Life, 1929-02-15 · page 9 of 44
Life — February 15, 1929 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several humor sections typical of early 20th-century Life magazine: **Top cartoon** ("Abelstein Diamond Kaffir Hour"): Satirizes theatrical costume changes and vaudeville entertainment trends, though the specific reference is unclear without additional context. **Middle jokes** poke fun at: - Car installment payments (financial strain of new consumer goods) - A doctor's summer home naming convention - Husbands' occupations and hobbies - Social pretensions at masquerade balls **Bottom illustration** ("Creature of the Primordial Ooze"): A prehistoric-looking figure emerges from water while observers watch. The caption's punchline references evolutionary biology—the figure knew someone "when he was an amoeba"—satirizing popular interest in Darwin and evolution theory during this era. The humor relies on contemporary social anxieties about modernity, consumerism, and scientific ideas.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Hey, ya dummy! That's NEXT hour's costume! This is the Abelstein Diamond Kafir Hour!” THIS INSTALLMENT STUFF Saitu: Are you getting a new car this year? Jones: Yes. That is, as soon as I’ve paid for the one that I had before the one I've got now. Suggested Name for a Doctor's Sum- mer Home: “Bedside Manor.” BIG INDUSTRY First Lapy: What does your husband do with his old razor blades? : Hemortst’s Wire: Oh, he writes jokes about them. . Ms. Jones: I saw your husband at the masquerade ball chasing after a hula-hula dancer in a grass skirt. Mrs. Brown: Why, the old rake! Teactter: Tell me, what does “Par.” stand for? Wiue: Plenty, at our house. Where there is smoke there is a testi- monial, NECESSITY “Blank’s a mighty good listener.” “He ought to be—he’s got a radio and FOR CRYING OUT LEWD! Most of our modern plays must be sin to be appreciated. A BIG SUCCESS “Hello, Jones.” “Hello, Green.” “Your boy still working at the plant?” “Yep, when I can get him to show up there. Your boy still in New York?” “Sure. Haven't you heard? He's making a big success.” “Big success, huh? Well, that’s fine. I'm glad to hear one boy out of college is making a go of it.” “Yes, sir, my boy’s making a go of it, alright!” “Doing splendidly, huh?” “That's it. Doing splendidly. Getting along fine.” “Well, I'm mighty glad to hear it. What's he doing?” “Spending the allowance I send him.” Carroll Carroll. Diogenes in his search for an hon- est man had nothing on the Scotchman who is looking for the woman who pays. Maw: The lady can’t see you; she’s in her bath. Acent: Oh, that’s all right; I'm selling soap. Hotp-up Man: Give me your money. Druc Crerx: On white or rye? CREATURE OP THE PrimorDIAL Ooze: P-s-s-t—I knew him when he was an amoeba! comicbooks.com