Life, 1927-10-06 · page 26 of 40
Life — October 6, 1927 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page showcases Life magazine's "Alibi Contest," a humor competition where readers submit creative excuses for everyday situations. The central cartoon (Alibi #43) depicts a salesman defending an inflated $500 expense account to his treasurer—a common workplace scenario of the era. The contest asks readers to imagine themselves as this salesman and create a plausible excuse in 25 words or less. Winning entries are published; the page shows previous winners' alibis, which are puns playing on double meanings (e.g., "prefer putting on the green to putting on fat" = golf vs. weight gain). The humor reflects early 20th-century office culture where expense fraud and elaborate excuses were considered amusing rather than serious—a satirical jab at American business dishonesty. The contest format itself was entertainment, targeting both office workers and golfers with relatable predicaments about blunders, overspending, and the creative justifications required to escape accountability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
— PRIZE WINNERS ALIBI NUMBER THIRTY-EIGHT She; you TOLD Me LAsT SATURDAY THAT YOU'D GIVEN UP GOLP IN DIs- GUST AND THROWN AWAY Your CLURS. WHY ARE YoU now? CLEANING THEM Ur He: weit, you sre, 11's TIS WAY -The pro at the club tells me not to get discouraged, for certain stances alter cases. This Alibi, which wins the first prize of $50.00, was submitted by C. H. Witraann, Haddonfield, Vive second prizes of $10.00 each have been awarded to the follow- ing contestants: J. Franets, San José, Cal Alibi: “The club been changed from ‘No Green’ to ‘No Harny ifornia, for the rules have Swearing on the Swearing Off the Green.” Atva California, for the Francis Gates, Alibi ing from bad to worse—from bunk to bunker.” Gurpys Hontaxn, Seaforth, On- tario, Canada, for the Alibi: “With that hazard past, [am now making Joux Pier Orange, Ne Munn, Jn, East Jersey, for the Alibi: “The doctor insists that T have my iron each day.” Mrs. R. R. Scorr, Memphis, Ten- nessce, for the Alibi: “I prefer put- ting on the green to putting on fat.” Life ALIBI CONTEST Conditions of the Contest on page 30 $100.00 Weekly in Prizes N every somebody American home to-day figuring out an Alibi. In every American office to-da one has blundered and is tr. frame up an adequ shortcomings. world-wide. And not only is Alibi-making a great need among men and women, but it can be also a popular sport, as Lire’s contest has proved. some ng to te excuse for his Alibis are universal, Consider this week the situation in the typical American business. office that our artist has depicted below. Can you put yourself in the place of the unfortunate salesman in the pic- ture? His expense account is too big, much too big, and the tr is calling him to account for it. urer How did it happen? Can you imagine yourself in such a fix? ‘What would you s: He needs help and needs it badly. If you can aid him to complete an ingenious Alibi, and can do it in twenty-five words or less, you will be eligible to win one of the six cash prizes, which are as follows: First Prize, $50.00 Five Second Prizes of $10.00 each ALIBI NUMBER FORTY-FOUR will be published in Lire next week, with a new set of prizes offered. Read the conditions on page 30 carefully—and go to it! a ALIBI NUMBER FORTY-THREE EXPENSE ACCOUNT For Treasurer: WUAT'S THE IDEN OP A FIVE-HUNDRED-DOL A TWO-DAY Salesman: Weir, vou see, ev’s THIS Way TRIP TO HoMEBURG? comicbooks.com