Judge, 1929-03-16 · page 35 of 36
Judge — March 16, 1929 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical advertisement for "Doctor Judge"—a personification of *Judge* magazine itself—presented as a humorous physician offering laughter as medicine. The satire mocks both contemporary medical fads (violet rays, pills, powders) and the magazine's own self-promotion. **The figures:** "Dr. Judge" is the magazine anthropomorphized; "V. Gates, Undertaker's Boy" is a fictional testimonial from someone whose depression was cured by the magazine's humor. **The joke:** An undertaker's assistant—someone surrounded by death—becomes cheerful through reading *Judge*. This darkly comic pairing suggests the magazine's humor is so powerful it can uplift even those in the grimmest profession. **The satire:** By advertising "laughter as cure" while mimicking medical advertising (with pricing tiers for "visits"), the page gently mocks both dubious medical treatments of the era and magazine advertising itself. The coupon reinforces this—readers can literally "purchase" happiness through subscription.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
| Old Doctor Judge With His Humorous Ways, Beats Pills and Powders and Violet Rays! | “Health follows after I treat you with laughter ; To cure your condition,” o Says noted physician. t ot en | . DR. JUDGE ] Eminent Doctor of Humor and Mirth, 0 Healer of Worries that sadden the earth, uy Author of legions of rollicking tomes, . j Visitor weekly in thousands of homes. hy Funny Bone Mender, whose history shows al Succor and aid for Society’s Woes, ] I am happy at embalming. Right) down to) your{ Jeb} I'm as rosy as an apple (104 Regular Weekly Visits .......0055 $7.80 | In the mortuary chapel , ‘i | > a * © 52 Regular Weekly Visits ............ 5.00 | | And though kittenish and prankful, apron Anca Mie | | From my heart am deeply thankful!” O 20 Special Weekly Visits .........2.-4- 2.00 | V. GATES Undertaker’s Boy “T was bursting with ambition, Held a promising position With a prominent Mortician. s restless, | was grumpy. grouchy, I was jumpy, And ‘til Judge, my doctor, cured me I don’t see how folks endured me! Since I've had his treatments calming Jovial fellow, with practice extensive, Mirthful and mellow, and yet inexpensive— Why should a person remain apprehensive? Stifle your worry and banish your fret, Clip off the magical coupon and let This be a moment you'll never regret! Doctor Judge, 7 West ard Street, New York, N. Dear Doctor Judge: I'm weary of worry, I want to be bright. I'd like you to hurry And set me aright. Um ready to chuckle, No longer to sob. And ask you to buckle comicbooks.com