Life, 1927-06-16 · page 8 of 34
Life — June 16, 1927 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes Hollywood's contradictions circa 1927. The top cartoon shows a "1927 Box-Office Argument" where studio executives negotiate casting and scheduling with typical studio logic—moving performers around like chess pieces to maximize profit. The subsequent numbered sections mock film industry absurdities: Henrietta Plonck's mundane name contrasts with Hollywood's invented personas; Petro-Gradwyn's salary disputes reveal studio cost-cutting despite star status; directors' demands for physical violence in fight scenes; and casting debates about unknown actors. The bottom cartoon depicts chaos on a jungle picture set, with the director demanding mayhem while the studio hand (assistant) warns that a loose lion has escaped—illustrating the gap between cinematic fantasy and on-set reality. The satire mocks both studio pretension and chaotic filmmaking practices of the silent era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Scenario Writer (to subtitle man): Now TAKE THIS PART WHERE THE HERO'S FATHER 18 KILLED BY A TRAIN. CAN’T WE GET SOME FUNNY CRACK IN THERE? 1927 Box-Office Argument “ AW, listen, can’t you find a couple somewhere?” “Nothing left for Tuesday.” “How ‘bout Wednesday?” “Only got a couple of singles 'w: y back.” “Listen, brother, I’ve got to see this one. Everybody i it'll be the best yet and the wife’s set on going, “Well, maybe I can fix you up for two for Friday afternoon.” “Attaboy! Where are the “Section C, Row T, is the best I can do.” “Gosh! That's ’way back, isn’t it?” “Yeah, but you'll be right in front of the witness stand and she’s got a voice that carries all over the courtroom.” “All right, bailiff. I'll take ’em.” Chet Johnson. Fairy Tales of the Movies I ENRIETTA PLONCK had applied for and ob- tained a job as extra. ‘What name did you give "em at the office?” asked her chum, Vyvyen Vavaseur, “Henrietta Plonck,” was the reply. II “Petro-Gradwyn has offered me $10,000 a week and a five-year contract,” said the famous woman star. Her employer gestured his regret. “I’m sorry,” he said, “we admire your work and would like to keep you, but we can't afford more than your present $9,975 a week.” “Oh, I’m not going to leave,” answered the star. “TI like it better here. I just thought you might like to know,” III “In this fight scene,” said the director to the handsome male star, “you per- mit your oppon- ent, a professional pugilist, to batter your face to a pulp before you knock him out.” “Bring on your pug,” replied the handsome male star. “I’m game!” IV “Who do you think is the hand- somest, John Gil- bert or Ramén Novarro?” asked the Vassar fresh- man, “Who are they?” replied her roommate. Baron Ireland. Director of Jungle Picture: WHAT’s ALL THIS DISTURBANCE? Studio Hand: 11's pe L10N! HE DONE BROKE LOOSE! AN’ YOU BETTER GIT OUTEN HIS WAY, BOSS, “CAUSE DAT AIN’T NO YES LION! comicbooks.com