Life, 1927-05-26 · page 7 of 39
Life — May 26, 1927 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes 1920s social pretension and dating culture. The top cartoon mocks a young man's boasting about his distinguished ancestry—specifically claiming his grandfather was "one of the original ushers in the Paramount theatre," a joke equating minor theater employment with genuine aristocracy. The main section, "Conversation in 1975," depicts a flirtation between Mr. Willett and Miss Mason at what appears to be a beach resort. The humor centers on Willett's transparent business pitch disguised as romance—he offers to take Miss Mason on an airplane ride while actually promoting an acrostie (a word puzzle). The satire targets male duplicity in courtship and commercial hustle masked as leisure-class sociability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ISHED ANCESTRY.” USHERS IN THE Para- “THEY TELL ME HE COMES OF A VERY DISTIN “YES—INS GRANDFATHER WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MOUNT THEATRE.” Conversation in 1975 “ME: WILLETT, I'd like you to tion in seven letters situated in an YE incet. Miss Mason.” Eastern State beginning with M?" “How do you do, Mason.” “Yes. You're at a women’s col- “How do you do, Mr, Willett. lege founded by a wealthy brewer I'm so glad to mect you; I’ve heard of Poughkeepsie, are you not?” so much about you! Tell me, are “That's right. Shall we—as they you from a large educational institu- used to say on the stage in the Tur- “PVE HAD A TERRIBLE WARNING OF APPROACHING DEATH.” “No, REALLY?” “YES, 1 BOUGHT ONE OF THOSE LIFETIME FOUNTAIN PENS, AND IT’S BROKEN.” what are you i bond business ? »-0. I'll act it out for you.” (IIe changes his costume and ap- pears in an old shabby suit, turning his empty pockets — inside “That's the first syllabl “What is it? Broke “Good! Now, my second syl- lable” “I know. You're a broker.” “You're wonderful, Miss Mason!” “Oh! Do you really think so?” “T'd like to tell you what I really think.” “Well—not here, please!” “Miss Mason, m take you home in my acroplane “What kind is it?” “T can tell out.) ou in a little acrostic: ‘My first isa kind of penny whistle; my second’s a toothbrush any bristle; my whole is a “Just wait till I get my stock and coat, will you, Mr. Willett? Norman R. Jaffray. IFE in Amer after another, the United States of Just one banned thing comicbooks.com