Life, 1926-11-11 · page 42 of 45
Life — November 11, 1926 — page 42: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine (undated but appears early 20th century) contains satirical commentary on American social anxieties. The main cartoon mocks people overly concerned with trivial matters—whether a lover truly cares, if one's hair looks "really" good, or if a skirt is "really" short enough. The satire suggests Americans obsess about superficial concerns while neglecting genuine health (the throat protection theme). The "Westward, Ho!" piece humorously suggests American pioneers left home not from adventurous spirit but from discomfort—attributing westward expansion to uncomfortable Colonial furniture rather than manifest destiny or economic opportunity. This inverts the romantic narrative of pioneering. The advertisements (Smith Brothers cough drops, Barbrasol shaving cream, Babasol razor, and Halfonte-Haddon Hall hotel) are period commercial content, not satire. The page reflects Jazz Age anxieties about modernity, social propriety, and changing values—poking fun at contemporary preoccupations with status and appearance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE SILLY? No protection! Yet many people are silly about their throats that same way! Cold, dust, germs, strike the delicate membranes: coughs, sore throats result. Smith Brothers’ cough drops safely protect and gently medi- cate the throat tissues. They quickly soothe irritation, relieve hoarseness, ease and stop the cough. Your whole throat is cooled, cleared, refreshed. “The cheapest health insurance in the world” Things That Really Matter “ps he really looking at me?" “How fast can the old hack really travel?” “How may I know. if she really loves me?” . “Would my hair really look bet- ter shingled closer?” “Can we really afford not to live in this neighborhood?” “Is the show really risqué?” “Is this really good stuff?” “Do you think this skirt is really short enough?” , “Yes, my dear, I really danced with the Prince of Wales. “Did she really say that about me?” ME. Bz Westward, Ho! AY ER attempting to sit in a gen- uine Colonial chair or to sleep in a genuine Colonial bed with any de- gree of comfort, one is better able to understand why the American pio- neers were always so willing to leave home and push into the wilderness, The Best Friend on the Road A great traveling companion, this Bar- basol. No tools to pack except the good old razor. No brush. No rub-in. And a real head-barber shave! 35c and 65c tubes. Indianapolis, eres 4 I enclose 10c. Please send trial 4 Fee For Modern Shaving ATLANTIC CITY In the very center of things on the Beach and the Boardwalk, Especially delightful during the winter months are the broad deck porches facing | the sea with their comfort- able steamer chairs looking down on the flowing life of the Boardwalk. For the more active — golf, riding | on the beach, theatres, Boardwalk activities, fasci- nating shops, music and entertainment. American Plan Only - Always Open Mlustrated Folder on Request “Dual Trio” Radio Concerts every Tuesday evening—Tune in on WPO at 9. LEEDS ano LIPPINCOTT Co. —SEEEEEEEEEee (QUSH TLANINAL PRINTING CORPORATION, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK Next Week— ANNOUNCEMENT of winners of the GAY NINETIES CONTEST in the Thanksgiving Number with a cover by F. G. COOPER and a double-page cartoon in color by ANTON OTTO FISCHER Then—the Radio Number with a cover by JOHN HELD, JR. And THEN—the Christmas Number with a cover by COLES PHILLIPS comicbooks.com