Life, 1926-04-08 · page 12 of 52
Life — April 8, 1926 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon depicts **Mr. Benchley interviewing Benito Mussolini**. The caricatured Mussolini has an exaggerated, protruding jaw—a common feature in anti-Mussolini propaganda. Benchley (likely humorist Robert Benchley, a Life contributor) questions Mussolini about his governmental theory, which the dictator claims dates to ancient Assyrian systems. The satire mocks Mussolini's grandiose historical pretensions and contradictory statements about governance. The lower section, titled "Mighty Man" and "Poore Le Sport," shifts to gentler domestic satire about changing fashion (long skirts and stockings) and leisure activities, unrelated to the political content above. This page likely dates to the 1920s-1930s when Life magazine regularly satirized international political figures through humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Mr. Benchley Interviews Benito Mussolini USSOLINI seemed to be a good M man to interview; so I got an interview with him “Mr. Mussolini,” I stand your theory of government, while it is not without its Greek founda- tions, it dates even farther back, in its essence, to the Assyrian “What?” asked Mussoli “I said, as I understand your theory of government, whi without its Greek i farther back to the ancient Assyrian sys- tem. Am I right?” “Assyrian here Kelly? K double L-Y. That was a good song, too,” said Il Duce. “A good song is right,” I replied. “And now might I ask, how did you come by that beard “That is not a beard,” replied the Great Man. “That is my forehead. 1 am smooth-shaven, as a matter of fact.” ystem.” foundati tes even seen “So you are, so you are,” I apolo- gized. “I was forgetting.” We both sat silent for a while, think- ing of the old days in Syracuse High. “Whatever became of her?” It was Il Kuce who broke the silence. “She married and went to Hingham to live,” I replied, watching him closely. He went white for the fraction of a Then he turned to me and second, “Give me your A, will you, please? » I gave him my A and we played “Les Patineurs” (“The Skaters”), and very pretty, too. “[ had almost forgotten how it went,” id. “You have forgotten how it went,” I corrected him. “You play awful.” Laughter followed this remark of he sa mine, But I noticed that Mussolini was not laughi “But about your theory of govern- ment,” I said, hoping to bring the roses back into those cheeks. “A lot of peo- ple try to tell me that it is Phonician, but I always say ‘No! “What is it they say it is?” asked Il Huce, all a-tremble with excitement. “Phoenician,” I repeated, putting in the “e.” “That's a tough one,” he said. “You'll have to give me a couple of minutes on that. Phoenician, eh?... Phoenician drive up in a hack and ask yer.” He put this forward tentatively. “Not so good, Il Duce,” I commented. His eyes filled with tears. “Oh, well, then,” I compromised, “have it your own way.” “I'll have it with plain water, please, and a little lemon-rind.” It was the Imperator who spoke. I signaled to the driver. “Stop the interview,” I said simply. Robert Benchley. Mighty Man ZCEMBER BRIDE: Where is my big, brave strong man going now? Hussanp: I want to find a couple of neighbors to help me with the screens. ONG skirts and long stockings used to be close affinities, but now they're drifting away from each other. POUR LE SPORT “THE GUIDE BOOK SAYS THIS PLACE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS SNAILS,” “WELL, IF THEY'RE RACING "EM TO-DAY, LET'S TAKE IT IN. WE COULD DO WITH A LITTLE EXCITEMENT.” comicbooks.com