Life, 1923-12-13 · page 32 of 36
Life — December 13, 1923 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a serialized short story by Robert E. Sherwood about an aging, struggling extra in silent-era Hollywood. The narrative uses a *Christmas Carol*-like structure: a "Spirit of Christmas" shows the Old Extra scenes of his former glory—a young Mounted Policeman he once played on film, and his roommate being honored back home in their native Iowa town. The satire targets Hollywood's harsh treatment of aging actors and the gap between screen fame and real-life poverty. The Old Extra's roommate owns only one suit, which serves as both his pride and sole asset. The story's gentle irony culminates in the Extra's humble Christmas joy—ordering beef stew—suggesting that redemption comes through accepting modest reality rather than chasing cinematic glory. References to "Will Hays" (Hollywood's censor) and "Agnes Ayres" (a contemporary silent film star) ground this in 1920s cinema culture. The page also contains period advertisements for hair products and musical instruments.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE At Cruger’s you will find exactly the articles which appeal to you in those smart little shops about London. Ties, hose, shirtings, etc. —the same which the well-dressed Britisher wears. Drop in—or if that is impossible, write us. CRUGERS I Just off 5th Ave. and ’round the corner from the Ritz // STACOMB keeps any kind of hair in place—just as it’s combed. Dry and brittle, soft and fluffy, stiff and wiry hair—all kinds controlled by STACOMB. Leaves hair soft and lustrous. Excellentafterashampoo. Insist on STACOMB—the original —in black and yellow package. At all drug counters. Tubes—35c Jars —75c Send coupon for Free Trial Tube. STANDARD LABORATORIES, Inc, [| 130 Stanford Ave., Los Angeles, California, Dent. 3-1. Please send me free trial tube, ne SS Another Christmas in Hollywood (Continued from page 24) the evil glint of destruction in their eyes. The audience, in a strange, musical tongue, shrieked warnings to the hand- some young Mounted Policeman, but he could not hear—because the silent drama is deaf as well as dumb. Suddenly one of the four villains sprang toward his prey. . . . The audience screamed. “Look,” commanded once more the Spirit of Christmas. The Old Extra peered curiously at the screen. “My God!” he shouted, “that villain it's me!” But he could see no more. He had been carried to a small Iowa town, buried deep in snowdrifts. “Step in here,” said the Spirit, indi- cating an impressive Greek temple which was marked “Women’s Club.” The Old Extra obeyed, and found him- self within an auditorium that was packed to the point of suffocation with excited people. A sombre gentleman in clerical costume was making a spcech. “And so,” he was saying, “I feel that we can symbolize the spirit of this day no more effectively than by welcoming -home, to the bosom of his loving family and loyal friends, this talented son of old Murfeesburgh, who has done so much to spread the name and fame of his native community by means of his splendid exploits on the silver screen. Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honor to present Mr. Wilbur Stevenson Carp.” Amid a riotous storm of applause there stepped to the front of the plat- form the Old Extra’s blushing room- mate, wearing the dress suit that was both his pride and his sole means of support. Curistmas Day dawned, and the Old Extra awoke to a world that was almost as bright and balmy as the Los Angeles papers said it was. With a start, he realized the room about him; the clothes hung carefully in the cur- tained wardrobe, the autographed por- trait of Agnes Ayres beside the mirror. With a whoop he sprang from his bed, leaped into his slightly moist gar- ments, and dashed downstairs, shouting to his startled landlady as he went: “A Merry Christmas! A Happy New Year! Bigger and Better Pictures! God Bless You, God Bless Will Hays, God Bless Us One and All—and let us remember that it isn’t a one-man job!” With gladness and good-will in his heart,’ he fairly raced along Santa Monica Boulevard to Pedro’s Mexican Cafeteria, where he happily ordered a. big, juicy, Christmassy bowl of beef stew. Robert E. Sherwood. cA Gift of Distinction Beauty Monogram Auto Signal CA tail lamp and stop signal combined, including, an illu- minated interchangeable name or monogram of automobile, CAN be installed on any car in a few minutes and without any alterations to the car. Full directions are enclosed in box. In ordering 4 mention make, Mailed Prepaid. Price com- plete ready to attach Safety First Auto Signal Co, Racine, Waco “*Pepful”” and _powe tone quality, scientific accurate scale, strong dur- able construction with ex- clusive Gibson “‘easy-to-play” features, make this Gibson Junior banjo a wonderful value. A full sized instrument with solid ebony fingerboard and gen: Gibson construction throughout. Send now for com- lete information, FREE, about this or any other istrument: New Mastertone Tenor Bano, in Banjo, Guitar Banjo, Cello Banjo, Mandc Mandola, Mando-Cello, Mando Bass, Guitar, Har Guitar. GIBSON MANDOLIN-GUITAR CO. 1212 Parsons St. Kalamazoo, Mic! Use PISO’S — this prescription quickly relieves children and adults. No opiates. ¢sizes where by noted specialist. Tells how to FEED AND TRAIN your dog KEEP HIM HEALTHY an CURE DOG DISEASES How to put dog in condition, kill fleas, cure temp. Q-W DoG REMEDIES and 150 illustra'ions of dogs leads, training calls, harness, strippin; combs, dog houses,’ ele. Mailed free Q-W LABORATORIES Dept. 19 Bound Brook, New Jersey comicbooks.com