Life, 1924-05-22 · page 11 of 36
Life — May 22, 1924 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks a boxing match between "Handsome Harry" Haggerty and "Jimmy Jackson of the East Side Adonis." The humor centers on Haggerty being paired with a "beauty specialist" rather than a serious boxing trainer, suggesting he's absurdly unprepared for serious competition. The illustration shows two fashionably-dressed women in 1920s style, captioned "YOUR HAIR LOOKS SO NATURAL, DEAR. THAT'S ODD, IT IS." This suggests the satire critiques commercialized vanity and artificial beauty culture infiltrating unexpected domains—here, professional boxing. The piece appears to mock how celebrity culture and cosmetic concerns were becoming increasingly prominent, even in traditionally masculine pursuits like prizefighting. The joke is that Haggerty's "advantages" are superficial rather than athletic.
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The Future Prize Fight (‘Beauty Specialist Rebuilds Pugilist’s Ear.”"—News Item.) [ was evident that Handsome Harry Haggerty was su ed when his ackson, the East Side Adonis, stepped into th counted on the latter's opponent, Jimmy Having ken nose to insure him et to ¢ paired by n easy victory, he was a bit it had been re- xcauty specialist Harry is a game youngster, however, and he quickly pulled himself together, He then stepped calmly before the camera to pose for his picture with his opponent. A rumor circulated before ring time, to the effect that Handsome Harry had bribed the photographer to retouch the negative, proved to have ndation. Handsome Harry v»oked particularly impressive in the Discobolus. The East k his conventional at- gracefully ot with both ha out as if endeavoring to catch a short fly to the outfield. pose of the Side Ad titude palanced upon one f s stretched The excitement, as the bell gave the s to be taken, ninitiated eye it signal for measurem To the seemed that the men we was intense. surely bat- draw—the advantage given Harry by his rebuilt ear Leing easily offset by the splendid new nose which the Adonis had flashed so there was a ¢ and composure in Harry's movements as he submitted to the tape tle to a Handsome strategically. However, certain g evidence to the the win- which was sufficient old-timers that he would be ner if no upsets occurred. The first round was even, the ankle m urements of both men bein; Xe se of the Apollo lkelvedere. The slight advantage which the East Side Adonis obtained in the calves was lost in the thigh measure- actly the same as tl ments. At the bell for the round, Handsome Harry stepped forward con- fidently. fully during his training period that he second He had been banting so faith- was sure he could put Jackson to rout when the tapes went about the waist- line. To the surprise of every one, the East Side Adonis proved to be half un inch slenderer than his opponent However, a quick movement by Harry towards the pit of Jackson's stomach d the fraud; the latter had been holding his breath in distinct violation expos “YOUR ATK “THAT'S ODD, of the Marchioness of Queensberry rules. The East Side Adonis the manner in which his fe way from th Harry blows before he could be infuriated a I had been exposed, br measur- ers and several dastardly subdued awarded Th referce immediately the contest and the prize (a contract to understudy Jimmy Valentino with the Flim Flam Film Co.) to Handsome Harry Haggerty. The Bo Com mission, consisting of five prominent artists, suspended Jackson for one year nd deprived him permanently of the LOOKS SO NATURAL, DEAR.” IT 18.” privilege the I This unfc most disgraceful Dempsey thr ropes. It was boxing ) things that brought Evolution of a President BEE in the bonnet A hat in the ring; A feather in the cap. comicbooks.com