’s the very color,” com- mented one of the pair. “Well—and why not? It was a good old war. I did my share, too,” added the bulbous waistcoat. “I got four sailors and six soldiers good and tight that night. Say, I'll bet you boys hit it up, all right. What'd you think of it—hey?” “Well,” reluctantly spoke up one, “I remember being somewhat put out by the noise. I had to get up extra early, you see.” “Sure—but—but. . .” “T was on K. P. in a God-forsaken replacement camp in Mississippi.” The face above the bulbous waist- coat sank. “Uh—oh—and what about you?” he asked of the other man. “TIL bet you remember November 11, 1918.” “Yes, I do,” replied the other man quietly. One noticed for the first time that one of his arms wasn't quite right. “We went into action just before dawn.” H.W. H. “Phyllis looked a perfect fright when she returned from that hunting trip.” “Yes, there was six weeks’ growth of eyebrow on her face.” comicbooks.com