Life, 1926-02-11 · page 40 of 40
Life — February 11, 1926 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a full-page cigarette advertisement, not a political cartoon. It depicts a theater lobby scene where well-dressed patrons mingle after the second act of a Broadway show. The ad associates Camel cigarettes with sophisticated entertainment and upper-class leisure. The pitch: smoking a Camel between acts enhances the theater experience and social pleasure. The copywriting employs lifestyle marketing—linking the product to glamorous occasions and refined moments. Notable claims include that Camels "never tire your taste" and don't leave an aftertaste, positioning them as superior to competitors. The ad emphasizes the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's scale and resources. This represents 1926 advertising before cigarette health warnings existed. The image and text work together to glamorize smoking as a marker of sophistication and worldliness for the magazine's affluent readership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Into the making of When the second act has come to an end—and the curtain is rung down amidst whirling applause—when you mingle outside with the excited throngs in the lobby —have a Camel! WHEN the thrilling second act of the best show of the year has just come to an end. And the stars have taken their curtain calls in answer to round after round of applause. When you join the crowds outside just as pleased and thrilled as yourself —have a Camel! For no other friend is so cheerful, so resting between acts as Camel. Camel adds its own romantic glamour to the bright- ness of memorable occasions. No other cigarette ever made— and kept—so many friends. Camels never tire your taste no matter how liberally or zest- fully you smoke them. Camels never leave a cigaretty after- taste. All the desire to please, all the skill to serve of the largest tobacco organization in the world, goes into this one cigarette. So when you leave the theatre pleased and inspired for greater things, when you see life's prob- lems and their solutions clearer —lift the flame and taste the mellowest smoke that ever came from a cigarette. Have a Cemel! Our highest wish, if you know’ Camet s that you try ¢ invite you to compare Camels with any cigarette made et comicbooks;com