Life, 1927-01-27 · page 15 of 35
Life — January 27, 1927 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate humorous pieces typical of early 20th-century satire: **"The Advertising Man Turns Novelist"** (by Bert Hanlon): Satirizes advertising copywriting by presenting Roy Hudgins, an ad man who applies high-pressure sales techniques to romantic scenarios. The joke mocks how advertisers used exaggerated claims and manipulative language to sell products—here applied absurdly to seduction. **"Unreciprocated"**: A brief cartoon about romantic rejection, with the caption playing on courtship pressure. **"The Book"**: Depicts family conflict over reading restrictions, where parents attempt to censor their daughter's literature—a common anxiety about literature's moral influence in this era. **"To Stork & Co."**: A joke about installment purchasing for baby expenses. These pieces collectively satirize consumerism, advertising excess, and social conventions of the period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life The Advertising Man Turns Novelist ‘Y was a raw December day and heavy gray skies were hanging over Fitchfield, an incorporated village of 12,000 with excellent factory sites. Roy Hudgins way plodding homeward after a hard day’s work in the roundhouse where he was employed by the Stencilvania Railroad Company, who insure’ the greatest of comfort on their solid steel coaches to Philadelphia, with the finest roadbed in America. It was the first snowfall of the year, and the beautiful white crystal flakes had stained his horn-rimmed glasses which he had purchased at Pyrowitz’s Fifth Avenue Store, where each and every customer is assured courteous attention and consultation is free of charge. Despite the blinding storm, he could see his beautiful bride of a month waving to him from the veranda of their home, a magnificent stucco house with three spacious rooms and all modern conveniences, including a private garage, so why not be your own landlord? Roy's heart was jumping with joy beneath his ‘““Never- rip” overalls which are guaranteed for two years and can be purchased at any first-class de- partment store. He had that springy step of youth which comes only from wearing O'’Mulli- gan’s heels that make walking a pleasure. As Roy crossed the wide an d_ beautifully Smackadamized Boulevard (you should have them in your town), he stopped to light a Plucky Strike (it’s Roasted) and failed to heed the loud warning of an on- rushing motor car. In « flash, he was swept beneath the balloon tires of a Socomobile, a Straight Eight, with all main chassis springs cushioned to ease the road shocks for motor and passengers. As those who wished to view the remains gazed | th wetled eyes upon the still features, they were gratified to know that you pay when the insurance is paid. Tur FE He: 1'p Lose IF you pub. Bert Hanlon. To Stork €¥ Co., Dr. \ JOMAN (at the door): No, we wouldn't think of buying anything on the installment plan at this tine. We're paying for our baby yet. WHEN a man sees red, he’s dangerous; when a woman sces red, she has to have one like it. Edythe: TUNNK YOU POR THE MUG AND Kiss. Smythe: Tue vRESSURE WAS ALL MINE. The Book Y daughter shall not get permission to read this book,” said Father. Then he sat down to finish it himself. “My daughter shall never read this book,” said Mother. “I shall burn it.” But she sat down to read it first. “If you people are through reading that book,” said Daughter, coming in from the neighbor's house, “please send it over to Grandmother's by Willic. She thought I'd like to look at it but J haven't time for such drivel.” James A, Sanaker. “WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOUR TEETH, SAM?” “THE TRESTLE DONE BROKE DOWN, SUH.” comicbooks.com