Friday, July 12, 2024

Dorothy McKay in College Humor, September 1936

College Humor is what university students who were "the tops" must have been reading back in the 1930s, no doubt some of the more precocious among the college-bound set as well. I'm still reading it when I can get my hands on a copy and I'm no longer matriculating. Right now I have my hands on four new copies—well, new to me—and three of them have drawings by Dorothy McKay (1904-1974). The September 1936 issue is the earliest of this group, so it seems a good place to start.


McKay had much success at Esquire and some at The New Yorker. She appeared in many other publications as well including College Humor. In the first of her two full-page cartoons for this issue, it is after-hours in an office. An older woman, a McKay specialty, a housekeeper, has found a state-of-the-art means of imparting wisdom to a woman of the younger generation. Brava!

"I wouldn't take that boss of yours too serious, miss—he has a wife and two children."
Dorothy McKay
College Humor, September 1936, p. 29

Meanwhile in the second cartoon, an even older woman can still assess an unforeseen situation and come to the logical conclusion:

"Hello—Plaza Dog-Walking Agency?"
Dorothy McKay
College Humor, September 1936, p. 43


Note:  Obscure published cartoons by the talented Dorothy McKay would be welcome submissions to this blog. If you prefer, I can leave the message on your Dictaphone.





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