Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, June 1922 · page 61 of 68
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #34 — page 61: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from the satirical magazine contains several short jokes targeting 1920s social issues and celebrities: **"Phoenix Pulls This"** jokes about flapper fashion—specifically the trend of revealing backs in party dresses. The humor relies on the daughter's claim she wore it backwards, mocking both the scandalous styles and parental disapproval. **"An Odd Number"** plays on flapper culture and forward dating practices, with a conductor using his work number as a pickup line. **"Favorite Flowers"** contains puns on famous figures: Henry Ford (cars/car-nation), Mrs. Elinor Glyn (a famous romance novelist), John Chinaman (likely referencing opium/poppies and anti-Chinese stereotypes), Washburn Crosby (appears to reference a flour company), and generic young men (wild thyme/time). The opening section references **Prohibition** ("Mr. Volstead"), the Volstead Act that banned alcohol. The "chorine" (chorus girl) becoming wealthy via an estate suggests how some women profited during Prohibition's era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
59 Captain Billy's Whiz Bang other person seems to be in the game. But there is one we are strong for. She is a dash-ingly pretty girl who calls to get your order in a most business-like way. She used to be a chorine until Mr. Volstead got in his work. Now she has an estate on Long Island. * * * Phoenix Pulls This Daughter—"How do you like my new party gown, father?" Father—"Why, daughter! You surely aren't going out with half of your back exposed?" Daughter (looking in mirror)—"Oh, father! How stupid of me. I have this dress on back-wards." * * * An Odd Number Furious Flapper—"I'll report you. What's your number?" Smitten Conductor—"Main 2122. Call me after six." * * * Favorite Flowers Henry Ford—Car-Nation. Mrs. Elinor Glyn—Passion Flower. John Chinaman—Poppy. Washburn Crosby—Eventually, why not now. Any young fellow—Wild Thyme. * * * When you haven't got a handkerchief a cold is an awful 'draw-back.