Life, 1927-01-27 · page 5 of 35
Life — January 27, 1927 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical pieces from what appears to be the 1920s era: **"Ballad of Deferred Payments"** mocks the then-popular installment-buying system ("a dollar today and a dollar per week"), suggesting it keeps consumers perpetually indebted while collectors pursue them relentlessly. **"Night Club Version"** appears to reference Prohibition-era excess and lawlessness, with a dialogue about arrest and drunkenness, plus a joke about a White House New Year's Eve serenade by trombonists—possibly alluding to political figures or events of that period. **"Misunderstood"** is a visual joke about miscommunication between a man and woman regarding "parlor tricks." **"Sixty Years Young"** and the Wayne B. Wheeler reference suggest commentary on aging and contemporary figures, though the specific references are unclear without additional context. The page reflects 1920s consumer culture and social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Lifve Ballad of Deferred Payments 7,ROM Nome to the tropics, Seattle to Maine, We join in the ditty and lift the refrain: Buy it to-day and remit as you can— It’s simple, quite simple, our easy-pay plan— A dollar to-day and a dollar per week, A system exceedingly clever, Just a dollar to-day and a dollar per week, Forever—and ever—and ever. Furniture, jewelry, dresses and clocks, Furnishings, radios, headgear and socks, Chinaware, silverware, blankets and silk, Phonographs, saxophones, frigidaires, milk, Limousines, magazines, books by the shelf: Nice easy payments—be good to yourself. For a dollar to-day and a dollar per weck Reviving the time-honored hide-and-go-seek With the surly collectors who grumble and peek And leave you—no, never—no, never; But follow you on through the turbulent day— And phone you at night when you'd rest from the fray— For the dollar per week that you promise to pay Forever—and ever—and ever. Griff Crawford. Night Club Version MAGISTRATE: Officer, are you sure this man was drunk when you arrested him? Cop: Well, Your Honor, I discovered him on my beat arguing with a padlock. N the New Year's Eve program at the White House was a serenade to the Coolidges by four trombone players. On second thought, we believe we, too, would rather be right than President. “WHAT'S YA HURRY? THAT TAXI WON’? HIT You. it’s YELLOW.” Sixty Years Young ’ « HAT’S the beauty specialist doing in the jewel- Pele er's?” eo) “There's a grandfather's clock needs its face lifted.” Misunderstood He: po you KNOW ANY PARLOR TRICKS? Warde B. WHEELER——Onr national back-seat She: 'M NOT THAT KIND OF A GIRL, driver. comicbooks.com