Life, 1927-05-19 · page 10 of 42
Life — May 19, 1927 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Julius Caesar** and Roman politics through two pieces: **Top cartoon** ("Julius Caesar's Telephone Pad"): A chaotic sketch mocking Caesar's administrative challenges. It references historical locations (Gallia, Britannia) and shows crowds chanting "WE WANT CAESAR!"—satirizing both ancient Roman politics and contemporary political fervor. The messy, overlapping details suggest governmental chaos and competing demands. **Bottom illustration** ("Almost the Noblest Roman"): Shows Mussolini in a car with his wife, captioned as a scene from "A.D. 100." The dialogue mocks Mussolini's attempts at military grandeur while his wife complains about domestic matters (tickets, lakes, mountains). It's satirical commentary on Mussolini's authoritarian posturing versus mundane reality, comparing him to Caesar while undermining his pretensions to greatness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
n we WANT CAESAR: Soe we WAN 7 CAESAR! s Cae SAR! Sewn WE WANT tore ost fi ‘ v4. \ Julius Czsar’s Telephone Pad Almost the Noblest Roman CENE: Interior of the Mussolini Messouini: So I said to Victor family car. Signor Mussolini Emmanuel, I said, “King, I'm very driving; Signora Mussolini in rear. sorry to have to overrule you in such Flavia: Wuat’s THE IDEA OF THE TERRIBLE GROUCH? Fulvia: wio wouldn’t ne sone? JUST WHEN THE BIG ORGY SEASON IS ABOUT TO START, THEY APPOINT ME TO SERVE AS A VESTAL VIRGIN! WE WANT CAESAR: \ CALL FORUAy VX cy VEER sure | a trivial matter, very sorry indeed but Z Signora M.: Benito! Don’t look at me over your shoulder when you'r driving. You very nearly hit tht & spaghetti factory. And I don’t wast to have to speak about this again! F Mussouini: Yes, my dear. I have concluded to establish strong militsr garrisons along the shores of th Adriatic and Mediterranean— SicNona M.: Oh, that reminds me! Benito, I won’t go to the Italiss Lakes again this season. Nobodys going there any more. They're el going to the mountains. By the ¥2, I bought the tickets yesterday. Mussotisi: As you say, my dest I shall then concentrate a powerld fleet Stanora M.: Oh, T must get thoe water-wings. Before we go of further, Benito, turn around sa drive back to Pagliacci & Tro tore’s. I won't be a half a second. Mussouint: Yes, my dear. (He (Please turn to page 29) comicbooks.com