Life, 1928-08-30 · page 33 of 36
Life — August 30, 1928 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This single-panel cartoon illustrates a classic social awkwardness scenario from the early 20th century. It depicts a young man in formal attire (tuxedo) confronted by a girl's father asking about his intentions toward the man's daughter. The young man appears flustered and anxious—shown by his exaggerated facial expression and body language. The accompanying text offers satirical advice: to handle this mortifying situation, the man should "be nonchalant" and light a Murad cigarette (a brand being advertised). The humor stems from the absurdity of the solution—suggesting that smoking a cigarette somehow provides social composure and dignity when caught without romantic intentions. This reflects period courtship customs where fathers formally questioned suitors about marriage prospects. The cartoon satirizes both male anxiety about these confrontations and the era's faith in cigarettes as a marker of sophistication and calm.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Wiess, Houston, Tex. Mrs. [ar Duthe, ‘Berkeley, Ga Pile C, Crosby, Anacort eg rs. C. Gilbert, Washington fier, ‘of Harry W Ttunt, Port’ Chester, N.Y. Pag tiny liars oe8 EMBARRASSING MOMENTS Sabin, 258, Erapcioco.+« E. Schenck, Detroit Geer. Mepgel, Mi. Kisco. 01053 Digi and Dorcthea, Irwin, iat’ Rod When her cod, ily, "Moylan, ‘ ‘ . FH. Williams, Binghamton, N.' : Father asks your intentions (regarding FW, Cram, Bangor, Me... Santa Monica Canyon, C his daughter) and you haven’t any avis F- Gaston, Son : «+. be nonchalant... Light a Murad. hk. Bourn, ‘San. Mateo, Gi. ‘ose, Westport, Conn. V. Moore, Asheville, r y S, Redmond, New Memory of Baby Alma, Reisman. Mrs. Harry T. Warnick, Schenectad: Oregon: Pacific Portland, Ore Dorothy Deed Princeton Mary Tewin Host [SH OP. Loritard E BeeRS Reb Donnan, . Lansdowne, «Chamberlin, Syracuse. Tom, Dick and - M. * Mrs Alice A. Luffman, Miss Helen E. fiman and Miss Hazel L. Kinaly, New York Rowen, Orford, Bryan,’ New Haven Pulaski, Va." , Washington, D.C. Becker, Seneca’ Falls Brown, Los Angeles. Wade, Los Angeles. em ear ers ver ere Be ntil nal ion ola Y, Mrs. "Henry. D. Smith, Auburn, N. Fdwin F. Crane, Camden, N. J. Mrs. D." MeIntosh, Alexandr “Loving Memory of Tom”. . Bertie Doree, London W. Williams, ‘aul Gallico, Cos Cob, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thacher, Bi water Park, N. J. C. P. Kimba Charles “B. Barnes, Boste: Willis B. Wood, Cherry Vale, Kan. . C. Ainsley, Campbell, Cal! Harmaret Miller, “Bradford, Pas +. 2.0 Sarder, Weekapaug, R. 1: Harisca i Smith, Jee Charleston, We Mos L. E. Morey, Napies, NY Harrison, Herington, Kan, Me int Mrsv'S. R.’ Hemingway, Red- Mr, and Mrs ; . i Chester, No Yoevc.eee . Y h { retain Y h Rr, New ¥ : out regain out fi Arons, Washington, D.. Co+++ . by the Flexor Method of Physical Training. Helen, G. Sauith,, Sewickley, Pa . No xymnasium or physical apparatus neces- Fullagar, Port Was! ington, sary. Two dollars pays all. ributed by : THE GERSO'CO., P.O. Bex 263, Logansport li PRewene ‘leveland, Denver: : H. Wood R, C. (Augusta, Me.) Whitman, Danielson, “Putnam,” Conn 888 588888 ry Hazen F Seog” “Sabbath Day” “Point, ia | Mies.” GW." Wiley,” Seattle, Wisen Fell ee . rroll_ Draper, Dana Abbett . Govern, prance of Betsy C. Griswold Maer, Bennet Brewer, Xronicatr N J rs. Daniel J. Campau, Detroit... odie, ort, Co sie hae” s fa Memory, ‘of Miners S'ba Edw. S. 'y, Boston i ‘ - “BC. Paertony N. 100.00 | SK... Slows City, Ia 2 09 | Anonymous | (Brooklyn) Fr FB. HH. A Frend, New Briain, Conn. uart Peabod: New York. W, SSsuss. Renvsen & Journey by Sea, Train, Auto or Air in health and comfort. Moth- ersill’s promptly ends the faintness and naaoea ot Travel | Sickness, M Dr. John A. Cohalan, "Philadelphia or dia Martha and “Ann Lee’ Kremers, Le ton Heights. Marie Louise Wolfe, Newark, 'N. In Memory of Grace Osborne Fish: A Friend; Catasatiga ua, as Davies, Det Me Avstin | 1. Stan Matel F. Marsh, Ft. Eustis, Vs Mr. and ¥ Uppe ice vt We Courtney, t M. Lawrence, New York. C J. McCarthy, Flushing Miss Jessica Baylis, Huntington, L. I. Bu SB pewneum 3833 88 38383888 S8pn 8583 83388 S83ss33ss3s 2 SuSeu Ss 8 ‘= 3 3 W.‘L. Brown, ‘Pasadena In Memory of the Mother of Mr and, Mrs. C. E. Scoville, West- fiend, cap Pesserrerrretrrerrrriri ss PEP ecrsesae 8 comicbooks.com