Life, 1922-12-07 · page 21 of 80
Life — December 7, 1922 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a portrait sketch and poem celebrating **Mary Pickford**, a major silent-film star of the early 20th century. The poem, signed "O.H.," uses flowery language to praise her beauty and fame. The satire is gentle: the poet mock-laments that Pickford has received so much adulation (metaphorically, "flowers laid at her feet") that there's nothing left to say. He jokingly suggests that even legendary horticulturist Luther Burbank—referenced as "the Wizard Burbank"—couldn't improve upon her by creating a new flower in her honor. This is primarily a **fan tribute** rather than political satire. It reflects Pickford's celebrity status during Hollywood's golden age, when she was among the most famous actresses in the world.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mary Pickford rom scented eastern bowers To western meadows sweet, The world has gathered flowers And laid them at her feet; From simple wildwood posies To ribanded bouquet Of haughty hothouse roses— What is there left to say? Must I too, willy-nilly, To fond tradition hold— Must I repaint the lily? Regild the Marigold? If I, but for an hour, The Wizard Burbank were, I'd build a brand-new flower And name it after Her. 0. HL comicbooks.com —