Life, 1928-12-28 · page 24 of 37
Life — December 28, 1928 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical page contains several standalone gags mocking contemporary society: **Top left:** A tourist mistakes a dead body for a "traffic victim"—satirizing how common traffic deaths had become. **Middle left:** A South American mother references Santa arriving "on a battleship," likely mocking militarization or American military presence in the hemisphere. **Bottom left:** A coach pressures his team to win "for the honor" of their school and his contract renewal—exposing the hypocrisy of athletic institutions prioritizing profit over principle. **Right side comics:** "The Age-Old Story" depicts a convict imprisoned because "she loved nice things"—suggesting women's materialism causes crime. The "Movie Magnate" sketch plays on Hollywood's contradictions: hiring someone precisely *because* he refuses to question nonsense, inverting the stated requirement. Overall, the page satirizes American traffic culture, militarism, collegiate sports corruption, and Hollywood's absurd hiring practices.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Tourist: Hmmm! Traffic victim? Sovrit Amenicay Moriter: And this Christmas Santa Claus is com- ing to you from ‘way up in North America, on a battleship. Tue Ace-Orp Story Visor: Why are you here, my poor man? Convict: Because she loved nice things. Movie Macnate: I want a man who can say NO, when I talk noa- sense. Are you that man? Coacu: Now remember, boys—you're going out to win for the honor Appuicant: No! of dear old Wotsis and the renewal of my contract. Movie Macnate (enthusiastically): You're hired! comicbooks.com