Life, 1927-02-24 · page 37 of 39
Life — February 24, 1927 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three unrelated humor pieces and a Palmolive shaving cream advertisement. **"A Simple Problem"** satirizes social anxiety among the aspirationally genteel. A dinner guest is flustered when a new acquaintance addresses him in French ("entre nous," "vis-à-vis," "au courant"), suggesting pretentious sophistication. The column humorously catalogs absurd responses—from punching her to feigning ignorance of English to deploying fake erudition. The satire targets both the pretentiousness of forced French phrases in polite society and the insecurity of those trying to fit into "proper" circles. **"Visibility"** jokes about a child's pride in wearing long pants for the first time, keeping his coat unbuttoned to display them constantly. It mocks youthful vanity and the social significance once placed on this coming-of-age milestone. **The cartoon caption** presents a gag about costume party suggestions, where a man cheekily recommends a woman disguise herself as a woman—implying women are inherently deceptive or mysterious. The **Palmolive advertisement** makes product claims typical of early 20th-century marketing, emphasizing scientific superiority and offering a trial coupon.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VaaekS © i’ we ' se28 Se A Simple Problem “Svrrose,” said the advertisement, “that you are invited to a formal dinner by some new friends. You are eager to ap- pear at ease, weli poised, at home in society. Could you make an intelligent answer if the dinner companion whom you had just met said: “ «‘Eatre nous. I have been looking for- ward to meeting you vis-a-vis for a long time, for I hear that you are always au courant with the latest books.’” This seems to me a very simple prob- lem in conduct. The young man so addressed could very well feint with his left to get her guard down and then swing a crashing right to the jaw. He could say “Buckwheats!” or any equiva- lent, or tell her the one about the elec- trician who exclaimed, “What! On my own time!” Or, of course, he could fold her in his arms and say, “Little girl, I didn’t know you cared.” Still another excellent device might be for him to answer, “No spicka de English.” Or there is the possibility of shifting the attack and capturing the offensive for yourself. You might get up and play the piano faultlessly, or ask, “Who was it said ‘Half a league, half a league, half a league onward’? and, after they had all racked their brains, give them your find- ings out of Elbert Hubbard's Scrap- book. My I would merely reply with a knowing leer, “Cherchez la femme,” and let it go at that. —Heywcood Broun, in New York World. Visibility Jvsion had been given his first pair of trousers, also an overcoat. Needless ay, he was very proud. The other r father took him out and noticed that he insisted on keeping his overcoat opened. “Keep your coat buttoned, son, like daddy.” “But, daddy,” he replied, “everybody you've got on pants!” —Charleston News and Courier. She: WAT DISGUISE STALL 1 WEAR FoR THE FANCY DRESS BALL? CAN'T You GIVE ME AN IDEA? He: wiv Not Go As A WoMAN? —Le Journal (Paris). Accept 10 Days’ Proof Let us prove that the claims millions of men make for this unique shaving cream are justified GENTLEMEN: Palmolive Soap, the world’s leading Pullman car arguments never have toilet soap, is embodied in this yet proved a point. creation. That's why we make no claims for 5 new factors Palmolive shaving Cream other than 1. Multiplies itself in lather 250 times. the fact that millions of men, once 2. Softens the beard in one minute. wedded t0, rival Preparations, have Maintains its creamy fullness for sat 1s new creation. 10 minutes on the face. Hence—that it is worth a trial. So : we send roday tubes for that pure * eee hold the hairs erect pose, Wil you accept one as acoure ¢ Fine aftereffects due to palm and y ” . olive oil content. 60 years of soap study stand behind d Palmolive Shaving Cream.- 130 for- Just send coupon i Your present method may suit you well. mulas were developed and discarded But still’ there my be a ketter coe, This before we found e right one. All ges, may mean much to you in comfort. Send our experience as the makers of — the coupon before you forget. THE PALMOLIVE COMPANY (Del. Corp.), CHICAGO, ILL. = } ww | 10 SHAVES FREE and a can of Palmolive After Shaving Talc Simply insert your name and addres and mail to Dept. B-1375, The Palmolive Company (Del. Corp), 370 Iron Street, Chicago, Ill. | Residents of Wisconsin should address The Palmolive | Company (Wis, Corp.), Milwaukee, Wis. (Please print your name and address) comicbooks.com