Life, 1929-05-17 · page 6 of 52
Life — May 17, 1929 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct elements: **Upper portion:** An advertisement for Sterling Engine Company (Buffalo, NY), featuring a photograph of a boat and descriptive text about marine engines. **Lower portion:** "A Clothes Call," a comedic theatrical sketch. The cartoon illustration shows three men in a living room, with the caption: "Dad, why are you so opposed to my marrying Aloysius? Principally because I don't like the looks of the thing!" The sketch satirizes paternal disapproval of a suitor, playing on the father's dismissive attitude toward the prospective son-in-law. The humor derives from the father's shallow objection—judging the man purely on appearance rather than character or circumstances. This reflects early 20th-century domestic comedy conventions, poking fun at both generational conflict and superficial social judgments about courtship and marriage prospects.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Clothes Call! (A Tucking Short) Characters: Sur Coat, who is stock-up because of his tie-tle. Petry Coat, who wants to get hooked. Jack Er, a garb in the U. S. Navy. Bertna, a mysterious collar. Trowser, a dog that snaps. Act One Scene: A garden, with a babbling brook and rustic breeches. (Enter Sur Coat.) Sur Coat (singing): My wife's gown to the country—ARRAY! AR- RAY! (Enter Perry Coat and Jack Er). Perry Coar (slyly): Good mourning, Father! Weed like to hear you sing some more. Sur Coat (surlily): Hose that young man that stocking to you? Petry Coat: Oh, he’s my bow! Jack Er (cordially): Pleats to meet you. Sur Coat (to Perry Coat): I'll not UPERBLY beautiful boats, conceived by master designers, have you seen with guise like that! built by recognized skill, appointed with discriminating Perry Coat: Bur Father, I lov taste, the Lyon-Tuttle boats express the Metropolitan hem! “ tae ONS idea brilliantly. € They cost a little more with the Sterling Petrel 200 HLP. engine because Sterling simply woo't build Jack Er: And I care for her over- down to meet a price The difference you pay is easily all women! (to Perry Coat) Don I? justified by the better running and longer life of the Petrel. Sur Coat (impatiently): Wear do € You have but to look at this engine to see the difference; you get that stuff? I shall not waist to hear the clear, even exhaust to know it’s a berter engine; words with you! to sun it a few seasons to really appreciate this Perry Coat (desperately): But I Sterling PetecL . . a gauntlet him go! I am s-mitten with him! Jack Er (sadly): Of corset grieves Nef me not to stay, bodice all for the vest! 4 Petry Coat (lovingly): I will al- 1S ways be trousseau do not fear! (Exit Jack Er, lingeringly) Act Two THE STERLING ENGINE CO. BuffaloNY Scene: Sur Coat’s den, overlooking hill and veil. Sur Coat is discovered at desk. Sur Coat (musing to himself): The golden sun sets undervest .. . I w-underwear my wifie is tonight... How the day slips by! It is five-thirty by the cloak! (KNOCK AT DOOR): Wrap! Wrap! Sur Coat (uncertainly): Hook can it be? VOICE (softly): It is Eve! Sur Coat (in surprise, opening door): Ah! Won't you step-in? (Enter Bertua, A MYSTERIOUS COLLAR). Bertna (still softly): Are you shirt won't inconvenience you? Sur Coat (formally): May I see your cardigan? Bertua: I have come to see you about an in-vestment—(advances swift- ly) an in-vestment in lovel Sur Coat (uneasily): Look out— “Dad, why are you so opposed to my marrying Aloysius?” I wouldn’t derby caught! “Principally because I don't like the looks of the thing!” (Continued on Page 7) comicbooks.com