Life, 1928-08-23 · page 3 of 36
Life — August 23, 1928 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines literary satire with automotive advertising. The left column reviews "The Virgin Queene," a play by Harford Powell Jr. about Barnham Dunn, a trumpeter who purchases an English manor. The review humorously describes the play's theatrical journey—Dunn initially refused to stage or print it, then scholars debated its merit, eventually embracing it as Shakespeare-quality work. The right side features a Houdaille shock absorber advertisement using the play's theme of "blanket tossing"—the ad jokes that no car should subject you to such indignities without proper suspension control. The advertisement emphasizes that major automobile manufacturers standardly equipped their vehicles with Houdaille absorbers, positioning the product as essential for ride comfort and safety.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
RHYMED REVIEWS The Virgin Queene By Harford Powel, Jr. Little, Brown & Co, 1 peerless adman, Barnham Dunn, bth geath of trumpet, drum and ban- ner; est of peace and quiet fun an oughta fine old English manor. Its ancient walls had once been known To Queen Elizabeth and Shakespeare When deer were chased and hawks were flown And knights in armor couched and brake spear. On Shakespeare's Chair at haunted Keene, With mystic aid from Will and Lizzie, He wrote a play, “The Virgin Queene,” That left him breathless, awed and dizzy. Yet after Dunn had typed this play He would not have it staged or printed. “You think you won't,” said Major Gray; “T'll force your hand!” he more than hinted. On parchments old with crafty pen The play was copied, then ’twas planted; Some experts dug it up again, And how the scholars raved and ranted! “A masterwork in Shakespeare’s hand!” The critics cried with one volition. Though Barnham tried, to beat the band, He couldn't stop the imposition. The Barrymores have played the thing, The lowbrows cheer, the highbrows quote it; Its sales have made the welkin ring, And Dunn can’t tell the world, “I wrote it!” Which serves the fellow right; for still He scribbles rot and lives in clover While Queen Elizabeth and Will Are chuckling, “Well, we put that over!” Arthur Guiterman, PERMANENT First Mover: What's the matter with Jean? Rheumatism? Stcoxn Monet: No, she’s been posing for the fellow who designs figures for tadiator caps. Aw aged blackface minstrel claims to be the originator of the “That was no lady; that was my wife” joke. We didn’t know they had blackface minstrels until about a century ago. *This Coupon will bring you No car vill when you control the sptings with Houdaille Hydraulic Double- Acting Shock Absorbers. The engineers of Lincoln, Ford, Pierce-Arrow, Jordan, Nash’ Advanced Six, Stearns-Knight, Cunningham, made Houdailles standard equipment. Their decision was based on performance. Double-Acting, Houdailles control spring action in both directions, up and down. Their steel arm makes them absorb those original axle smashing bumps as well as check recoil. a # 4 Houdailles are made in three sizes for light, medium and ‘heavy cars, and are adjustable to your individual car. Take this as your personal invitation to drive around to Houdaille Headquarters and a set on your own car for thirty days, You’ surprised !* . HOUDAILLE , \ ERs, HOUDE ENGINEERING CORP., Dept. L-8 337 E. Deiavan Ave., Buffalo, New York M ble story, tell me where I can get a set for my -.. Dida w about Shock Absorb- ers,” written by a world- famous author. No car should hand you the indignities of blanket tossing! Please mail me the Article, “What I Didn't Know about Shock Absorbers,” ang LIE; Published Weekly by Life , 598 Madison Ave.. New York, N. Y. Subscription, $5.00. Vol. 92, N. Now Yak Pot Otic, usdar oct ct hdareh S70, Prisied bs Uc alo a Santer gt be Poss Oe Depts Cason Ooxaticnt comicbooks.com