Sure to enjoy it
A Jewish family is getting ready to attend the theater. Caption: Mrs. Bernstein (getting ready for the theatre) I see dere vas a real fire-engine in dis blay. / Bernstein (sulkily) Den I von’t go. / Mrs. Bernstein But it eggsblodes on der vay to der fire. / Bernstein (merrily) Hurry up, dear! Ve may be too late!
Comments and Context
There are two subtexts to this cartoon. First, there were a fair number of theater fires on Broadway in this period. Shoddy construction and materials were to blame; as theater owners (part of a meme of the day — a stereotype that the Theater Trust was populated by Jews) improved safety conditions, many stage curtains actually carried the Legend “Asbestos,” to assure patrons that some items were fireproof. The other backstory of the cartoon by O’Neill, once again trafficking in Jewish stereotypes, is the accents found in the caption and the frequently employed cliche that Jewish business owners engaged in arson to collect on insurance policies.