Life, 1927-12-15 · page 37 of 40
Life — December 15, 1927 — page 37: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Broadway theater culture** through Robert Lord's "Lunching on Broadway" column—a series of overheard conversations showcasing theatrical pretension and self-aggrandizement. The speakers (actors, producers, agents) boast about touring schedules, financial schemes, romantic conquests, and connections to famous composers like Gershwin. The humor lies in their transparent exaggeration and desperation masked as sophistication. References to "Belasco" (David Belasco, a famous producer) and name-dropping suggest status-climbing among theater people. The page also contains **period advertisements**: Bayer Aspirin (emphasizing the "Bayer Cross" trademark amid counterfeit concerns), Murad Cigarettes (positioned as luxury goods for the refined), and Life's Dog Calendar (a novelty gift). The cartoon depicts crowded Broadway pedestrians gathered around a giant cigarette box, visualizing the "embarrassing moments" ad copy—forgetting theater tickets at home, forcing awkward explanations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Lunching on Broadway “VE open cold in South Bend and then we jump to Elkhart for two days.” . Just tell him that Joe told you t all him and he'll deliver it right to your office.”... “No, Mr. Snorf, I never eat candy but I'm sure fond of pearls.” “If you'd put a hundred dollars in Ford stock ten years ago, you'd be a mil- | i lionaire to-day. And our proposi- ; € a Mili tion is even better.”..."So I'm re- ) HN] \| writing the last. act because Mr. \(\ Belasco wants to put it in rehearsal immediately.”...“"Take my word for ch a sneppa garment you n't buy from anybody else but “Well, baby, I panicked ‘em y laid in the aisles by the time I went into my dance.”...°I may run over to London. A chap over there has a play which he positively insists on my doing.”. ..“Under- stand, Mr. Snorf, I wouldn't take it for myself but my poor old grand- mother is an invalid.”...“Don't be aid of this stuff, Moe. I get it the steward of a French boat.” The lyric’s a pay-off and the tune makes a bum outta Gershwin.” .“Just sign here and you'll be a rich man by next year.”. ..“Business was terrible so they give me my notice and filled my spot with some EMBARRASSING MOMENTS lousy, cheap, five-hundred-dollar-a- } When you discov > left the theatre week ham. tickets at home... nonchalant... lighta Robert Lord. | MURAD CIGARETTE MURAD For those who feel entitled to life’s better things © 1927, P. Lorillard Co., Fat. 1700 Say ‘Bayer Aspirin” | LIFE’S INSIST! Unless you see the | DOG CALENDAR “Bayer Cross” on tablets you are not getting the genuine Bayer Aspirin proved safe by millions and prescribed by phy- sicians for 25 years. an annual institution, for which there is an enormous and ever inereasing demand. It is a delightful: and welcome Christmas gift for all those who love dogs (and those who don’t love > don't deserye to have presents You can ob LIFE’'S DOG ENDARL orde m LIE Accept only a Madlieg 21 oe bat —_— = price is ONE DOLLAR « Bayer package { ; paid. whichcontains proven directions f > Send your order in NOW. The supply Handy “Bayer” boxes of 12 tablets fF ia limited. Also bottles of 24 and 100—Druggists — Aspirin ts the trade mark of Barer Manu facture of Monoaceticacidester of Salicylicaci¢ comicbooks.com