Life, 1923-11-01 · page 37 of 41
Life — November 1, 1923 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains a satirical short story excerpt ("Portrait of a Lady Talking to an Actress") depicting a wealthy, gossipy society woman patronizing an actress. The humor lies in the woman's obliviousness: she claims to "adore the theatre" but rarely attends, considers stage life morally questionable, and is shocked the actress looks "nice and quiet, not a bit like an actress"—revealing her stereotyped assumptions about performers' respectability. The page also features period advertisements (Robert Burns cigars, Palace Hotel) and lighter humor pieces mocking contemporary life: a father's dismissal of his son studying "philology" (suggesting overeducation), and commentary on how easily college varsity letters are now awarded. The overall satirical target is upper-class snobbery and the cultural prejudices against theatre performers, alongside gentle jabs at modern educational and social pretension. The tone reflects 1920s-era Life magazine's focus on satirizing American social hypocrisy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Portrait of a Lady Talking to an Actress (Continued from page 14) ur play, and she said he must be— simply couldn’t look at you like it if he wasn’t. You don’t speak to ich other? Oh! well—I'm sure he's love with you just the same, because ister said— What? Oh! no. haven’t seen your play—I’ve been caning to, I adore the theatre, but go very seldom, unless it’s some- ing really good. So many of these uys nowadays—well, after all there's much unpleasantness in life, one esn't like to see it in the theatre— n't you think so? Well; as I said before, I always anted to go on the stage, but my mily just wouldn't hear of it, and en I was so busy, coming out, and erything, I simply didn’t have time r it. But I always wanted to, al- ugh I've heard dreadful things rout the life, so many temptations do tell me, dear Miss—er—just etween ourselves, have you— What? ‘h! must you really be going— ly? But it’s only one o’clock— © matinee doesn’t start till two- lirty, does it? Oh! you have to ress and make up? Well, you just come .out some week-end— me early Saturday—and stay over Monday. You have to play Saturday id Monday too? But couldn't they t you off for just that week-end? Good-by, dear Miss—er—it’s been ich a pleasure and I've loved our ttle chat—but do you know, I should ever have known you were on the tage—you look so nice and quiet, not bit like an actress. The same standard uniformity always Complete standardization—of our tobacco purchases, our blending processes, and every stage of manufacture—enables us to offer you this cigar of standardized uni- formity and distinctive value that is unique in the industry. All three sizes of Robt Burns Cigar are full Havana filled. National Brands—New York City THREE POPULAR SIZES—10c, 2 for 25c and 15c ge After all i nothing satisfies like ue a good cigar _4 fl 23 HOW MANY PERSONS , a \e WILL READ ees) Ve THIS COPY OF LIFE? San Tranciscos famous eMission Within ten minutes’ ride of THE PALACE HOTEL, which is practically the center of the city for all business and social activities, is the Mission Dolores. Built 140 years ago, still in excel- lent condition, it stands today 2 monument to the zeal and industry of Father Junipero Serra and the mission padres of those picturesque days of California's early history. Tn San Francisco Its The Palace THE PALACE HOTEL CManagement Halsey €. Manwaring, Market at New Montgomery St San Francisco. .--how we planned ad a certain book together, Go to a certain town where I had been, But you had never... And then there wa certain word, Used in a certain way, Though we made no admission, Others never heard us say. Think...there was a certain month, In a certain year, We thought to sce the full moon rise, Intimate and di 5 Yet now you have a certain manner, Perhaps a bit too grand, Which tells me all these certain things Are in another’s hand F. M. Too Much for Dad Mrs. Post: Our son writes that he is studying philology at college. Post: That's some encouragement After a while they may get around to teaching him spelling. Tue star cheer leader at an East- ern college was awarded thc varsity letter. If this keeps up the varsity letter will be almost as to get as the regular college degree. comicbooks.com