Life, 1923-05-31 · page 24 of 37
Life — May 31, 1923 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct items: **Picture Title Contest**: Life magazine solicits reader-submitted titles for an untitled illustration (top left) showing what appears to be a social gathering. First prize is $500. The contest reflects Life's interactive engagement with readers. **"A Man's Man"**: A character profile describing John Barrows, a 42-year-old valet—a servant figure. The satire lies in the ironic phrase "A Man's Man": despite his perfect manners, discretion, and meticulous service, he's defined entirely by subservience to others. The description emphasizes his emotional restraint and lack of personal expression, suggesting the era's class system where servants were valued precisely for their self-effacement. **"Another Rebellion"**: The accompanying illustration (bottom right) shows a child sitting on a chair while an adult (likely the valet or parent) holds up a portrait—presumably depicting the "rebellion" of childhood defiance or misbehavior, contrasting with the adult world's rigid propriety described above.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE This Picture Has No Title For the best titles to this picture, Lire will award prizes as follows: First Prize Second Prize . $300 Third Prize .. $150 Fourth Prize ... -- $50 The Contest will be governed by the following ConpiTI0ons (Contestants are advised to read these conditions carefully, and to conform to them exactly. LiFe can- not undertake to enter into corres- pondence or to reply to inquiries.) By “best” is understood that title which most cleverly and briefly de- scribes the picture above. The contest is now open and open to everybody, and will close at this office at noon on Tuesday, June 12th. Titles will be judged by three members of Lire’s Editorial Staff, and their decision will be final. Titles may be original, or may be a quotation from some well- known author. They should not ex- ceed twenty words each. Contest- ants may send in more than one title, but not more than ten to a sheet. Should we have duplicates of any of the winning answers, the full amount of the prize will be given each tying contestant. The final award will be an- nounced as early as possible after the close of the contest (allowing for completion of the final read- ing). Checks will be sent simulta- neously with the announcement of the award. The members of Lire’s staff, of course, will not compete. All titles should be addressed to Lire’s Picture Title Contest, 598 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. Envelopes should contain nothing but the competing titles, type- written (or very plainly written), using one side of paper only, with the name and address of the sender on each sheet. Answers which do not conform to these requirements will not be considered in the contest. A Man’s Man Ace: forty-two; of medium height; smooth shaven. Clothes, inconspicuous and sombre. Ever at the beck and call of those who re- quire him. Voice, subdued. Man- ners, perfect. Somewhat of a snob to those he considers his inferiors, Meticulous. One who never splurges, owing to economy and habit rather than to desire or choice. Methodical, painstaking, patient. Moves noiselessly and with a certain degree of caution. A dig- nified bearing; exteriorly devoid of all emotion. A master of euphemism. His name: John Barrows; his occupation: valeting. Another Rebellion comicbooks.com