Life, 1927-03-17 · page 7 of 43
Life — March 17, 1927 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three separate satirical pieces from Life magazine: 1. **"Room No. 13"** — A humorous short story about writing mystery fiction, featuring illustrations of chaotic domestic scenes (a woman screaming, someone wrestling with what appears to be a bull). The satire mocks the melodramatic tropes of mystery stories. 2. **"Development"** — A comedic telephone exchange between an operator and caller discussing chess moves and birthday wishes, poking fun at inefficient telephone service and awkward social interactions. 3. **"Insuperable"** — A brief joke about cigarette smoking and marriage compatibility. 4. **"Spring Comes to the Wardrobe"** and **"Auld Lang Syne"** — Short humorous pieces about seasonal changes and nostalgia. The page represents Life's typical format: mixing short fiction, jokes, and illustrations for comedic social commentary.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Room No. 13 (Showing How Easy It Is to Writea M ystery Story in the First Person) WOMAN'S scream, two shots, A an earthquake, the pop of a wine bottle, the crash of pins on a bowling alley; all in the next room, and then—silence. I sprang out of bed, found the floorcold, went to bed in, and then sprang out again, land- ing in my bedroom slip- pers. Hastily slipping on a few bedclothes, I went to the door of the next room and knocked. Instantly there came a roar, a few frightful groans, the sound of falling bodies and the impatient squawking of taxi horns. Thinking no more of the matter, I went back to bed, only to be awakened by shrieks of satanic laughter, the sound of a load of coal being dumped, and a woman's muffled wail. I listencd closely, hoping the noise would be repeated, but not a sound came from within except the strains of “The Rhapsody in Blue,” played by a thirty-piece orchestra. The room seemed to sway, and I had all [ could do, stuffing hotel towels into my bag. I waited for a few moments and then noticed a wisp of smoke curling up under the The fiends were de- all evidences of their crime! ard. which I hasti in the hallw; ripped from the wall , a drawn revolver and the latest copy of my favorite maga- zine, I went to the door next to mine and rapped. syne There was no answer. THE TOREADOR GETS HOLD OF AN IRISIE BULL. I turned the knob. It came off into my hand, I thrust open the door, It fell in, [entered the room. The floor sank beneath my feet, carrying me down into the basement, I looked about me. A_ beautiful girl was tending the furnace. When she saw me, she gave a cry and fainted into my arms. And that, children, is how I came to meet your mother. Edmund J, Kiefer. Insuperable “UZHY are you so sure you never could marry him?” Auld Lang Syne First’ Clubman: 1 saw “ABIe’S IRISH ROSE” LAST NIGHT. Second Roué: was it CHANGED ANY SINCE WE WERE Boys? Development ve: New York. Time: 1977. E, (fully five seconds after giv- ing number): Say, I'm waiting. Operator: I’m ringingum, mister. (Two seconds elapse.) He (banging receiver hook): Say, I can’t wait all day Operator: I'm ring- ingum, mister. (Three seconds operator, is ody at the change that would like to phone some chess moves while you’re— nator: I'm ring- ingum, mister. (Four seconds elapse.) e: Operator, con- ations on your ninety vy. To what do you attribute your long lif Orenator: Here's your par;tec, mister, Hello. ... Effingham? Gerald m. What? Oh...sorry. Jiggles hook.) Operator, 1 asked for Gerrard 2280, London—@ not 7. ‘Talk about service—my Gawd! Tupper Greenwald. Spring Comes to the Wardrobe aIRST MOTH: The moth that just flew off has sort of a breezy bout him. Seconp Motu: Yes; he's front the Middle Vest. comicbooks.com