Life, 1926-10-28 · page 18 of 36
Life — October 28, 1926 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a formal White House luncheon between the U.S. President and visiting royalty (identified as the Queen of Rumania through signatures). The main cartoon depicts the President and Queen exchanging pleasantries about food, beauty products, and cultural differences—the dialogue reveals the awkwardness of diplomatic small talk. The central figure "Nubbville Spark" appears to be a caricatured servant or official involved in the event. The satire mocks the artificiality of formal state dinners: both hosts strain to find conversation, discuss trivial matters (maple syrup, cosmetics, zithers), and pretend interest they don't feel. The lower illustration shows crowds witnessing this "Perfect" but stilted diplomatic encounter, labeled "She: DID YOU HAVE A NICE TIME IN MONTREAL? / He: SO THEY TELL ME"—suggesting participants merely repeat what others have told them rather than having genuine experiences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Scene: A Presidential Lunch-room, A Queen and a President enter, accom- panied by entourages. HE PRESIDENT: Let's set right down. Everything’s ready but the biscuits. They'll be done in a few minutes. Tue Queen (donning her native cos- tume): Ah, hot bis- cuits! Do you know, I find that St. Regis Baking Powder makes the best bis- enits for royal con- sumption, ‘T are light and flaky, and are quickly — made. Signed—Queen Marie of Rumania. Tire Presipent (donning his overalls and straw hat): Wal, a source of informa- tion close to the President wishes me to say that a good hot biscuit—is a good hot biscuit. Tne Queen (breaking into a na- tive dance): A great many people feel that they can not eat hot bread of any kind. I find that a dash of Zeeno Fruit Bitters, taken after a royal meal, will prove in- valuable to the hot-biscuit lover, as well as to the business man or woman. Signed —Queen Marie of Rumania. en_” That Royal Luncheon Nubbville Spark LUCIFER LOWNEY 18 HOME AFTER A FEW WEEKS’ VISIT IN CHICAGO DURIN’ WHICH HE SERVED A TEN- YEAR SENTENCE FOR BURGLARY. Perfect Tue Preswent (giving imitation of Vermonter drawing sap from a maple): The official spokesman of the White House does not mind its being known that the President finds maple syrup a grateful addition to a plate of hot biscuits. Tue Queen: I trust that it’s Perfecto Maplesapp. Signed — Queen Marie of Rumania. Tur Present: According to those close to the President —it is. Help your- self to the cream. Tue Que Mar- velo Vanishing Cream is very good, too. I would recommend it for royalty as well as for dramatic artists who wish to keep their complexions clear and youthful. Signed — Queen Marie of Rumania. Tue Presivent: It has been called to the President's attention that several kinsfolk of the official spokes- man of the White House are contem- plating a vaudeville tour as an orchestra playing native American folk-dances. Tue Queen: I can play a_ native Rumanian zither. Do you suppose they need a good zither, and what would they be willing to pay? She: pip YOU HAVE A NICE TIME IN MONTREAL? He: so THEY TELL ME. fur Present: The ripen kinspeople could not possibly see thirty a week. from Vermont. Tue Q envelope): thirty a week—three hundred Tue Prestoent: Minus ten per) for the agent. Tue Que N (figuring on the s: And the billing? Tue Presipent: You would b Tue Que! How about co-st you know. you'll be co-starred. Tue Qu Tue Pre Tue Que know. Tue Prest set's see—ten weekf i : It's for Is ay They are just pla f fe rin Tue Presipent: Twentttir ‘Tt: My peqple, just plain fo! Tur Qu “ll wear Tur Presipent: Twent (Enter the servitors, be and blank contracts.) R. JUGGS: H: married long? Mrs. Juces: No, I 4 MODEL husband | get his shins kicked! when company is preset comicbooks.com atin n't d