Life, 1929-03-29 · page 20 of 36
Life — March 29, 1929 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains several satirical sections about New York City life, circa early 20th century: **"Spring"** mocks the season's arrival and tourist behavior in Gotham (New York). **"Revolt"** describes villagers protesting the neglect of historic landmarks like the Brevoort and Lafayette, suggesting urban decay and indifference to preservation. **"Bootleg"** satirizes a young man displaying a copy of "The Well of Loneliness" (a suppressed novel) at a drugstore fountain, joking about forbidden literature and social propriety. **"Outline"** features an illustration of what appears to be a socialite with admirers, likely satirizing high society pretension. **"Crystal Gazing"** mocks fortune-telling trends among the wealthy. **"100 Years Ago"** humorously contrasts past announcements with present-day concerns, including military balls, new dances, and gin smuggling during Prohibition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
18 ee une PRING is here! ... there’s a piece of hot news for you, little readers! . . . the saps are run- ning up and down the avenue . . . the Hurdy-gurdies are out . . . the travel- ling Merry-go-rounds . . . the flower wagons . . . the court musicians... the open hacks... the open road- sters ... the open speakeasies ... spring in Gotham. Revolt Angry villagers have risen en masse (all two of them) and protested at what they call “my curt dismissal of Greenwich Village” and the intimation that it has been deserted .. . “You mention” they cry, “one or two of the worst places and overlook such historic landmarks as the Brevoort and the Lafayette \ (and what is more heavenly than Sunday morning breakfast at the Lafayette) Sam Schwartz's, Alice McAllister’s, our own skyscraper—No. 1 Fifth Ave., Macdougal Al- ley, ete, ete.” . . . my apologies to my good friends in Greenwich Village. Bootleg On the upper East side a drugstore cow- boy is cleaning up . this young gent is the possessor of a copy of “The Well of Loneliness” (recent- ly suppressed) which he rents out to cus- tomers at so much an hour... they are not allowed to take the book away but have to do their reading at the fountain. Outline In Putnam's window on sth Ave. there is a pic- turization (in the shape of plaques) of the ascent, or descent, of man ... starting with the ameba it works up through the fish, raccoon, and on up, or down, to the present day male . . . come to think of it he hasn't changed much at that. Crystal Gazing Stationery stores now carry a new wrinkle in the shape of a fortune tell- ing crystal ball . . . it answers all ques- tions on Love, Marriage, etc., and if you're not satished with the answers you can use it as a paper weight. 100 Years Ago Pantaloons will be admitted as ap- propriate costume at the Military Ball at the New York Theatre, in the Bowery. . .Mr. Conway announces a new waltz class for gentlemen at 169 Mott st... . the new waltz, inciden- tally, has come in for a panning from the Methodists... J. Updyke, Esq. received go barrels of Holland Gin on the copper schooner Athenae . . . the weather has turned very severe and coal may go above $5 a ton... . the win Bon pun ship the Tho with Tho: 61 | Har, has cated Jack: Reu amon “ia insiste to Ne hist | which after ; | Joe w meter Sh! The .u and st. paintit and mals ¢ nids ungle 10 plac comicbooks.com