Life, 1926-12-09 · page 36 of 45
Life — December 9, 1926 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising and light humor**, not political satire. The main content is "How About You?" by Rud Rennie—a comedic essay mocking the absurdity of unsolicited business solicitations. The joke: The narrator receives invitations from banks, trust companies, and retailers (the "Hope & Trust Company," "Worst National Bank," a shoe store) claiming to offer expert advice. When he visits each, he discovers he has no estate, no property, and no travel plans—making their "expertise" irrelevant. Staff respond by calling police to remove him, treating him as suspicious for not wanting their services. **The satire targets**: 1920s aggressive marketing and the assumption that everyone needs financial/consumer products; the absurdity of institutions creating problems to sell solutions. The page also features travel advertisements (Santa Fe railroad, steamship lines) and a tooth-hygiene product ad—typical Life magazine content of this era (appears to be 1927).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life California showers hi Ciformig cava lavish pes upon the entire She gives health, joy and all-year playgrounds to the children; variety and the stimulus of a novel exper- ience to men and women alike. California is a magnificent relief—a gallant adventure —dovetailed into the pro- saic labors of every-day living. The Santa Fe operates five daily trains to California —all of them top-notchers in their class. But the very best train is the new Chief —extra fast, extra fine, ex- tra fare. Only two business days on the way—Fred Harvey dining service on the Santa Fe is supreme in the world of travel. After California— Hawaii _.just mail this, How About You? GET invited to the strangest places to do the silliest things. My morning's mail is nothing but one invitation after another. What about your estate? Is your wife provided for?” With these opening remarks, the Hope & Trust Company invited me to consult its experts on the im- portant matter of making a will. The Worst National Bank first ac- cused me of leaving money and valu- ables lying around the house and then asked me to inspect its safety de- posit vaults. And the Squeaky Booterie insisted that before I left for the Riviera I should look over its line of shoes. Well—I donned my best suit and hat and went to the Hope & Trust Company, presenting my invitation. I was conducted to a man in a swivel chair who looked as if he had been attending to other people’s business for years. “Ah, yes," he said; about this, ah, will. you wish to e the estate?” “What estate?” I asked. “Why, ah, I suppose you under- stand that, ah, your wife, according to law, : “now, ah, To whom do I interrupted, “I have no H'm. Well, ah. is this?” How “Your property,” he ar goods; your. I have no property “Well,” he said. “What, al what do you want? What, ah.. “IT don’t want anything,” I said. “You invited me to come here to consult with experts.” He beckoned, and a special police- snapped ; I told him. man came and ushered me out. I went to the Worst National Bank and said I had come to inspect the ults. They telephoned for the po- 1 nd wanted to ha ¢ arrested. The Squeaky Booterie was more obliging until they found out that I was not going to the Riviera and had no inten i and brought down twenty different pairs of shoes, slippers, brogues, and boots. The caring horribly when I left. It had never occurred to them that, after all, I might not be going to the Riviera. I do get invited to do the silliest things. I suppose I shouldn’t pay any attention to them. Rud Rennie. THE flapper’s life is one swift round of activity—day in and night out. ENGLAND GERMANY IRELAND Attractive and comfortable accommodations ar cffered on these splendid steamers Resouuts, Rese ance, Hamsuno (new), Deutscutano and Aust Batuy. Alsoon the one<class Cabin steamers C: Lawo, Tauatnota and Wesrrmatta, World fascny cuisine and service. ©Anound mWworld 138 day Cruise—25 Countries S. S. RESOLUTE Rates $2,000and up Leaving New York, Jan. 6, 1927 Gio the West Indies onthe S. S. RELIANCE DEC. 18—15days JAN. 8—15 days JAN. 26—27 days FEB. 26—27 days MARCH 30—15 da: Rates $200 and $300 and up HAMBURG- AMERICAN LINE UNITED AMERICAN LINES, INC. General Agents 28 Broadway, New York Branchesin Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco or local steamship and tourist agents . | Science proves the danger of bleeding gums \OAST defense protects thelife of a nation. gum defense the life of a tooth On the gum line danger lies. If it shrinks through Pyorrhea decay strikes into the heart of the tooth. Beware of gumten- derness that wares of Pyorrhea. Four out of five people over forty have Pyorthea ~ smanyunder fortyalo Loosenieg teesh nd ate Pyorrhea Bleed ing gums. too. Re member — these © flamed bleeding gems act as $0 many door ways for disease ms to ener the on angie ments Forhan's posively preventsPyorhea. é used in time and used consis it hardens the gues |. the teeth become femer, Brush your teh with Forhan’s. bt cleans the teeth scxenofically “beeps them white and clean. If gum shrinkage [fas already at 8 start using Fochan's ‘and consul a de tistimmedsately for i special treazment ]} PREPARED YOR THE, i] PRESCRIPTION ads bad 35 and 60 mbes All Druggess . 7 ny Fates Forkan’s, Ltd. “Montreai comicbooks.com