Life, 1927-03-31 · page 5 of 35
Life — March 31, 1927 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes the chaotic American consumer experience, likely from the 1920s-30s based on the style. The crowded street scene depicts people frantically purchasing newspapers and magazines at a news vendor's stand, with the caption "WHAT'S ALL THE EXCITEMENT?" / "AN ARTIST IS BUYING AN ART MAGAZINE!" The humor lies in mocking the absurdity of treating an artist buying an art magazine as shocking news worthy of public excitement—suggesting either that artists rarely buy such publications, or that the general public finds intellectual/cultural pursuits so unusual they treat them as novelties. The satirical point critiques both mass media sensationalism and American philistinism toward the arts.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Liffe Yes, Papa, but There Must Be Something Inside That Drum to Make All That Noise Scene: A Club ILL: Have you been reading about the war in China? Matr: Yeah, but I can't make head or tail of it. Bit: It’s really very simple. You see, the Northern army is sometimes designated as the “Conservatives” and the Southern army is often re- ferred to as the “Reds.” It has been rported that there are Russians serving in the first-mentioned army and also with the Canton army. Now Li Poa-chang, in order to prevent an attack on Shanghai by water, has dosed the Woosung entrance of the Whangpoo River, which is the ap- proach from the Yangtze delta, while Marshal Sun Chuan-fang and Gen- eal Chang Tsung-chang have re- turned to the battle front, where they are to unite with Shantungese to com- bat Bolshevism. Is that clear? Bu: Oh, yes, it sure is, but what are they fighting about? Marr: Why—ah—you see. . . well, they are having some kind of a revo- lution, I guess. But: | shouldn't wonder; do you sappose Babe Ruth will be as big a drawing card this year? Spencer A. Spencer. A Post-Mortem Dorys: What an awful sap George is! I really think that fellow is men- tally dead. Etnyt: Really! I didn’t even know he was thick. Don’t Ask Me Another! Inquisitive Clara, the Questionnaire Fiend: WHAT HAVE ETHRL BARRYMORE, TUCKER? JANE COWL, THE FOLLOWING IN COMMON: (Answer on page 30.) At the News-Stand “WHAT'S ALL THE EXCITEMENT?” “AN ARTIST I8 BUYING AN ART MAGAZINE!” The Patience of Job “TF youd stop beating your breast and start beating these rugs I'd appreciate it! If you want to sit in ashes you'll have to go into the kitch- en! You can’t do it here! Moan and groan! That's all you do! If you'd get out and do a few days’ work maybe I'd get some new clothes once in a while!” “* *# “Mr. Job, your boils are caused by a diet lacking in Vitamine A. Avoid starchy foods, pastry, and fats and cut out the sweet stuff. Come back in a few days and let me know how you're getting on.” No. 1 SOPHIE “I'm very sorry, Mr. Job, but you'll have to pay for the last sack- cloth before we can let you have any more.” ** * “T'm a representative of Yesman’s Yeast Company, Mr. Job. We want permission to use your testimonial in our magazine advertisements. Have you a good photograph taken about ten years ago?” years Bi Paul S. Powers. Town and Country ITY BANKER (visiting the farm): I suppose that’s the hired man? ‘ Farmer (who has visited banks): No, that's the First Vice-President in Charge of Cows. comicbooks.com