Life, 1926-11-25 · page 8 of 44
Life — November 25, 1926 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1920s *Life* magazine page contains two satirical pieces: **Top:** "Shakespeare on the Radio" mocks radio as a noisy nuisance, using Shakespeare's famous quote to suggest the medium makes listening pointless. **Main cartoon:** "If Ladies Exhibited Their Husbands as They Do Their Dogs and Children" satirizes how women publicly display and brag about their husbands' professional accomplishments. Mrs. Smith boasts that her husband James is "a great, big little man" and "the very nicest man in the office"—reducing him to a trophy-like possession, much as women might show off prize dogs or children. The humor targets how wives publicly perform their husbands' worth rather than recognizing them as independent individuals. **Right side:** Advertisements for automobiles and a joke about radio debt collectors.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SHAKESPEARE ON THE RADIO av ‘TIS NO MATTER HOW IT BE SO IT MAKE NOISE ENOU jOUS INSTRUMENT! HARK, POLYDORE, IT SOUNDS. Cymbeline. N TUN As You Like It. If Ladies Exhibited Their Husbands as They Do Their Dogs and Children (Mrs. Smith and her very best friend, Mrs. Jones, are finishing their tea. The door opens and in romps Mr. Smith like a breath of fresh air. He has a pile of ledgers and check books under his arm which he slings in the corner, closely fol- lowing with his derby and stick.) RS. SMITH: Here’s James now. Mrs. Jones, this is my little man. James, shake hands with Mrs. Jones. Was he a great, big clever husband to-day? And was he the very nicest man in the office? Mrs. Jones: What a cunning jus- band! And such a large fellow, too, Does he know any tricks? Mrs. Smita: And how! Why, only the other day his boss, Mr. Murchison, told me he was showing marked improvement in his work and his deportment is simply marvelous. James, show Mrs. Jones how you can blow rings. Mrs. Jones (with a big hug): What a dear! You must come over some night and play with my hus- band, James. I’m sure you boys would just love each other. Mrs, Samiti: How nice! You see I don’t let him play with any of the husbands around here. They make Now, James, sing for Mrs. Jones and then you may go in the kitchen and Mary will give you your whisky and soda. . (Mr. Smith pouts and kicks the chair from under Mrs. Jones. He is dragged, screaming and kicking, from the room.) Phyllis R yan, him wild. The Automobile Salesman Chooses a Wife QPEEDY. Latest model. Smart, stylish new body lines. Brilliant color finish. Quiet, free from chatter. Low maintenance cost. Dependable. Easy to handle in traffic. Small monthly payments. Call for a demonstration. W. W. Scott. Symbolic “THE Prince looks pleased.” “Yes, the Mayor just presented him with the corkscrew to the city.” squeaks and Host (grandly) : ves, THERE’s NO DOUBT THAT THE RADIO HAS COME TO STAY... .WHAT Hortense: 17’8 A COLLECTOR, SIR. 18 IT, HORTENSE? HE SAYS IF YOU DON’T PAY UP THE INSTALLMENTS, HE’LL HAVE TO TAKE YOUR RADIO SET BACK, comicbooks.com