Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, March 1921 · page 15 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #18 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical narrative mocking the predatory practices of early Hollywood. The story targets Prince Troubetskoy (a real Russian sculptor and socialite known for Hollywood parties), his wife, and unnamed film industry men who exploited aspiring actresses. The satire exposes a common scam: studio executives and producers using false promises of film roles to lure young women into private meetings. The French dancer character represents vulnerable immigrants seeking legitimate opportunity in cinema. The humor is darkly cynical—the text notes the Princess "enjoyed the society of young men" and wasn't "sweet" (likely implying she was drunk or difficult), establishing the Troubetskoy home as a den of vice where women were "passed along" to various men based on "opportunity." The opening suitor's pitch—"we must go out to talk it over"—signals the seduction trap being laid. *Whiz Bang* was satirizing real exploitation in 1920s Hollywood, where power imbalances made actresses vulnerable to sexual coercion under guise of career advancement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang 13 woman was on the point of leaving for New York, where she admitted that it would be necessary for her to wear scant clothing in front of assembled multitudes at the Winter Garden, but better she thought than performing same for the benefit of sundry individuals who pass the girls along according as new faces and opportunity offer. The woman in question was French, of superb figure and doubtful picture talent. She was a fine dancer, also a singer. She told of being invited to the home of a well known Hollywood character, Prince Troubetskoý and wife, who recently departed presumably for Europe. Troubetskoý ranks as one of the greatest sculptors in the world and his Hollywood home saw many a high jinx, intrigue of love and gambling revel. The Prince, a good natured old fellow, cared not what anyone else did, so long as he could gamble and not be obliged to eat meat. His wife enjoyed the society of young men, though not many of them seemed to break their necks courting her favor. The Princess didn't get by very well, not any too sweet with a little tea aboard. So our lady of Film ambition meets a number of men who lounge in and out partaking of the Troubetskoý hospitality. Says the first: “How comes it, Madam, with those eyes you are not in Pictures. Surely there must be some mistake. Now I am the leading man of the ——— Company. I am sure I could get you a chance if you would like to try. But of course we must go out to talk it over; a