Life, 1926-09-16 · page 27 of 40
Life — September 16, 1926 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects short humorous pieces mocking contemporary social behaviors: **"Complimentary Couplets"** ridicules affectations of wealthy or fashionable people—men wearing white spats without socks, women putting paper orchids in cars, taking taxis to dime stores. **"Women at Their Worst"** satirizes indecisive female diners who overwhelm waiters with elaborate menu questions while their male companions simply order steak. The joke reflects period gender stereotypes about women's frivolousness. **"Narrow Escapes"** presents absurdist humor: a high-altitude worker fears witnessing a pedestrian accident rather than his own danger; a father bewildered by college expenses thinks girls need only garters and a train ticket. **"The Book Lovers"** depicts a mother relentlessly denying her son candy while explaining her refusals, then yielding to two pieces—mocking parental inconsistency. **"A Good Haul"** makes dark humor from bank robbery, joking that criminals "got" innocent bystanders alongside actual valuables. The cartoons use simple ink drawings to accompany these satirical vignettes targeting class pretension, gender roles, parenting, and modern anxieties.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Complimentary Couplets LOVE the way that Rupert Lord Puts paper orchids in his Ford. For Mabel Crouse I have a yen; She takes a taxi to the five-and-ten. I'm quite intrigued by Walter Knox; He wears white spats, omitting socks. Of foreign lands, ’tis Mexico To which I'd like best not to go. G. S.C. Women at Their Worst OU: How about a nice steak? Sue: Well, let’s see. Waiter, omelette 4 la Carcasonne? (The waiter carefully explains.) You: The steaks are really good iter, are the lobsters nice? aiter assures her they are.) Perhaps you'd like a chop? Sue: I wonder—something in a chafing-dish—or a salad. What's Flamboyants of Capon, waiter? (The waiter long-sufferingly goes into great detail.) You: I think I'll have steak. Sne: Is it safe to order oysters so early in September? Waiter, could they make me up one of these chef's special grills? (The waiter assures her that they could—very easily.) You (husky with joy): And some potatocs— Sie: Waiter, never mind the grill. I don’t think I care for it. Waiter, what's Rococo of Veal? (But the waiter has disappeared.) You (long since reduced to idiocy): How about a nice You: Robert Lord. Narrow Escapes NTERVIEWER: Aren't you sometimes frightened when you look down at the street below you? Sreepresack: Yes. Only yesterday I thought sure I was going to sce a pedestrian get run over. 'ATHER can’t understand why there should be such a turmoil over outfitting a girl for college. From what he is able to observe, all she needs is a new pair of garters and a railroad ticket. Dusty the Pup: SUPPLY OF BON The Book Lovers No, Not One NO: Johnnie, positively you can- not have another single picce of candy....No, absolutely not! Now, don’t start tuning up to cry, or I'll give you something to ery for. -.-No, I n't give you a piece of afterward... .Now, dry right said not another piece of candy and you've simply got to learn REST OF MY LIFE. LL BET THERE’S A BIG ENOUGH IN THAT BIRD TO LAST ME THE that Mother means what she says... . Besides, too much candy isn’t good for little boys....Stop whining now; I said no. re you trying to drive your mother distracted? And my poor head's just splitting in two!...NO! I. said....There, don’t ery, now—I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck before this day's over. I simply can't stand the noise. +..Why don’t you go out- side and play? H! Please do hush... . Will you go on out if I do?...Very well, then —but only two pieces, mind you....Now, get out and stay out....Thank Heaven! Now I can have a few moments’ peace....That child has just simply got to learn some day that when I say no, I mean it.” Marion E. Burns. A Good Haul IM: Bandits have just robbed the First National Bank! Witt: What did they get? Jim: A teller, a policeman and a couple of innocent by- standers. comicbooks.com