Life, 1923-08-09 · page 6 of 36
Life — August 9, 1923 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three humor pieces from early 20th-century Life magazine: **"Duty with Pleasure"** satirizes a firefighter's casual heroism—a tall gentleman walks into a burning building without proper equipment, then emerges unscathed, remarking that a circus performer (a "Fire-Eater") could accomplish the same feat. The joke mocks the gentleman's nonchalance about a genuinely dangerous situation. **"Time Out"** is a brief joke about a man named Higgins staying up late watching movies and street clocks—likely satirizing early cinema's novelty and addictive appeal. **"Two in a Taxi"** presents a couple discussing whether one kiss equals multiple car horns, a flirtation joke referencing automobile culture. The bottom cartoon shows two men outdoors admiring "nature," which "looks so natural"—likely mocking artificial or overly romanticized views of nature.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ERRY, CAN I HONK YOUR HORN?” , YOU CAN HAVE THREE HONKS.” “WELL, I THINK I'LL TAKE ONE OF THEM NOW.” Time Out ee HAT makes you think Higgins was lit up last night?” “Well, I sat next to him at the movies and when they showed the news-reel he tried to set his watch by a clock in one of the street scenes.” “TT SYRE IS. Two in a Taxi E (carnestly): One kiss is all I ask. Sue: But this is a non-stop street. INDNESS: Taking the mail car- rier for a nice walk on Sunday. pe ON “ISN’T NATURE WONDERFUL?” “THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT.” Duty with Pleasure “TIRE!” Clouds of smoke poured from the doomed building. A tall emaciated gentleman hove into view. He was running up the street, a joyous smile on his face. With not even a helmet to shield him or a thimble of water to aid him, he walked into the burning house, and shortly there was not a single blaze nor a puff of smoke left. In a little while the gentleman emerged, loosening his belt and look- ing altogether happy and uncharred, “Well,” I exclaimed, “that bird is a cuckoo—certainly can put a fire out!” “Put it out?” scoffed a spectator. “Put it in, you mean! Why, that gink’s been with a circus forty years: he’s a retired Fire-Eater, he is, and I'll bet that’s the first square meal ” he’s had in a month! Cyril B. Egan. AND IT ALL LOOKS so NATURAL!” comicbooks.com