Life, 1927-04-07 · page 21 of 59
Life — April 7, 1927 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page showcases Life magazine's weekly "Alibi Contest," where readers submit creative excuses for everyday predicaments. The humor relies on the gap between honest admission and clever rationalization. **Alibi #12** (Prize Winner): A radio salesman explains that a customer's newly-purchased radio set became "obsolete before you reached home"—satirizing both rapid technological change and flimsy sales excuses. **Alibi #17** (main cartoon): A conductor confronts a father who paid half-fare for his clearly full-sized son. The father must improvise an excuse on the spot. The cartoon depicts the absurd social pressure to justify obvious rule-breaking with creativity rather than honesty. The contest invited readers to submit witty alibis for common situations, with cash prizes rewarding ingenious dishonesty. This reflects 1920s-30s American humor celebrating quick-witted deflection and smooth-talking as social skills—gently mocking both human tendency to rationalize and the culture's tolerance for minor deceptions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PRIZE WINNERS ALIBI CONTEST Conditions of the Contest on page 42 $100.00 Weekly in Prizes ALIBI NUMBER TWELVE Customer: YOU TOLD ME THAT SET 1 BOUGHT WOULD BRING IN THE COAST. I CAN’D EVEN GET LOCAL STUFF. Radio Man: WELL, You sex, 11's tus way... The set you bought was as represented at the time, but progress in radio is so rapid your set became obsolete before you reached home. This Alibi, which wins the first prize of $50.00, was submitted by T. J. Ricusonp, Western Union Telegraph Co., Dallas, Texas. Five second prizes of $10.00 cach have been awarded to the following: Mrs. A. S. Browntno, Henderson- tille, North Carolina, for the Alibi: “The last person who owned that set was a lighthouse keeper and we took his word for what it would bring in.” Mason L. Ham, Rhode Island, for the Alib “That set isn't old enough to talk. Just wait till you've had it two or three years.” W. G. Ssuru, Santa Barbara, California, for the Alibi: “After you have owned this set long enough you will be as big a liar as you think I am. Providence, Mrs. Mary C. Werts, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, for the Alibi: “You've found so much fault with that set, it’s quite possible you've been running down the batteries.” L. C. Wise, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, for the Alibi: “Through this set we're hearing from all parts of the country. In fact, you're one of those we're hearing from.” 'HE best of us never know where or when we may be called upon to furnish an Alibi. Lire is offering its readers a weekly opportunity to practice up on this useful accomplishment; so that, when the occasion arises, they can display all the proficiency of a seasoned expert. Below, Mr. Garrett Price pictures the predicament of a father who tried —even as you and I—to get young Junior by on a half-fare ticket. The unfortunate parent must produce an Alibi. If you can assist him, in a sufficiently ingenious manner, one of the generous cash priz burs. Send in as many answers as you like, but please don’t use the same sheet of paper for more than one set of Alibis. You may enter the Contest now; it is not necessary to have submitted previous answers. First Prize, $50.00 Five Second Prizes of $10.00 each ALIBI NUMBER SEVENTEEN will be published in Lire next week, with a new set of prizes offered. Read the conditions carefully— and go to it! ROOM SH! | ALIBI NUMBER SEVENTEEN } Conductor: THAT BOY YOU PAID HALF-PARE FOR 18 IN THE WASH- How aBouT IT? Perplered Father: weit, you see, 17's THIS WAY... comicbooks.com