Life, 1929-03-22 · page 32 of 36
Life — March 22, 1929 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page features a one-act comedic play that's entirely composed of **gun-related puns and double entendres**. The title plays on "shotgun wedding" (a forced marriage), but the script substitutes firearms terminology for romantic language. Characters include "Daisy Air-Gun" (the heroine), "Pop Gun" (her stepfather), "Buck Shot" (her lover), and "Ramrod" (the antagonist). The dialogue replaces normal words with gun vocabulary: "Be gun," "in-trigger," "gat out," "recoil," "arm," and "target." The satire mocks overwrought melodramatic theater of the era by treating the entire romantic conflict as if conducted through firearm metaphors—transforming a serious "shotgun wedding" scenario into absurdist wordplay. The joke relies on readers recognizing both the clichéd theatrical conventions and appreciating the pun-heavy substitutions that undermine any dramatic tension. This appears designed as light entertainment for *Life* magazine's satirically-minded readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*TANTALIZING TEABERRIES:s ba [CASHIER Said Peg to the Boy Friend at dinner: “Thanks dear, you're a darling old sinner. When the cashier you greet. Loosen up with a treat— Buy some TEABERRY Gum—it's a winner.” WIN 325 Youcangetfromany CLARK'S Chewing Gum Dealer FREE“ Tantalizing Teaberry” blanks, each containinga “TANTALIZING TEABERRY ™ with the last line missing. Fill in that missing line! Mail us the blank. We will pay $25 for each last line that we publish. If a winning last line is duplicated, each person submitting the duplicated line will be paid $25. All entries must be mailed on or beforethe date indicated onthe blank. Get your “Tanulizing Teaberry” blank today! Try CLARK'S TEABERRY GUM for “last-line™ inspiration. Clark Brothers Chewing Gum Company, Pittsburgh, U. S. A. mwsS THE BERRIES / *CLARK'S Teaberry Gum...a different flavors Movies (Continued Jrom Page >) “The Spieler” When you see this picture adver- tised don't yet it confused with “The Barker”. They are both about carni- vals, but there the resemblance ceases. SAUTS At home, at the theatre. while shopping or traveling, or if you find yourself in stuffy rooms or crowded places, the pungent fra- Jcrance of Crown Lavender Smelling Salts clears the brain, steadies the n rating—a delight and comfort. everywhere. Schieffelin & Co.. ie 26 Cooper Square, New York, “The Barker” We have always thought of a car- nival as a place to go and have fun, but, according to “The Spieler”, the side-show business is a hangout for a flock of gentlemen who will break your neck for practically no reason at all. There are three sudden and vio- lent deaths in the picture, but, when we come to think of it, if it hadn't been for these killings there wouldn't have been any excitement at all. is a good picture. Alan Hale is the crooked spieler and Renee Adoree is the lady who owns the carnival and inspires the love that results in Alan's reform. They make an earnest effort to be entertain- ing, but apparently nothing can be done about it. There is no reason why you should see “The Spieler.” “The Shotgun Wedding” (A One-Act Play On Words) Characters: Daisy Air-Gun, the heroine; a wide Miss, but a big hit. She is a perfect 38, and has bangs. Pop Gen, her cruel step-father, who cannon understand her. Buck Stot, Datsy’s lover, but a little dumdum. Ramrop, the hated rifle; an awful bore. honest Scenes (Enter Datsy and Ramrop, followed by Por Ges.) Ramrop: Come now, me proud beauty, why be so Colt to me? Datsy: Be gun, villain! Be gun, I say! Ramrop (aside, to Por): Observe how I shall in-trigger! (To Datsy) See, I have bought you a fine box of chocolates and boom-booms! Daisy: I told you to gat out! Pop: Her lover—that zoom she's waiting for! (To Datsy) Luger here, young woman, didn’t I order you to give up that lazy boom? Datsy (haughtily): Perhaps .. .1 do not recoil, at the present moment. Ramrop: Have a care, my gal, lest you come to arm! Heh! heh! heh! Daisy (sobbing): Out of my sight, wretch! Ramrop (triumphantly): Tears, hey? Ahah, your weapon will avail you naught! Buck Suot (rushing from wing): Cease! You are trifling with the heart of an honest woman! I love Daisy, and I'll fight target her! Martini &Rossi Non Atcoholic VERMOUTH comicbooks.com