Life, 1928-10-05 · page 43 of 48
Life — October 5, 1928 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem by Lenfestey mocks rejected magazine contributors. The speaker expresses violent wishes toward various named people—Lloyd Mayer, L.T. Holton, "Tup," and others—wishing them bloody, explosive, or drowning deaths. The twist reveals the real complaint: these individuals are *published* contributors whose jokes appear in Life magazine, while the speaker's own submissions are consistently rejected. The satire targets the bitterness of unpublished writers. The absurdly disproportionate hatred (wishing death on people merely for being published) exaggerates how rejection stings creative professionals. Dorothy Parker, a known humorist, is specifically named—suggesting these are real contributors the rejected writer envies. The humor operates on two levels: the dark comedy of the violent fantasies themselves, and the pathetic self-awareness that the speaker's jealousy, not actual wrongdoing, motivates the rants.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WA EOPLE who think it's a misdemeanor to be caught in the Rockies after Labor Day miss one of the greatest delights of life: Col- orado’s balmy Fall! At The Broadmoor (right below Pikes Peak and a lot of other Rocky Mountains) recreation, luxury and weather made for you to enjoy are found throughout the year. Fall goes into December—and then comes Indian Summer! One of the world’s great golf courses; horses, motors, gteen- house; little theater, dancing, swimming, PLUS— Paris meals, Manhattan lux- ury, service that has all the metropolitan refinements. BROADMOOR COLORADO SPRINGS HOME OF THE FAMOU8 MANITOU SPARKLING WATERS. Reservations direct or at: The Ritz, New York; 23, Haymarket, London; 11 Rue de Castiglione, Paris. LIFE The Misanthrope A BLoopy ending is my prayer For that contributor, Lloyd Mayer. A fricassee in lead that’s molten Is quite too good for L. T. Holton. It’s my ambition to blow up With T N T the guy named Tup. For me a glad event would be The funeral of f. g. c. To see his body pierced with spikes Is my fond wish for old Bill Sykes. I hope some day a drunken sailor Will incapacitate Jim Taylor. It’s my impression hell’s not hot Enough for W. W. Scott. I'd like to drown with oyster broth The guy that signs himself Herb Roth. In Stygian cave, though somewhat darker, I'd like to chain up Dorothy Parker. The things I think aren't even nice Enough to print for Garrett Price. The reason why I hate these folks With such misanthropy unstinted Is that I have to read their jokes And never even have mine printed. Lenfestey. Campaicn Item: How little song called “Laugh, Laugh"? about a Farmer, after youreyesandsee how they improve Eyes, like teeth, need daily care if they are to be strong and attrac- tive. A few drops of Murine each night and morning will not only make your eyes clearer and bright- er, but will cause them to feel more vigorous. Try it! Wee FYES forecast Doers your smoking taste vary with the weather or just of its own sweet will? Can you be sure what the next puff will bring? You can, if you are one of the growing multitude of Squibb’s Dental Cream fans, For the frequent use of Squibb’s adds mellowness and flavor to even the finest smoke. Its bland antacid action lulls the mouth into a soothed fresh- ness and gives you protection against harsh taste and heavy breath. It contains over 50% of Squibb’s Milk of Magnesia. Start tonight to use Squibb’s Dental Cream—for your smok- ing’s sake; follow up in the morning with another thorough brushing, and if your taste is any sort of barometer it will register “fine smoking all day.” 40c at any druggist’s. Copyright 1928 by E. R. Squibb & Sons DANGER LINE comicbooks.com