Life, 1929-04-26 · page 14 of 36
Life — April 26, 1929 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the social anxiety of blind dates in what appears to be the early-to-mid 20th century. The main cartoon shows a car accident occurring during a blind date setup, with the caption playing on the phrase "that engine's kin hear me bawl ye out!" The article mocks the predictable frustrations: the reluctant man, the overhyped girl from Louisville who disappoints, the last-minute scramble to meet downtown, and the underlying awkwardness of arranged romantic meetings. The secondary sketches (left side) appear to illustrate rural or rustic characters—possibly contrasting sophistication with country life—fitting Life magazine's typical humor comparing urban and rural American experiences. The humor relies on readers' shared experience with failed romantic setups and social obligations of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
12 The Blind Date That well known tired feeling. The determination to spend a quiet evening at home. The collapse into an easy chair and the sigh of satisfaction. The vigorous pounding on the door. The entrance of Fred, aglow with enthu- siasm. The confused account of his girl being suddenly visited by a gor- geous creature from Louisville and the burning necessity for you to help Fred entertain them. The complete lack of enthusiasm on your part. His irre- sistible eloquence proving that the girl from Louisville is the one you've been waiting for all your life. His disser- tation on the charms of Southern, and especially, Kentucky women. His reluctance to admit that he’s never ac- tually seen this particular woman. His appeal to your sense of sportsmanship, spirit of adventure and sacred friend- 7 . ship. Your futile protests that you 2 : Wot I said wuz—shut off that engine ? he so’s ye kin hear me baw! ye out! have a hard day ten minutes to dress and get down to tomorrow and _ the Biltmore. The terrific suspense as must be at the of- Fred and you dash into the hotel an fice before nine. hour late. The realization that the The gradual break- girls haven't arrived yet. The forty-five ing of your resist- minute wait. The suspicious glances ance under the on- of the house detective. The complete slaught. The mo- disappearance of the last vestige of ment of weakness. carnival spirit within you. The ar- The consent. The rival of Fred’s girl alone. The cheer- announcement that ful question, “Am I late?” The gay you've got exactly announcement that there has been a slight mistake. The gorgeous creature from Louisville doesn’t arrive until next week! —Robert Lord. Then there was the dizzy young thing whose husband was going moose hunting. She said she thought that it would be a lot of fun and hoped he would bring home lots of it, pref- erably strawberry. Our neighbor is very considerate. He turns on the radio when he goes out for the evening so that in cas callers drop in they'll be entertained during his absence. Well, notwithstanding all you hear about Asiatic harem husbands being boss, you’ve got to admit, when you “Aw, you contemptible little purp! For two cents I'd come down think it over, that it’s the wives that and climb a smaller tree!” wear the pans. comicbooks.com