Life, 1927-02-24 · page 33 of 39
Life — February 24, 1927 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising**, not political satire. The dominant feature is a Canadian National Railways advertisement promoting Alaska vacations for $90. The left column contains three brief satirical pieces typical of *Life* magazine's humor section: 1. **"Septic"**: A humorous health advisory (attributed to a New Jersey health officer) warning against kissing women wearing lipstick, treating it as a germ vector. This reflects 1920s anxieties about cosmetics and hygiene. 2. **"A Recipe"**: Satire mocking formulaic newspaper editorials about Central America/Nicaragua, stereotyping Latin Americans as lazy, volatile, and economically dependent on American companies like United Fruit. This reflects contemporary American imperialist attitudes. 3. **"Opportunity Knocks"**: A one-liner joke about a profanity-prevention society representative—the punchline being that the man wants to "buy" the car (implying the family uses profanity constantly). None of these pieces reference specific political figures or events. They're general social commentary typical of *Life*'s satirical content from this era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
eee Septic CHOOSE A CANADIAN NATIONAL VACATION THIS YEAR (.1 New Jersey health officer declares Who barter you death for wealth; To use for your daily diet. ‘The raisin jack that the "leggers pack, A carmine pencil’s a bum utensil Co lossa Glaciers, Flower- that lipsticked lips are germ gatherers.) . ‘ Tne re tings wy sm.yo0 mut do | Gail’ through sheltered scenic seas shun And when you're chilly, the flu bacilli Oo May cause you an early fall— But skip the sip from the lipsticked lip, For that is the worst of all! For the septic nip of the lipsticked lip Is a sign for the germs to frolic— It will give you the grip, it will give you the pi If you wish to retain your health; For the Cupid’s Bow will work you woe ° Trance you are aimed at by it— , Land orthern Lights, It will give you the painters’ colic. You have cut your hair, my lady fair, In a hygienic style; And I'd feel no harm in your circling arm, But I fear your toothsome smile. The dart that lies in your sparkling eyes May wound, but it will not kill— But the thought of a dip to your lip- sticked lip Will right away make me ill! —Ted Robinson, in Cleveland Plain Dealer. A Recipe Fon a safe and quickly written edi- torial on the Nicaraguan situation: First take one assumption that we are a large, blonde, good-humored, indulgent race, with a benevolent eye out on the Western hemisphere in general and for Central America in particular, Now, in a whim- sical vein, mix with this the idea that all Central Americans are short, swarthy, black-eyed and volatile-tempered folk who would prefer to sit in the sun and smoke if it were not for the manifold economic advantages offered them by the United Fruit Company. Stir this’ mix- ture well, add a few bright cracks to the effect that statesmen south of the Rio Grande wear no shoes and carry rifles, and serve hot with a playful admonition to Latin America in general that while Uncle Sammie is patient there is such a thing as going too far, The advantages of this editorial recipe are manifold; any one can understand it, it is safely non- controversial, and Republican, and above all, O brethren of the guild, it is so ab- surdly easy to write and is frequently “ritten in these smug, self-satisfied days. Try it on your linotype. —Emporia Gazette. Opportunity Knocks Strancer: I represent a society for the prevention of profanit: I want to take profanity entirely of your life and— Joxes: Hey, Mother! Here's a man who wants to buy our car! —Motor Life _It took Mr. Dreiser ten years to write his latest novel. He must have read it as he went along—Detroit News. R an absolutely different vacation come to Alaska. Visit this land of strange and fasci- nating beauty—of unrivalled scenic grandeur —of romance and of gold. Cruise through sheltered seas, sentinelled by ma- jestic mountains and glittering glaciers, past primitive Indian villages with towering totem poles. Wind through the Narrows and beautiful Lynn Canal. Visit en route, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau and Skagway. From Skagway go by rail to the Yukon—every mile of this historic trail has its story of romance and tragedy. Every minute of this glorious trip has its thnill. Fare only $90 including meals and berth from Van- couver to Skagway and return—a ten day trip on palatial Canadian National steamers—all outside Tooms. For detailed information on Canadian National Alaska Bhestd a inthe cospon and mail to our near- est office, or call for the booklet listed. [CANADIAN NATIONAL Dhe Largest Railway System in America OFFICES Portland, Ore, Roston Detecit SSS Washington St. 1269 Griswold St. 122 Third St. Buffato Duluth St. Louts 21 So, Dittston St. 430 W. Superior St. 408 Oltee St. Chicago Kansas City St. Paut 108 W. Adams St, 70dGrand Ave. 83 Eait FYth St. Cloctnn Los Angeles 432 Walnut St. 607 So.G.and A Cleveland eapolls, Seattle 925 Buciid Ave nd Ave. So. 1829 Fourth Ace, New York 605 FYI Ace. Philadelphia 1600 Chestnut St Pittsburgh $55 PULA Ace. San Francisco se, 689 Market St. NADIAN NATIONAL op- erates over 22,000 miles of track, a chain of hotels, fleets of coastal and ocean steamers and Nation-wide Express and Telegraph service —the largest railway system in America. decked Fords, Totem Poles, Romance, Mystery wee Please send me your free Alaska Bookie. Name... (if student, state grade) comicbooks.com