Life, 1927-08-11 · page 5 of 36
Life — August 11, 1927 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks international sports diplomacy. Two men discuss whether to invite French players to compete, debating whether the French are "good sports" and can handle losing to Americans. The dialogue reveals contemporary American attitudes: pride in athletic superiority, skepticism about French sportsmanship, and the notion that sports should promote "international understanding." The humor targets American condescension toward France and the naive assumption that athletic competition builds goodwill between nations. References to "Bobby Jones" (likely the golfer) and mentions of polo, horseback riding, and the Olympic track team suggest this addresses early 20th-century elite amateur sports culture. The lower cartoon "Can You Bear It?" appears to be a separate joke about romantic misunderstandings.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THERE’s HOOM FOR ONE “INTERNATIONAL Sport,” said . “is a great thing to promote understanding between nations.” Indeed it is,” said I thing.” ‘Look at golf,” said he “Bobby pnes is our ambas- generally — wins, 1 wonderful ambas- sador,” said I. You bet he is,” said he. “And the Olympic track team—they're wonderful ambassadors, too.’ “They said I. “And they win.” And polo,” said he. t fine horseback there.” And they win,’ ou said it,” said he. “But how about tennis I. “I hear the the best pl are,” “We've t some diplomats French have got ers in the world at un't lick our bogs. Frenchman ever could.” ” said 1. * said he. “Well, they must have been lucky.” “Well, No MORE THERE, A Couple of Good Sports “Maybe,” said T. “But they're yood players, these French.” Is that said he “Well, maybe they won't look so good when they play over here.” JOR—SUALL Can You Bear It? WHY DON'T you ou, we REFORM ME Alice: Virginia: ACCEPT DICK ? WANTS TO MARRY ME We mut of them, ross FoR iT?” “Maybe they won't,” said I. lick the stuffings “The dirty Our boys will foreigners “T hope so,” said I. “We don't want no foreigners winning our “No, “Be- promote sir!” said he international under- standing.” F.P. Dunne, Jr. Heresy! I EADLINE WRITER Give title list Revorter: Why not call bin Dempsey? me a snappy for Dempsey name on the Heapuine get I've been on this paper we've never used the real name celebrity in a headline Writer In the And fired ? five years of a what is Willie, BACHER an embassy? Winuie: A transatlantic fivers change their clothes. comicbooks.com