Life, 1927-02-17 · page 29 of 34
Life — February 17, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Uncle Borgia" Sketch:** This satirical play-within-the-magazine mocks post-WWI American government corruption. The scenario depicts a cynical director and supervisor who, unable to pass reform bills ("Old Glory cannot be dragged in the mire"), decide to poison the entire U.S. population via doctored liquor distributed to government officials and citizens. The "Government Chemist" proudly delivers the poison, and all three toast "the Vanishing American"—a dark joke referencing the earlier loss of "moral leadership" at the Versailles peace talks. The satire attacks government hypocrisy: officials prioritize covering up scandals over actual reform, ultimately endorsing mass murder as preferable to honest governance. **Advertisement:** The page also contains a Glostora hair product ad promising to make hair "rich-looking and orderly"—typical 1920s marketing linking grooming to respectability and success. The juxtaposition of cynical political satire with mundane consumer advertising reflects Life magazine's typical format blending serious social critique with commercial culture.
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Uncle Borgia (Continued from page 24) job as a—er—partly clothed dancer unless she is endorsed by her district leader. Director: I tell you it’s impos- sible. The bills must be beaten at all costs. Old Glory cannot be dragged in the mire by a bunch of half-baked reformers. (The orchestra plays “Dizie” softly.) Dinector: done. Svvervison: But what? Secretary (entering): The Gov- ernment Chemist to see you. Cuemist (bursting into the room eagerly): I've found it! At last— the perfect poison! One drop of it in a gallon of gin and the unlucky victim dies in slow, horrible torture. (Director and Supervisor shake him by the hand.) Director: Congratulations. America can now hold up her head among the nations of the world. The moral leadership we lost at Ver- sailles is ours once more. Surervisor: But those bills? The cover charge and the Civil Service? Director: Never mind that now. How soon can your poison be pro- Something must be t: The Government labora- tories are working night and day. Director: Fine. Next week let every Congressman, every Govern- ment official, every registered voter receive a bottle of Scotch whisky— appropriately doctored—in the mail. Issue orders to every Government- owned cabaret and speakeasy to stock up heavily. Announce in all the newspapers that, in honor of the sesquicentennial of whatever it hap- pens to be the sesquicentennial of, all drinks will be on the house—— Svrervisorn: Good heavens! Do you mean: ? Director (triumphantly): By the end of next week the population of the United States will be completely wiped out. Let us drink to the suc- cess of our plan. (Ile goes to the ice-water cooler and fills three paper cups. He hands a cup to each one.) Dinector (raising his cup): To the Vanishing American! Surervisor — Cuemist (raising their cups): To the Vanishing American! Curtain Newman Levy. Neighborhood Foresight “Wiry did you turn down their invi- tation to dinner?” “I'm hungry, and they are paying for an automobile, a radio and a new living- room rug on the installment plan.” —Cincinnati Enquirer, Keeps Your Hair Neat— ‘Rich-looking and Orderly [i your hair lacks natural gloss and lustre, or is difficult to keep in place it is very easy to give it that rich, glossy, refined and orderly appearance, so essen- tial to well. med men, Just rub a little Glostora through your hair once or twice a week,—or after shampooing, and your hair will then stay each day, just as you comb it. lostora softens the hair and makes it pliable. Then, even stubborn hair will stay in place of its own accord. It gives your hair that natural, rich, well-groomed effect, instead of leaving it stiff and artificial looking as waxy pastes and creams do. Glostora also keeps the scalp soft, and the hair healthy by restoring the natural oils from which the hair derives its health, life, gloss and lustre. Try it! See how easy it is to keep your hair combed any style you like, whether brushed lightly or combed down flat. If you want your hair to lie down par- ticularly smooth and tight, after apply ing Glostora, simply moisten your hair with water before brushing it. A large bottle of Glostora costs but a trifle at any drug store. o———————-—-—-——-—-—--—-—~ Send This Coupon and Try it FREE 1 > R. L. WATKINS COMPANY a a 1778 West 3rd Breet, ‘Cleveland, Ohio 77 —G—35 ' Please end me FREE, a sample of GLOSTORA, all charges | paid. Address 1 A generous sample FREE | yuen..watK upon request. t Tn Canada address F CO.,462 Wellington St, West, Toronto2-Cat, | N page 11 will be found details of the Great Alibi Contest which has been running weekly in Lire to the edification of many thousands of our readers. To those of you who have not participated Lire wishes to say that this amusing pastime is open to all; it is not necessary to be @ subscriber nor to have competed for any of the thirty cash prizes which have already been awarded. The instantaneous success of this Contest has served to confirm Lire’s belief that Alibi-hunting is a national institution. The opportunity to think up a perfect alibi for some one else, and to get paid for doing it—that’s what Lire is offering its readers! comicbooks.com