Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, March 1922 · page 8 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #31 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Captain Billy's Whiz Bang* contains two pieces of satirical humor: **The Spiritualism Joke**: A widow consults a medium to contact her deceased husband Cyrus Hopkins. The punchline subverts expectations—when she asks if he's happy in heaven, he reveals he's "in hell." The humor targets both spiritualism (a popular but widely mocked practice of the era) and suggests marital discord, implying the husband is unhappy even in the afterlife, presumably because he's still connected to his wife. **The Harry Lauder Anecdote**: The editor ("Ye Ed") begins recounting an embarrassing incident involving Scottish comedian Sir Harry Lauder, a famous vaudeville performer of the 1920s. The incomplete passage suggests he dressed overly formally or informally for a reception in Lauder's honor, creating comedic anticipation for the punchline to follow on the next page. Both pieces exemplify *Whiz Bang's* style: irreverent humor targeting spiritualism fads and poking fun at the magazine's own editor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
6 Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang EVER since the death of our good neighbor, Cyrus Hopkins, his lonely widow has made a conscientious study of spiritual- ism. The other morning Mrs. Hopkins visited a Minneapolis medium in the hopes she might communicate with her late husband. The con- nection soon was made and the following con- versation took place: “Is this you, Cyrus?” “Yes, dear.” “Are you happy?” “Yes, dear.” “Happier than when you were with me?” “Yes, dear.” “Ain’t heaven just grand?” “I don’t know, dear. I’m in hell.” * * * HOW, Kind and Forbearing Readers of this great encyclopedia of Psychic Research, better known as The Whiz Bang, pause a moment while Ye Ed relates how Sir Harry Lauder indirectly caused me much embarrass- ment. While lunching at the Friars’ Club on my last visit to New York City, I was cordially in- vited to a big reception at the Hotel Commodore in honor of Sir Harry Lauder, famous Scottish comedian. The momentous night arrived and I donned by “Sunday-go-to-meeting” clothes for the great event. Please try to imagine my chagrin and sheepishness when friends who had called to escort me, very courteously and, I