Life, 1925-11-19 · page 9 of 40
Life — November 19, 1925 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains two distinct pieces: **Top cartoon**: A sketch of a crowded social scene (appears to be at a sporting event or public gathering) with the caption "EXIT THIS WAY" and dialogue between a "Cheer Leader" and "Dumb Dora" — a character type popular in 1920s humor representing a foolish young woman. The joke plays on her literal confusion about what "game" was being discussed. **"A Hitherto Untold Tale"**: A fairy-tale parody about a character named Alec who, frustrated with a fairy's delays in granting wishes, invents the telephone himself instead of waiting. This appears to be satirizing either inventor ambition or American impatience with traditional methods. **"The Question"**: A brief joke about an American tourist asking a guide at an ancient castle how someone acquired an eye injury—likely mocking American bluntness or naïveté. The overall tone reflects early 20th-century American humor conventions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Cheer Leader: we.t, HOW DID YOU LIKE THE Gs « “ANP what,” asked the fairy, “can I do for you?” “Well,” replied Alec, “I'd like to be taken to the land where candy grows trees, where it is always warm sun- and where there are rabbits to with.” tlesnakes ?” Rabbits!” And Alce found himself in a new But there were marbles, not candy, on the trees, and it was night when he arrived. Besides, there were reat many rattlesnakes and no its. ‘airy! Fairy!" called Alec. After a long delay the fairy ap- peared, “Yes?” “This isn't what I asked for,” said Mec. “There is no candy or sunshine here—and not a single rabbit.” “t beg your pardon!” exclaimed the fairy. “Here you are.” But this time there were no trees, the rabbits wouldn’t play with him, and it rained continually, EXIT THIS WAY Dumb Dora: wHat Game? “Fairy! impatiently. Another long delay, and then: “Yes?” “I want candy, playful rabbits, and Fairy!” yelled Alec again, “THIS ‘STRAIGHT LEFT ARM’ STUFF IS GREAT FOR TRAINING MY GOLF.” Hitherto Untold Tale warm, bright weather. You haven't given me any of them.” “Pardon me, but we're very busy just now. I'll try again.” But now the candy was up on a cliff where Alec couldn't get at it. More- over, it was extremely cold, and again there were rattlesnakes, “Fairy! Fairy!” “Well?” (After the usual delay.) “Still. you don’t give me what I want!” “Excuse it, please.” “Yes,” replied Alec, “I will, because you have given me a Great Idea.” And Alec, whose whole name was Alexander Graham Bell, went home and started work on his Great Idea. Before he died he had invented the telephone. Parke Cummings. The Question UIDE (at ancient castle): This is the moat. Are there any questions you would like to ask? American: Yes. How in heck could a fellow get one of those in his eye? comicbooks.com