21 Totally Insane Vintage News Stories

1 minute read
From the Aug. 26, 1929, issue of TIME.TIME
By Lily Rothman

Lest anyone believe interest in weird or funny local-news stories is a phenomenon of the Internet age, here’s a look at some of the gems that ran in the “Miscellany” column — under the heading “TIME Brings All Things” — in issues of TIME from the 1920s and 1930s. Shining a spotlight on everyday people who do stupid stuff is, it turns out, an enduring news-media tradition.

From the Mar. 3, 1923, issue of TIME. She must have had it hic-up to here.TIME
From the Feb. 3, 1930, issue of TIME. Um, O.K.TIME
From the Oct. 12, 1923, issue of TIME. Proof that happy families aren't actually all alike. TIME
From the Dec. 12, 1932, issue of TIME. Gives new (creepy) meaning to "spooning" with someone.TIME
From the Apr. 28, 1923, issue of TIME. Perhaps the world's only baleen bailiff.TIME
From the Nov. 1, 1937, issue of TIME. When he did get any sleep, it was brief.TIME
From the Aug. 26, 1929, issue of TIME. Presented without comment.TIME
From the April 28, 1923, issue of TIME. Ironically unfunny.TIME
From the July 23, 1923, issue of TIME. Bow down.TIME
From the Aug. 4, 1924, issue of TIME. They say if you love something, let it go.TIME
From the Aug. 26, 1924, issue of TIME. More like attachment bear-enting, am I right?TIME
From the Aug. 4, 1924, issue of TIME. More like sowing your wild goats, am I right?TIME
From the Nov. 26, 1934, issue of TIME. More like wedding ows, am I right?TIME
From the Aug. 25, 1924, issue of TIME. Sit! Stay! Rollover your 401(k)!TIME
From the Apr. 9, 1928, issue of TIME. When they got married, she bit off more than she could chew.TIME
From the June 4, 1928, issue of TIME. And that is why you should cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.TIME
From the Feb. 3, 1930, issue of TIME. He must have had plenty of spare time.TIME
From the Aug. 10, 1931, issue of TIME. The ex-grain-ge rate was pretty good.TIME
From the Mar. 2, 1936, issue of TIME. That comes out to $3.00 for four-and-twenty.TIME
From the Jan. 25, 1937, issue of TIME. He wasn't Yankich-ing anyone's chain.TIME
From the Apr. 12, 1937, issue of TIME. Not bad!TIME

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Write to Lily Rothman at lily.rothman@time.com