Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #24 — page 20: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from the satirical magazine contains gossip-style commentary about wealthy New York socialites and their involvement in silent film acting. The text mocks the wealthy's pretensions, noting that a rich woman with yachts and imported cars dabbled in movies simply because she had "the itch to act." The passage reveals that Evelyn Walsh (identified as "the richest unmarried woman in the world") and Mrs. Morgan Belmont appeared as extras in the film "Way Down East." The satire suggests that old-money New York society has lost prestige compared to Texas oil millionaires, and mocks Mrs. Belmont's frivolous discussion of boxers Jack Dempsey and Jack Johnson while on a film set. The humor targets wealth, social climbing, and celebrity culture.