Life, 1924-12-25 · page 30 of 37
Life — December 25, 1924 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines short satirical verses, humorous anecdotes, and cartoon advertisements typical of *Life* magazine's format. The humor relies on wordplay and social observation rather than political commentary. The cartoons mock everyday situations: a motorboat owner's confused request to "throw off that painter" (a rope) is misunderstood as an insult to an artist; fashion industry absurdities are noted (waists dropping below knees); and Douglas Fairbanks' *Thief of Bagdad* is referenced as cultural touchstone—a child naively wishes for the film's magic carpet to skip arithmetic homework. The anecdotes satirize human nature: Sophie Tucker's fear of becoming "too much of a damned lady," Elbert Hubbard's observation that imagined troubles outnumber real ones, and the observation that "pessimists tell the truth prematurely." The page advertises *Life* subscriptions as holiday gifts, emphasizing weekly entertainment and humor. Overall, this reflects early 20th-century middlebrow American humor—gentle, domestic, and focused on amusing social observation rather than sharp political critique.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
French at a Glance An Englishman found an estaminet, And asked for a sandwich with in it; But they said to him, Navons rien de plus,” So he left the estaminet damnin’ it. —Cambridge Granta. jam “Nous Keep Smiling Madam Sophie Tucker says: “I am always afraid that I'll become too much of a damned lady.” What was it Elbert “I'm an old man and Hubbard said : I've had many troubles; but most of them never hap- pened."—New York Morning Telegraph. “Snatt I tell her she’s the I ever kissed?” “Sure, but don’t prove it! —Dartmouth Jac first girl “WE PLUNG Lantern. A ressitist is a man who tells the truth prematurely.—Cyrano (Paris). Lire is published every Thursday, sim 8. Great Britain, ada and British Possessions. ‘Title registered in U. S. Patent Office. $5.00 a year In advance. Additional postage to foreign countries in the Postal Onion, $1.60 a year; to Canada, 80 cents. Back numbers cannot he supplied. multaneously In the United St The text and illustrations in Lire are copyrighted. For Reprint Rights in Great Britain apply to Lire, Rolls House, Breams Buildings, Fetter Lane, London, £.. C., England. HIS ARMS ROUND HER waist.” Magic The subject under discussion by the grown-ups was Douglas Fairbanks in “The Thief of Bagdad.” They were commenting on the magic carpet, par- ticularly. The little daughter had also seen the picture. “Well, I wish I had a carpet like that,” she said. “I'd just say ‘Whif? and my ‘rithmetic lessons would be all done. —Indianapolis News, Came the Dawn Conclusion reached after five years of prayer and cogitation by the eminent South Bend Tribune: “The best and easiest solution of the Prohibition problem would be for people to quit drinking.” —American Mercury. The Creation Visitor: What a pretty frock, Vera! Did Mummy make it for you? Davcuter or New Weartut (scorn- fully): Madame Drucille dresses me. —Punch. {According to a fashion note, waists will be below the knees this season. J Latest Scotch story: A Scotchman gave a waiter a tip—and the horse lost —London Evening News. —Eve (London). The foreign trade supplied from Live's London Office, Rolls House Breams Buildings, London, E. C. Canadian distributor, ‘The America News Company, Ltd., 386-288 St. James Street, Montreal, Canada. No contributions will be returned unless accompanied by stamped er addressed envelope. Lire docs not hold itscif responsible for the loss Non-return of unsolicited contributions, Notice of change of address should reach this offce two weeks prior to the date of issue to be affected. For That Holiday Gift For the Friend You Almost Forgot! a e ye subscription will be just the thing! Only one copy could have ar- rived there by Christmas anyway, and its amusing pictures and bright text, the best of their kind, will come weekly all through the year, just as if you had started in time. You want to give the very best, and that surely is Lire With Its Laugh on Every Page! A Christmas Card in colors, announcing your gift, will be sent on request. Christmas Order Enclosed find Five Dollars (Canadian $5.80, Foreign $6.60). Send Lire for one year to Lire, 598 Madison Avenue, New York (133) Motor Boat Owner: wey! Witt YoU THROW OFF THAT PAINTER? Bystander: ANYTHING TO OBLIGE. comicbooks.com