Life, 1927-08-18 · page 24 of 36
Life — August 18, 1927 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page showcases *Life* magazine's "Alibi Contest"—a humor competition where readers submit witty excuses for absurd situations. The winning entry (Alibi #31) features a couple where the man must explain why an "rare diamond" engagement ring shattered when dropped: he claims he'd mistakenly left it at the garage for carbon removal instead of the jeweler. The joke relies on the absurdity of confusing a precious ring with a car part. The cartoon (Alibi #36) depicts a young man with his first mustache visiting a barber. The barber asks sarcastically, "Are you trying to raise a mustache?" The boy's response—presumably awkward and defensive—is what readers must complete in 25 words or fewer to win $50. The satire mocks the universal male experience: adolescent self-consciousness about facial hair and social awkwardness. The contest format itself was popular entertainment during this era, inviting reader participation and humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PRIZE WINNERS | ALIBL NUMBER THIRTY-ONE She: SAID TIS ENGAGEMENT RING WAS A RARE DIAMOND—BUT IT BROKE IN PIECES WHEN T DROPPED IT, SAY SOMETHING! He: weit, you srr, it’s Tits way...Last night I thoughtlessly left the car at the jeweler’s to be polished and took the ring to the garage to have the carbon re- moved, This Alibi. wins the first prize of $50.00, was submitted by Winn Meck. Ciyesax, Richmond, Virginia. you which Five second prizes of $10.00 each have been awarded to the following Genevieve Dyer, New York City, for the Alibi: “Its a Kohi noor, Tf you don't mil show you Mr. Cohen's personal five genuine believe it, year guarantee.” WW. J fornia, for the Francis, San Jose, Cali Alibi: “T thought I knew my onions, but they gypped me on the carats.” HW Pennsylvania, vou it water. 1 much.” FB. M. Suanen, Los Angeles, for the Mibiz “The | ind 7 thought I Winns Neat, Philadelphia. for the Alibi: “TI told 1 diamond of the was first guess it 1 drop too Cali fornia, jeweler trusted me could trust him,” T: E Minnesota, Srewann, Minneapolis, for the Mibi: “I didn't evactly say rare. T said it was one Life ALIBI CONTEST | Conditions of the Contest on page 29 $100.00 Weekly in Prizes sl a hangout which was THE barber formerly males, exclusively for is now so generally patronized by all ages and both sexes that the editors feel sure of the uni- versal appeal of the Alibi depicted herewith these feels at home in a barber's chair; every one, that is, except that most wretched and lowly of all God's ercatures—a youth with his first mustache. The Leonard Holton’s picture below has decided to let Nature have her way with his upper lip, and the brutal barber has commented on it in such that dignified silence The Every. one, days, poor lad whom you seein a way prrssitile is im vouth must say some thing. What he and how he says it—that’s up to you. Complete, less, his reply; see if you can’ make g to one of the cash prizes, which arc says in twenty-five words, or your answers good cnough win aS follows: $50.00 Five Second Prizes of $10.00 each ALIBI NUMBER THIRTY- SEVEN will be published in’ Lave next week, with a new set of prizes offered. Read the and go to it! First Prize, conditions carefully Barber: tryine Willie: WEEE nn ALIBI NUMBER THIRTY-SIX TO RAISE A MUSTACHE you sen, / ARE YOU, SONNY? t's THs WAY... comicbooks.com