Life, 1929-07-05 · page 25 of 41
Life — July 5, 1929 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine contains satirical commentary on 1920s New York City life. The top section mocks Manhattan pretensions through ironic observations—venues with grand names lacking grandeur (Grand Central isn't grand, Polo Grounds never hosted polo), and absurd contradictions (Jimmy Walker, likely the city's mayor, "seldom walks"). The two illustrations depict upscale social venues: the upper shows what appears to be *The Biltmore Cascades*, a fancy hotel ballroom or restaurant with formally dressed diners; the lower depicts *The Japanese Gardens atop the Ritz*, another elite gathering spot. The "Heroes" section satirizes New York's supposed lack of chivalry by awarding a medal to a street car conductor for performing basic courtesy—helping a 250-pound woman cross the street. This is presented ironically: the gesture is genuinely kind, but New Yorkers supposedly dismiss such behavior as hopelessly old-fashioned. Overall, the satire targets both New York's false sophistication and its reputation for rudeness.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
New York Life ments might turn to growing old racefully . . . after all, this ascent to Olympus might be just what we need... in such an atmosphere our thoughts might aspire to higher things than money-making, bull mar- kets, psychoanalysis, sex and jazz _.. but then, probably my head is in the clouds. Manhattan Madness Polo has never been played at the Polo Grounds... The Lambs club is full of hams... Grand Central Station is on the East side of the city . there’s nothing grand about the Grand Concourse . . . a cover charge doesn’t cover anything . . . a dramatic critic can't write a good play...a box-office contains no front row tickets . . . there are no roses in Rose- land... The World is flat... the New Yorker is read by Out-of-towners ..the New Amsterdam is a very old theatre . . . the Great White Way is mostly red, yellow and blue.. limmy Walker seldom walks. Manna-About-Town The St. Regis Roof . . . the new ice cubes with dice dots on them... a great summer drink—iced coffee with gin in it... the sepia show “Hor Chocolates”... Lee Chumley’s place in the village decorated with Book Jackets... Winchell’s column in the The Japanese Gardens atop the Ritz. Mirror ... le cog d'or up in Norwalk... Lover's Lane in the subway at Times Square... the as- ininity of women in Beach pajamas... the tune “Moanin’ Low.” Heroes Distinguished Serv- ice medal herewith handed to Conductor of Eighth Avenue street car No. 19 ++. this gentleman left his platform, re- moved his hat and coat, stopped the traffic and escorted a two hundred and fifty pound lady to the curb... and you wise- crackin’ N'Y aw kers say there’s no chivalry! The Biltmore comicbooks.com