Life, 1923-08-02 · page 34 of 40
Life — August 2, 1923 — page 34: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains multiple satirical items reflecting early 20th-century American concerns: **"Forhan's for the Gums"** is a toothpaste advertisement that doubles as health commentary—pyorrhea (gum disease) affecting four of five people over forty appears as a widespread public health issue demanding commercial intervention. **"Know Your Drama"** satirizes the democratization of theater titles, where a vaudeville house adds explanatory subtitles (like identifying Ethel Barrymore's character by costume price) to make plays accessible to masses. The contributor humorously extends this with other famous plays, mocking both the need for such clarification and mass audiences' presumed ignorance. **"Mrs. Pep's Diary"** presents domestic humor about a woman frustrated by clothing sent from seamstresses with reversed sashes and ruined hairstyles. **"Studies in Pessimism"** offers dark social commentary: a moderate-salary worker cannot afford cheerful modern tenements, cannot access free clinics, and cannot afford vacations for children—critiquing both economic inequality and limited social welfare provisions. These pieces collectively reflect pre-Depression American class anxieties and commercial culture's reach into daily life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Unhealthy gums denoted | by tenderness and bleeding NHEALTHY soilkills the best of wheat, Unhealthy gums kill the best of teeth. To keep the teeth sound keep the gums well, Watchtortender and bleeding gums. This is a symp- tom of Pyorrhea which afficts four Out of five people over forty. rhea menaces the body as well teeth, Not only do the gums recede and cause the tecth to decay, foosen and fallout, but the infecting.) Pyorrhea s lower the vitality and cause many serious ills To avoid Pyorthea, visit your dentist frequently for teeth, ‘and Pminonecton. Andxe Forhan's | J or the Fe Rees Ga, f prevent Pyorrhea — or check its Progrest if used in time and | Used consistently. Ordinary den- tifrices cannot do this. Forkan's | will keep the gums and healthy, the teeth white and clean, Sart wing it today. IF Fh shrinkage has set in, use ‘orhan's ‘according to diree- consult a dentist immediately for special treat- ment. 35c and 60e wbesin U.S. Canada. R. 3. ForbaneDeD. 8. FOR THE GUMS Know Your Drama A New York (N. Y.) vaudeville theatre has recently advertised on its bill of attractions, “Ethel Barrymore in ‘The Twelve Pound ($60) Look’.” This praiseworthy attempt to bring the real meaning of drama within the understanding of the masses is well worthy of assistance from us all To do my share in furthering this great movement I suggest that the titles of the following plays might also be amplified as indicated: “Abraham Lincoln (16th _ pres., U, S.)." “The Mikado (emp. Japan).” “So This Is London (Eng.) !” “The Green (jade) Goddess. “Hamlet (crown prince of Den- mark).” “The (2) Rivals.” AC. M.A, Tt. OF course you were disappointed in your vacation, but never mind—a year from now you'll be disappointed again. - LIFE Mrs. Pep’s Diary (Continued from page 9) good, had the garbage searched and recovered it, wet but authoritative... . To bed at a seasonable hour, after eating the apple which I found on my night table, the first in I know not how many years. July Made a good breakfast, as I always do away 28th from home, and then for a row upon the lake, albeit I am ex- tremely timorous about getting in and out of boats. And I did think some ot requesting the boatman to place me in the scull before he and his aide launched it, but bethought me in time of the laughter I should awaken, so took my courage in my hands and made out excellently....This day I did make a solemn vow never to leave home again with naught but new frocks, for in dressing for luncheon I was at my wits’ end to tell the front from the back of three I tried on, the zany of a sempstress having sewed the sashes down in an unaccustomed manner, and so great my rage and haste that I ruined my coiffure thrice and held up the meal ten minutes. Baird Leonard. Studies in Pessimism I work for a moderate salary, so: I can't live in one of those cheerful model tenements. My children and I can’t attend a free clinic and obtain the best of medical attention when we're sick. The “little ones” can’t be sent for a vacation in the country or at the seashore—by charity. HENRY T. FINCK Author of “Foods and Flavor” CONTROL WITH MENUS An epicure and a wit, with a serious purpose and sound scientific background is Henry Theophilus Finck. Never was there a more genial, delightful fric the fat man—and the lean. “Girth Con- trol” he says, ‘means health control—the triumph of enlightened, refined dietetic sensualism over ignorant, ascetic suicidal puritanism.” WHEREVER BOOKS ARE SOLD $1.75 HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS We aren't provided with one of those Christmas turkeys they give the needy, No charitably minded women offer to look after my children during their play hours. And I can’t obtain financial assist- ance from any organization when I am up to my ears in debt. And I am asked to donate for all these things. Sometimes I wish I were poor! T. HL, San Tranciscos Bit of’ Italy Like an old world port on the Mediterranean coast, Fisherman’s Wharf captivates every visitor to San Francisco. Strange manners, strange speech, strange boats manned by stalwart sons of Italy in tam o’shanter and great sea-boots. And you can reach this spot: in ten minutes, starting from your head- quarters at THE PALACE. In San Francisco Its The Palace THE PALACE HOTEL Management Halsey: € Manwaring, Market at New Montgomery St San Francisco. comicbooks.com