Life, 1927-05-26 · page 9 of 39
Life — May 26, 1927 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical story mocks contemporary 1920s-30s sensationalism and tabloid journalism. Gabriel, the archangel, uses his trumpet to end Earth—but finds the world already morally collapsed through human folly. The narrative ridicules: **Current events referenced:** - Tabloid newspapers (the *Tabloid* edition featuring a murder case) - Radio bringing "music to the people" - Movie industry (the "eighty-seven-story movie 'Cathedral'") - Trivial celebrity gossip and social parties **The satire's point:** Rather than divine judgment destroying civilization, human society has already degraded itself through superficial media, entertainment, and materialism. Gabriel's trumpet becomes redundant—the world needs no supernatural intervention to collapse. The accompanying cartoons mock marital discord and domestic absurdity, reinforcing the theme of human moral failure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Life Gabriel’s Trump HE moment had arrived. The Tick on the desk of Gabriel, chief trumpeter for the Solar System, Inc., was jingling the hour. Gabriel, ever alert, ever dynamic, ever earnest, rose quickly from his swivel chair and ap- proached the cabinet in the corner of his richly appointed offices in the Paradise Building. He was ready to announce the end of the world. From the cabinet Gabriel took a beauti- fully silver - plated trumpet...and a gilded derby. Turning, the prominent angel picked up his hat, rushed into his private elevator and was lifted one hundred and forty-five floors above everything. Ar- riving at this high place, so very near the sun and just beyond the moon, Gabriel hung the gilded derby over his trumpet and, with his chest held high, blew with all his might... Over all the earth reverberated the muffled notes from the trumpet of Gabricl. The sounds were familiar to the people—a new mechanique thapsody, of course, though hardly a new technic—but the people liked it— PORTRAIT OF A NUDE CONCLUDING THAT SHE LIKES BROCCOLI BETTER THAN ASPARAGUS. Mr. G. Ralph Pentoop rang for Miss Typster to inquire if she would like to join a little party that eve- ning.... Mrs. Ezra Cloverly smiled over the washing machine at the new hired man.... The thirty - second edition of the Tablood rushed to press with pictures of the wire used by Mrs. Snuder when she murdered her husband... Henry P. Smilie hesitated during his two-hour address be- fore the district meet- ing of Gywanians to say: “Men, I think it wonderful we have the radio bringing music to our people....” Mrs. Margory Kleenwell hurried to phone Billy to get nipples for the baby's bottle, oranges for the cocktails, and some new dance records... Gabriel removed the trumpet from his lips and gazed over the Earth. A certain commotion was evident. But that wasn’t sufficient; the world ought to be coming to an end! Re- moving the derby, he threw it over the moon, scowled, fitted the trumpet to his lips, and blew a mighty blast. And the people on the Earth “WHAT'S THAT STRING TIED AROUND YOUR FINGER For?” “PuUAT’S NOT A STRING. I’M TAKING re? MY WIFE’S DRESS TO THE CLEANER’S. noted it was five o’clock...all ex- cept “Vox Populi,” who was writing a letter to the Times calling atten- tion to the blasting being done for the newest eighty-seven-story movie “cathedral.” Gabriel took another look about. Slipping his trumpet under his arm, he returned to his offices, where he dictated the following interview for the press: “The campaign to destroy the Earth shows wonderful progress, but to make it fully effective I shall need more trumpeters....” Louis De Armand. . Mr.: WHAT IN MRAVEN’S NAME WAS THAT? Mrs.: 17 WAS ONLY JUNIOR, DRAR. Ng’s BEEN BREAKING UP ATOMS AGAIN, AITER: Di W; ever eat you snails, sir? Diner: No, you're quite safe. lai (a i ZI i ee, comicbooks.com