Life, 1928-01-19 · page 9 of 38
Life — January 19, 1928 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page satirizes American attitudes toward Cuba and Havana, particularly around alcohol and leisure. The main poem celebrates Havana as a destination for drinking rum and Bacardi rum specifically—appealing to Americans during what appears to be Prohibition era (references to "Lipton or Yuban" suggest smuggling alternatives). The cartoon "Sights of Cuba" depicts a chaotic Havana nightlife scene, with an American tourist surrounded by dancers, musicians, and servers. The illustration mocks both Cuban stereotypes (exuberant nightlife culture) and American tourists seeking vice and hedonism abroad. The lower sections include humor pieces like "Tricked Herself" and "Undeniably Correct," employing typical Life magazine comedic formats. The harbor cartoon appears to reference anti-saloon sentiment. Overall, the page reflects early-20th-century American leisure culture and Prohibition-era attitudes toward Cuba as an escape destination.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Ode to Havana Oo! I never have been in Havana, Where Corona-Coronas abound, Where the castanets clink, and the natives all drink Without fears of the law; and I fre- quently think I'd be happy to dwell in Havana, And to loaf ‘neath its languorous sky, For Havana's the home of Bacardi, my lad, And Bacardi is grand when you're dry. So here’s to Havana, And here’s to Bacardi— It falleth like manna On weakling and hardy. And who would stay here Drinking Lipton or Yuban While Cuba is near Filled with rum that is Cuban? So here’s to Havana, The Flower of Cuba! Let’s play a hosanna On trombone and tuba. Where life’s always bright As the Gras that is Mardi, And a man can get tight On the Rum of Bacardi! Newman Levy. Tricked Herself A CTRESS: ruined! = I'm at this news- I’m re ruined! Look paper, Frienp: Have they some scandal about you? Actress: Worse than that. I signed a testimonial stating that I always smoked Mildwhiff Cigarettes because they never bothered my throat; and I signed another testi- monial that I always use Lymphatic Lozenges to protect my throat after smoking; and here they are, both on the same page! published a Sights of Cuba The Visiting American Who Asked for a Soft Drink. Dedicating a Life HYLLIS: Sybyl has been talk- ing a great deal about her life- work here lately. What is it, any- how? Minpryp: She’s reading a book. Undeniably Correct IRST BYSTANDER: What is your opinion of these champion- ship hog-calling contests? Seconp Bystanper: I think they’re a lot of “Whoo-ce-c-e.” Havana Harsor—Ip tHe Anti-SALoon Leacue Hao Its Way comicbooks.com