Life, 1926-01-28 · page 9 of 36
Life — January 28, 1926 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page documents a high school theatrical production called "An Interesting Experience," performed by Wheat High School's Senior Class. The photograph shows the cast in what appears to be a comedic scene involving characters named Melvin and Norman, with the caption explaining that Melvin is attempting to convince his friends of an African hunting story—a setup for the play's humor. The page is not political satire. Rather, it's a lighthearted review of a student production, typical of Life magazine's coverage of American social life. The joke appears to center on Melvin's implausible tall tale about Africa and his friends' skeptical reactions. The cast list and detailed character descriptions suggest this was a popular local entertainment event worthy of magazine coverage.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THIS PICTURE SHOWS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST SCENES OF THE PLAY WHERE 4, i LAIN AN AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPH. HIS RIVAL, Norman, 1s SEEN AT THE KIGHT, NOT BELIEVING WHAT Melvin SAYING The Senior Class Play Reviewed for the Wheat H. S. “Maroon and Lavender” by Robert Benchley, ‘27 I 'HE members of the Senior Class of Wheat High School Martha Hoston, ‘26, were the two girl-friends of the st Friday night put on “An Interesting Experience,” a and were excellent. Some very funny complica’ farce in three acts, and the affair was voted a great suc- from the fact that Helen (on cess by all who saw it. The story concerned the mix-up re- “sweet” on Norman (Melvin's rival hand of Marian) sulting from a young man making believe that he was a and had told her mother that she was spending the night 2 lion-hunter when really he was only laid up with a headache Winifred's house (the other girl-frien ! and roars of laughter greeted h tempts to convince his as a matter of fact, she was spending t friends (in the play) that he had been in Africa. Arthur in an attempt to convince her that Melzin wa Holker, '26, was Melvin Vandergrift, the young man, and with Winifred (the girl at wt I acted very comically in his em to be stayir barrassing experience. His face lawyer 7 when he was trying to explain “AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE” his friet er lawyet’ (Henry about his African lion-hunting A Farce in 3 Acts Kalb and Roger Wess. both '26) was a sight, and he was grected Presented by the Senior Class of the He the maid, and Jenks, ¢ with roars of laughter from the Watar Hic ‘Sencct butler, were Mary Ashe audience, man Danby, be It seems that before he had been sHEisse very good. Jenks Melvin Vandergrift, a young m not always truthful Arth he had promised to marry a girl of Thurston Norton, his fri that he was greeted with roars of Merian Braithwaite, Met: 7 y not casily fooled Esther 2 love with a boy of his acquaint- Helen Worthington, her friend and After th perf ance th ance. Esther McLelly, ‘26, was Winfred Hott penaes Lillian O Day, "26 | was dancing the girl and took her part very well good one........ artha Hos "26 freshments were served by the George Ponster, '26, was the rival Norman Ransome, a rival for the hand of of the Junior Class attired as Swiss : Marian.......... George Ponster, "26 ; and was also very good in his part, | Henry Ravlins. friend of Melvin's and waitresses. All agreed that the especially in the part where he was brother of Winifred Roger Wess, ° Senior Class should give another ‘ Henriette, the mai 5 Mary Ash supposed to not believe Melvin's Jenks, the butler Herman Dact play in the near futu it was story. Lillian O'Day, '26, and _ | going to be supposed to have gone to Africa, Yes, sir, thank you, sir,” so often his acquaintance who was also in laughter every time he said it in the Gym and r