Life, 1927-08-04 · page 26 of 40
Life — August 4, 1927 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents *Life* magazine's "Alibi Contest," a humor feature where readers submit clever excuses for awkward social situations. The main cartoon (Alibi #34) depicts a young, newly-commissioned Second Lieutenant from West Point confronting Private Murphy, a hardened veteran of World War I's Battle of the Argonne, for failing to salute. The joke's context: the inexperienced officer demands a salute; the experienced soldier must provide an excuse. The satire mocks military hierarchy and generational tension—the green officer insists on protocol while the battle-scarred enlisted man operates by different rules. The officer's indignation contrasts with Murphy's casual familiarity with actual warfare. Below are winning alibis from readers, mostly playing on shared references (barber shops, radio personalities, mistaken identity). The contest invited readers to submit their own excuses in under 25 words, offering $50 for the best entry. This was a popular audience-participation feature demonstrating *Life*'s satirical engagement with everyday social pretense and class dynamics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PRIZE WINNERS U yd ALIBI NUMBER TWENTY-NINE She: you toLp Me you'd Never EEN IN THIS PLACE BEFORE AND THAT GIRL CALLED YOU BY YOUR FIRST Name. Now, witvr’s your Excuse? He: SEE, t WELL, LISTEN, DEAR s vins way...She patron- izes the same barber shop that I do. ‘This prize of $50.00, was submitted by you Alibi, which wins the first Frank X. MeNancy, S81 High Street, Five second prizes of $10.00 each have been awarded to the following: A. LL. Banox, Brooklyn, Nev York, for the Mibiz “She probably heard me speak over. the ‘How to Be Healthy, my name, and recognized my voice radio on remembered when I said ‘spinach’.’ Miss Mary Cu amMBperrRLAYNE, Alibi: is not at all familiar to Petersburg, Virginia, for the “Her face me, but how can [help her being familiar to my face? Newt for the makes: B. Jonpan, New York City, Alibi you suspiciou “It's your ignorance Didn't you is the Hun garian word for mister or sir?” ever know that ‘George’ Groner ginia, for the Stone, Warrenton, Vir Mibi: “When at Childs’ we do as children do.” UL H. Wansxen, Topeka, Kansas, for the Alibi: “Ter looks familiar but [can't remember a let ter of her face.” ALIBI CONTEST Conditions of the Contest on page 32 $100.00 Weekly in Prizes peor our painful situation this week we have selected a scene in or about a regular Army post. It seems that a young second lovie, whose gold bars haven't had time to collect a healthy coat of tarnish, has passed Private Murphy, a veteran of the famous World War. Private Murphy has neglected to snap into a salute—and the West Pointer is justly indignant. What will Private Murphy say? That, dear r you enter the picture. ler, is just where You must come to the assistance of You must supply him with an Alibi, or excuse, whieh will be clever enough and ingenious officer's this poor soldier. enough — to wrath, Those assuage — the who submit the cleverest SOLDIER ALIBI NUMBER THIRTY-FOUR Second Lieutenant (just out of West Point): Look rte, WHY DIDN'T you saLuTE ME? DON’T YoU KNOW AN OFFICER WHEN YOU Private Murphy (a veteran of the Argonne): weir, sin, You SER, tr’s THIS WAY... Alibis ex pressed in no more than twenty-five words—will be stantial financial prizes are as follows: First Prize, $50.00 Five Second Prizes of $10.00 each Every week, Lire presents a brand new Alibi picture, and most ingenious rewarded in a sub: way. ‘The cash ind a new set of prizes. test at to have ce Any one can enter the Con- time; it is not necessary npeted before to be eligible for a prize. ALIBI NUMBER THIRTY-FIVE will be published in Lire next week. Read the and go to it! conditions carefully SEE ON comicbooks.com