Life, 1928-03-08 · page 30 of 43
Life — March 8, 1928 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical humor typical of 1920s Life magazine, targeting contemporary social anxieties and behaviors. **"First Steps in Practical Anatomy"** is a comedic glossary redefining body parts through modern social lens—"legs" are "those white things you see in the subway" (referencing women's exposed legs, scandalous by pre-1920s standards), "hip" refers to "the temporary resting-place of a modern beverage" (alluding to Prohibition-era drinking), and "nerve" is required for "a successful débutante." **"The New Sandwich Man"** cartoon mocks job interviews, with the caption suggesting the applicant lacks proper demeanor for employment. **"How to Get a Sunday Night Supper"** satirizes bachelor social mooching—a single man repeatedly invites himself to dinner through transparent hints and flattery, ultimately triggering an invitation. The humor targets both the bachelor's shameless manipulation and the host's social weakness in resisting. The page reflects 1920s preoccupations: Prohibition, changing gender norms (visible legs), and bachelor life among unmarried men—common anxieties in post-WWI urban society.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
28 First Steps in Practical Anatomy ECK—A demonstration of faint interest; a time-killer. Thigh—As far north as a stocking goes. Knee—An_ open-air joint; most attractive part of a bee. Ankle—A_ method of covering ground; example—‘Well, let's ankle along to the next dump.” Elbow—-Something to be bent in 2 speakea: Wrist—The seat of a localized pain induced by boredom. Ear—The last stronghold of mod- esty, whatever that is. Hip—The _ temporary place of a modern be eC. Nerve—The primary requisite of a successful débutante. Brain—A collection of cells which occasionally react to standardized stimuli. Legs—Those white things you see in the subway. S.P. the resting- Easy to Listen To GIRL (in South): I love the way the boys talk down here. Girt : Yes, it must be that Mason-Dixon line you hear so much about. Gute: Look out for that crevasse! It’s a thou- sand feet deep. I lost two good customers here last week. Tue New Sanowich Man “On second thought, I really don’t think you are the type for this position.” How to Get a Sunday Night Supper “UVJELL, sir, that’s one trouble with being a bachelor: no nice big family like yours to eat Sunday night supper with....Why, that’s corking of you, Mr. McBale. I don’t know but what I will.” “There goes your dinner gong, Mr. Blithe. That reminds me, this is Julia’s night out. Oh, well, I guess I can get a bite at the club....Cold scraps! By George, that sounds awfully good, old man.. .. Now, you're sure I'm not intruding? “Oh! You're just going in to supper, aren’t you, Mrs. Tobe? I'll just wait here till you're through, if you don’t mind....W no, I haven't «...Why, yes, I would—if u're sure I'm not butting in. “Um-um! Something smells awfully good in that other room. Smells like mush- rooms sizzling in a chafing dish. Certainly makes a fel- low hungry, doesn’t it?” “Yes, yes, I understand, old man... .Sure; not a speck of room at the table....Of course, just a few leftovers from dinner. ...Why not just give me a plate and a fork and let me pick at that cold duck? I can sit over there on the side.” “Good Lord! I didn’t re- alize the time. Edna will be through supper by this time....Is there a good restaurant in the neighborhood, old top?....Oh! That's so nice of you to want me.” “Now, suppose I go over and pick up some sandwiches at the delica- tessen. Then we can spread them out here on the table and go to it, hey? +.-Chicken salad in the icebox! Oh! Come on, let’s raid it, shall m getting sort of hungry, aren't you, my boy? If you've got some cheese and mustard and cream and a chafing dish and some becr, I'll make you the most delicious rarebit you ever tasted!...Oh! I'll help you wash the dishes, old man.” “By George! Wait till I call up Jean. I want you both to come over to my house for supper. Just a minute, I'll see if she’s in... .Not a soul home....You couldn't get together a few odds and ends, could you, Fred? Next Sunday night I want you both over for sure Jack Cluett. | The regular Silent Drama is omitted this week, owing to the illness of Mr. Sherwood. On page 38, however, will be found a list of pictures previously reviewed in LIFE, and recommended to our readers. | =| comicbooks.com