Life, 1927-06-16 · page 29 of 34
Life — June 16, 1927 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **product advertisement** for Spalding's Kro-Flite golf ball, disguised as humorous narrative. The "story" features Tony Spinella, depicted through **Italian-immigrant dialect humor** (common in 1920s American media). Tony recounts how groundskeeper Meesta Munn challenged him to cut a Kro-Flite ball—claims it's impossible. Tony attempts various destructive methods (blade, mower) and fails. He then accidentally hits the ball 300 yards onto the green and into the cup, "proving" its superiority. The satire targets **competitor golf balls**: the narrative demonstrates the Kro-Flite's durability (can't be cut) and distance (outdrives others). The exaggerated ethnic caricature and comedic setup make the sales pitch entertaining rather than direct. The guarantee promises replacement if the ball becomes unplayable within 72 holes—standard marketing reassurance. **Context**: This reflects 1920s advertising's comfort with broad ethnic stereotyping for comedic effect, now considered offensive.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MEESTA MUNN, HE SAY TO ME.. deesa Kro-Jlite ball” T'S deesa way. I, Tony Spinella, cutta da gtass on da golfa club. One day, Meesta Munn, he show me da new golfa ball he call a Kro-Flite. “Tony”, he say, ‘‘you no can cutta deesa ball’*. “Meesta Munn", I say, “I no want to cutta you’ golfa ball’’. “Tony”, he say, “you no can cutta deesa ball even eef you do want to. What'sa mor’, you can’ta drive no other | golfa ball no farther, mebbe not so far"’. So Meesta Munn he sock da golfa ball way ovra in da longa grass. He loosa da ball. He loosa da temp’. I, Say Spinella, eronga da arm, ; beega da mus’, drive da lawnmow, heet da ball wid da sharpa blade. Da blade she uaranteed for 72 holes. br'ak, cause da ball she no can cut. We absolutely guarantee replacement of any I loosa da ree I gatta crazy mad. I Kro-Flite Ball which is cut through or becomes grabba da ball. I roosh to da secon’ tee unplayable from any cause in 72 holes of play. where Meesta Munn ees. I yell, ‘‘dare’sa you ball’. I t’row eet on da groun’. I crazy mad. I grabba da club from Meesta Munn. I heet da ball wid beega da mus’. One, two, t’ree hunner yards she go. She toll on da green. She roll in da cup. I spre da casa ginger ale free. I tella you, leesa Kro-Flite she’s a greata golfa ball. yw SPALDING wishes to state that Tony is right. For the first time in golf ball history, here ts a ball which A. G. Spatoino & Bros. combines maximum durability with extreme dis- 105 Nassau Street tance, The Kro-Flite Ball cannot be cut—not even New York City by the terrific guillotine, which has laid wide oj every other ball ever tested in it. Nor can the Kro- FREE Please send me Flite be outdriven by any other make of ball— your booklet "Points about forciga or domestic. The driving machine has proved Golf Balls most golfers do that. Try the Kro-Flite, dimple or mesh. At your not know. Professional's, or sports dealer's. comicbooks.com