Judge, 1929-02-16 · page 35 of 36
Judge — February 16, 1929 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is an advertisement for *Judge* magazine itself, personified as "Dr. Judge"—a quack doctor who prescribes laughter as medicine. The cartoon plays on early 20th-century patent medicine advertising, which made exaggerated health claims. The satire works on two levels: it mocks contemporary snake-oil salesmen while promoting *Judge*'s own product (humorous content). The accompanying illustrations show a chaotic domestic scene and a cartoonish doctor figure. The subscription offer below treats readers as "patients" needing weekly doses of humor at $7.80-$2.00, depending on frequency. The copy promises that laughter cures ailments, prevents grouchiness, and improves disposition—a playful jab at dubious medical claims while selling the magazine's value as entertainment and stress relief. This reflects *Judge*'s self-positioning as essential to American life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Laughter is a healer of humanity's diseases. Laughter, born of merriment and mirth-provoking wheezes, Steps us up and peps us up As through this life we trud; Would you spurn your liniment or lenitive or lotion? Would you smash the bottle with your evil-tasti Would you quaff a tonic like a voyage on the oc What you lack is in the p: Of good old Doctor Judge! Dr. Judge, the kindly, is no surgeon or trepanner. Dr. Judge, the healer, is a very subtle planner. Dr. Judge, the merry, has a magie Bedside Manner— One that takes a grouch and makes Him happy, hale and whole. Dr. Judge’s medicine all dolefulness disperses. Joyous jokes and paragraphs are Dr. Judge's nurses. Dr. Judge's jollity, frivolity and verses Heal the sick and double quick Restore the saddened soul! Dr. Judge's treatments aren't only for the ailing. People who are happy, and who find life easy sailing, Dr, Judge's visits with hilarity are hailing, For the Doe is quick to block A growing grouch or grudge. Though you are a person with no secret inhibition, Mentally and otherwise in excellent condition, Though’ you have the lightest and the brightest disposition— To be sure it will endure Secure old Dr. Judge! roc c ccc ccc rere ee cal ag 216-9 1 Judge Publishing Co., Inc., 627 West 43rd New York, Dear Doctor Judge: I want to be sunny, I want to be gay, I want to stay funny and merry all day. So, magic con- cocter of laughter and jes make you my doctor—come on, do your best! 1] 104 Regular weekly visits (2 years) $7.80 $2 Regular weekly visits (I year )..... 5.00 20 Special weekly visi Address, City... ese oea ' ! ' ' Name... ' i) comicbooks.com