Life, 1926-12-23 · page 23 of 37
Life — December 23, 1926 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces typical of 1920s-30s humor: **"Christmas Eve on the Radio"** is a comedic script mocking radio broadcasts. It presents Santa Claus narrating his North Pole departure with exaggerated sound effects (reindeer mishaps, jack-in-the-boxes, horns). The humor derives from the absurdity of radio drama—attempting to create vivid scenes through crude audio alone, with Santa repeatedly bungling his own departure. **"Terrible"** is a two-panel joke about absent-mindedness: a man so confused after a car accident takes his injured victim to a garage for repair while placing the car in a hospital—reversing what should be done with each. **"Big Talk"** contains brief quips, including a reference to Philadelphia's Sesquicentennial (likely the 1926 celebration), mocking civic boosterism. The "rug/putting green" cartoon shows a husband finally agreeing to replace a worn rug only after discovering it makes a makeshift indoor golf course—satirizing male stubbornness and unusual motivations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Christmas Eve on the Radio “Desk lads and lassies of the radio audience: this is Santa Claus broadcasting from Station BRR, North Pole. Well, kiddies, each and every one of you js in for a big treat this Christmas. It looks to me like a white Christmas. Yes, sir, here comes the snow. Stand by a minute and I'll let you hear the snow falling. Here you are: Whooosh! Hear it? That's the snow. Everything seems to be re or the big trip South. No, there’s one of the reindeer ipping out of the reins. Whe sher! Whoa, boy! Now he’s all right. No, he’s fallen down. He's getting up now. He's on his knees. He’s up! Dasher’s up again! “Just a minute while Santa finds his pack. Ah, there it is! Pretty full, too. Full of toys and dolls and things for good little boys and girls. Stand by a minute, boys and girls, while I rattle one of these jack-in-the- boxes. Rattle, rattle, rat- tle! Hear it? That's a jack-in-the-box for some little girl. Here's a horn, now. Honk! Honk! Hear it?) That’s a horn. ow you little lads and lassies must go to bed early to-night and shut your cyes very tight and go bye-bye, or Santa won't come down your chimney. No, sir! But if you're very good, Santa will fill your stocking full of dollies and candy- canes and stcam-engines and, uh, handkerchiefs. sir! “Good night, now, lads ies of the radio nta’s getting into his sleigh, There he g e’s in! No, he’s tripped on the runners. He's picking himself up out of the snow. Now he’s wi the snow off his face and something. minute. Yes, he’s saying: what cold snow!’ Now he’s in the sleigh. This is Santa Claus signing off for the night. tion BRR, North Pole. Merry Christmas!” Norman R. Jaffray. Terrible WILLIs: Smith had another accident last night. Gi Yes. He shouldn't be allowed to drive a He’s too absent-minded. Wituis: You're right. He took the man he hit to the garage to be repaired and then went over and put the car in bed at the hospital. Sta- car. “VOUR prayer has been answered,” cabled the Italian aviator, De Bernardi, to Mussolini upon capturing the Schneider Cup. Which may be considered first- hand information that Mussolini does pray. It only remains to determine whether, when thus engaged, II Duce upholds the best tradition by praying to himself. CarsGin b Garp Reporter: Now WHEN DID ALL THIS HAPPEN TO you? Movie Star: anovr TWO pivorces aGo. Big Talk O UR idea of a super-salesman would be one who could sell Philadelphia another Sesquicentennial. U\ pat ED YOURE RIGHT = \ ABOUT (UR NEEDING ANEW RUG FOR AS A RUG IT HAD SEEMED ALL RIGHT BUT AS A PUTTING GREEN IT WAS AWFUL — NINE YEARS OF NAGGING HADN’T CONVINCED HIM, BUT TWENTY MINUTES OF INDOOR PUTTING WON HIM OVER. comicbooks.com