Life, 1925-12-03 · page 46 of 84
Life — December 3, 1925 — page 46: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces mocking early 20th-century American life and politics. **"The Hall of Fame"** (main story by Newman Levy) is the centerpiece satire. It ridicules the newly-established Hall of Fame by having a character named Billings treat historical figures as if they were obscure athletes and entertainers elected through political campaigning. He confuses John Paul Jones (Revolutionary War admiral) with a quarter-miler runner, Edgar Allan Poe with a Princeton halfback, and Walt Whitman with a District Attorney candidate. The joke: Americans have reduced serious historical achievement to celebrity popularity contests decided by campaign managers, slogans, and contributions—treating greatness like a political election rather than genuine accomplishment. The smaller cartoons ("Reciprocity," "With No Maybe," "The Rising Young Business Woman," and the mistletoe panel) are brief humorous observations on gift-giving, business deals, changing women's fashion, and holiday logistics. The top cartoon depicts an American tourist in London asking for "real beer," suggesting Americans abroad have poor reputations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
American (in a London restaurant) KANSAS. I WONDER, NOW, A LITTLE Reciprocity “C)H, look, Charles,” exclaimed the author's wife, “what a beautiful Christmas present I bought for you— a lovely set of lace curtains for the dining-room !" “I anticipated your thoughtfulness, dear,” said he, “and just see what I have got for you—a cunning little port- able typewriter—for my desk!" AY, JONES IS MY NAME, FROM EMPORIA, THERE ANY CHANCE OF GETTING REAL BEER? With No Maybe EPHISTO: What's your reaction to my proposition, doc? Favs I'm absolutely sold on it, Old Boy! Absolutely sold! Show me the dotted line. HE Rising Young Business Woman rolls down her stockings and goes to work. MISTLETOE 1S SCARCE BECAUSE IT TAKES SO LONG TO PICK IT. The Hall of Fame Bus dashed into my office in great excitement. “He's elected!” he exclaimed. “Just heard it over the radio.” “Who's elected?” I inquired. “Jones—John Paul Jones. I'm so excited I can hardly talk. I've been sitting up getting the returns—" “What election about?” I said. “The Hall of Fame, of course,” re- plied Billings. “I forgot to tell you, { was on the Jones campaign committee, making speeches on the street corner—” “He was a great admiral,” I said. “Admiral nothing,” said Billings “He was one of the greatest little quarter-milers they ever had on the cinder track. You should have seen that lad in the Intercollegiate down at Phila- delphia. How that boy could run!” “I didn’t know they had athletes in the Hall of Fame,” I said. “Sure,” Said Billings. “Didn't. Fd Poe, the Princeton halfback, make it?” “Who else was elected?” I asked. “Some bird named Booth, He was the Actors’ Equity candidate—” “Booth? Never heard of him.” “Neither did I,” said Billings. “There used to be a Sam Booth on the Keith Circuit who did a bicycle act—" “What did they put him in the Hall of Fame for?” “Well, it was a swell bicycle act,” said Billings. “Still, he had a hard fight He was running against a fellow named Walt Whitman—" “Yes, I know,” I nodded. “The bird that ran for District Attorney.” “That's the lad. He couldn't quite make the grade, though, The trouble with this Hall of Fame bunch is that they don’t understand politics. What they need is a campaign manager, and buttons and slogans and things.” “Why don’t you take the job?” “I'm going to,” said Billings. “I'm booming a fellow named Eli Whit- ney—" don't think I ever heard of him.” “That's because you're plain ignorant. He's the lad who invented gin. “Is that a fact?” I said. “Then he'll certainly get my vote.” “We're going to have banners, and buttons for the kids, and everything.” said Billings. “We'll probably call on you for a contribution.” “Put me down for two cases,” I said. Newman Levy. are you talking comicbooks.com