Life, 1925-10-22 · page 12 of 74
Life — October 22, 1925 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several distinct satirical pieces: **"Ballad of Radio Dramatics"** mocks early radio drama adaptations of classic literature—Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, etc.—arguing they're inferior to stage versions. The satire suggests radio actors overact and that these theatrical works lose their power when reduced to disembodied voices. **"Latest Naval Regulations"** appears to satirize military bureaucracy and politics, suggesting that political considerations (rather than merit) determine naval appointments and policy decisions. **"One of the Outs"** comments on government employment, using a character named John P. Blithering who "failed to land a Government clerkship last winter"—likely satirizing Depression-era unemployment and patronage systems. The bottom cartoon depicts a crowded train car with a conductor using a "tip-up floor" to force passengers forward, satirizing overcrowding and poor public transportation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SE NERNEY. He: 1 FEEL AS IF I'D KNOWN YOU ALL MY LIFE She: 'p Wave Latest Naval Regulations (Issued for the Guidance of Officers and Men in the Air Service) | POLITICS expects every airman to do his duty. 2. We can’t all be Congressmen, but we can at least fly over doubtiul Con gressional districts in a campaign year 3. In coming down out of control care should be taken to land in a spot where the souvenir concessions will do the most good. 4. The treacherous air lanes of the Solid South should be avoided unless it develops that the Republican Party has a chance down there, 5. Flights over the sca should be in- dulged in sparingly. Th qualified voters beyond ne limit is practically n number of three-mile gligible. 6. In attempting an altitude record, always remember that there is some once higher up 7. Never question the wisdom of an order from Washington. Now is the time for all good airmen to fly to the aid of the party. 8. The airplane is primarily a weapon of defense. Always use it with a view to protecting the party in power against defeat at the polls. 9, Let your watchword be economy, particularly when asked to supply in- formation before a naval board of in- quiry. FoAW. VOU UNDERSTAND I'M Not that ov. One of the Outs HO is the fellow who just re- marked that ‘b is the curse of the countr; “That's John P. failed to land a Government clerkship last winter.” reaucracy Blithering. He OTEL GUEST (in response to knock on door): Who's there? Voice Ovutsing: A message from a friend in another room, sir. Hotet Guest: Well, put it the door. Voice: Can’t do it, sir—I'd spill it under Ballade of Radio Dramatics E shades of Shakespeare, Sophocles De Vega, Ibsen, and Moli¢re, Sheridan, Aristophanes, Racine, Corneille, old Ben the rare— Ye ghosts, get on the ether, ere, Tuned into phantoms of the show, You're disembodied everywhere— The drama’s on the radio! Never did ancient tragedies, Plotted for heroes debonair, Do violence like the flippancies These atmosphere-adapters dare! Hist! That's Macbeth! Now fea him stare While Banquo microphones his woe! Ghost of a ghost, ye shades, take care, The drama’s on the radio! Gone are your Thespian sorceries, And gone the expectant glare, No more your sparkling repartees Shall rouse our there, Alas, where footlight rippling laughter midnight statics blare Accompaniment to your numbers, go! Beard the cold audience in his lair— The drama’s on the radio! LExvor Chant, Muse, this dirge: “First she was fair; Then tongucless on the serce' lo! Her body vanished in the air!"— The drama’s on the radio! Kirke Mechem > then ~~ TASKED YOU ) MOVE UP | CONDUCTOR USING THE TIP-UP FLOOR TO INDUCE PASSENGERS TO MOVF FORWARD IN THE CAR. comicbooks.com