Life, 1926-10-07 · page 12 of 44
Life — October 7, 1926 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical article criticizes the rapid proliferation of "stereopticon" (magic lantern) shows—early projected-image entertainment devices appearing in public halls across America. The author argues these commercial shows are degrading American culture by replacing traditional home entertainment and family activities with passive spectatorship in "ill-smelling rooms." The piece warns that stereopticon "palaces" are spreading nationwide, even internationally, and fears they're corrupting youth by exposing them to lowbrow entertainment. The author sarcastically questions whether American homes will be "degraded" and whether the daguerreotype tradition—presumably more wholesome—will disappear. Essentially, this is an early critique of commercialized mass entertainment and its perceived threat to domestic life and cultural standards—a recurring anxiety during technological transitions.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Martyrs” lies idle on the , the wax fruit melts under its ass bowl. Men and women, America calls you! Bar this device of the d—1 from your midst! Preserve the sane of that most glorious of in- stitutions—the Home. Let us have an Anti-Stereopticon Week! Down with the “Magic Lantern”! Tip Bliss. From a Club Chair WO more changes in ministries nd the French politi will solve itself. The ex-Pret bloe will then have a clear majority in the Chamber. * *# # Little Willies witen 1 GROW UP I'M GOING TO BE A BRAVE SOLDIER AND GO European dislike of Ameri TO WAR LIKE You. a menace to our national sobri Father (home from Cuba): wurx you Grow Uv, MY BOY, THERE WON’? BE It may make us stay home, where ANY SUCH THING AS WAR. there is nothing to do but drink. ** # : Man surrendered his prim The Menace of the Stereopticon . woman's: eyes when he N this age of almost miraculous shoulder to shoulder with utter — the silk-worm to her. I scientific progress less amazement strangers? Only yesterday, the jour- ** «+ than would have been the case ten nals inform us, a vast crowd at the After long consideration of this years ago has been expressed over Cherry Hill Stercopticon Palace _ perplexing problem, I give it my the perfection of the invention of a ed in “Dolly Gray” and “The belief that the German police dog device known as the Stercopticon, or de of the Old Apple Tree. won the war. Magic Lantern, which is designed to Meanwhile, the home is deserted, James Kevin McGuinness. “show photographie pictures (i. e., daguerreotypes) on a screen as if standing out in relief.” Yet, now that this necromancy has been achieved, shall we look upon the Stereopticon as an unmixed bless- ing? No, a thousand times no! Shall the splendid old daguerrcotype of our forefathers, cause of so many hours of innocent enjoyment among the “kiddies” —aye, and the “grown- ups,” too, if you will—be abased to sordid commercialism? Again, no! Shall the American home be de- graded? No, no! Stereopticon “palaces” are spring- ing up all over our fair land. On every side audiences pack themselves into ill-smelling rooms, while a lec- turer exhibits views from Egypt— Germany—perhaps even the South Sea Islands, where a decent con- servatism of dress is not en régle. Aye, this and worse! Who has not heard of this device being used to throw upon the wall words, music and colored scenes of our so-called Picture No. 4 “popular” songs of the while WHO 18 THIS YOUNG HOPEFUL? WHAT IS HE FAMOUS FOR? the audience is invited to join in the (int: His taste in pets developed at an early age, as this picture proves. He is still very singing, as boys and young girls sit | much unmarried....Read the conditions of the Gay Nineties Contest on page 6.) . comicbooks.com