Cartoons: Welcome, Guests

Diana Denny — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:00:09 +0000

Our cartoonists show how easy it is to make guests feel welcome. As long as you don’t have a dog or a child … or husband.

"Just let him know that you’re not afraid of him."

October 1975

"Oh, George, you’ll never guess who’s come to
spend the weekend with us!"

September 10, 1955

"We're looking for a mattress for our guest room.
We don't want anything too comfortable."

Jan/Feb 2009

"Come right in, folks—never you mind what George says."

November 25, 1950.

"I'm usually more polite than this, but my mom says there's no pleasing you."

Mar/Apr 2000

"Just tell him you don’t care for dead squirrels,
Mrs. Goulard."

December 18, 1943

Cartoons: Welcome, Guests The Saturday Evening Post

Classic Covers: Unexpected Visitors

Diana Denny — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:00:41 +0000

You know that moment when you’re nice and comfy—or in a rush to get ready—and someone pops by? Post cover artist George Hughes knows.

“Home Showing” – George Hughes

"Home Showing"
George Hughes
May 26, 1962

She’s still in her robe and curlers trying to clean up while Junior and the cat make more messes. In other words, the real estate is in a real state. And here comes old Smiley, the real estate guy, with two perfectly turned out prospects. “Mrs. Smith, I know that we didn’t have an appointment, but we happened to be nearby and…” I don’t know the outcome of this 1962 visit, but I’m sure the refined lady of the house doesn’t end up shoving the vacuum nozzle up old Smiley’s nose. Pretty sure, anyway….

“Sunday Visitors” – George Hughes

"Sunday Visitors"
George Hughes
February 6, 1954

I love the look on this man’s face. There’s no way he can avoid getting up for much longer. Artist George Hughes (1900-1990) worked as a fashion illustrator for Vanity Fair and other bastions of style while still very young. It wasn’t until 1942 that he landed his first Saturday Evening Post assignment, illustrating a fiction piece.

“Dog Walks Down Aisle of Church” – George Hughes

"Dog Walks Down Aisle of Church"
George Hughes
March 24, 1956

Here’s an unexpected visitor from a 1956 cover. The editors wondered: What the heck does Billy do now? Will an usher come and remove Towser? Will the dog hop into the empty space behind Billy? If so, what will the parishioner in that pew do? And if Billy gets up to walk Towser out, there’s no way his parents won’t turn and notice. A good Post cover engenders a lot of “what ifs.”

“Hitting the Buffet” – George Hughes

"Hitting the Buffet"
George Hughes
November 11, 1961

I laughed out loud when I first saw this 1961 cover. It took me a minute to find the unexpected visitor among the elegantly attired guests. Well, heck, it’s his house! After that 1942 fiction piece, Hughes was assigned to paint the top American Generals over wartime operations in Europe for a Post series called “These are the Generals.” Soon, he was considered as a potential cover artist.

“Bridge Party” – George Hughes

"Bridge Party"
George Hughes
November 28, 1953

“Tough life, being a husband,” Post editors mused. “When, at breakfast, this one was warned about the bridge fest coming up, it didn’t sink in too well, because doesn’t a man have to concentrate on the morning paper?” This cover is kind of like the royal wedding: One can sit back and make fun of the hats. Having become more secure as an artist, Hughes moved to Arlington, Vermont, where he befriended other Post illustrators such as Mead Schaeffer and Norman Rockwell.

“No Chance to Be Alone” – George Hughes

"No Chance to Be Alone"
George Hughes
August 8, 1953

“How unkind fate is to sweethearts,” Post editors complained, “how heartless painter George Fate Hughes was to bring this about.” And to whom is the guy at the top of the sand hill beckoning? No doubt his obnoxious brother-in-law and their six kids. This is from 1953.

“Sunday Visitors” – George Hughes

"Sunday Visitors"
George Hughes
June 17, 1950

“Now we can relax with the paper,” Mr. Conner thinks as he finally bids adieu to the Jones family. Alas, as they say in the infomercials, “But wait, there’s more!” Once again, we plaster on smiles and exchange “good-to-see-yous!” It’s Sunday, so is it okay to pray that this is over before the entire afternoon is shot? Hughes did 115 great Saturday Evening Post covers. Reprints are available at curtispublishing.com

Classic Covers: Unexpected Visitors The Saturday Evening Post

The Saturday Evening Post » guests

Cartoons: Welcome, Guests

"Just let him know that you’re not afraid of him."

"Oh, George, you’ll never guess who’s come to spend the weekend with us!"

"We're looking for a mattress for our guest room. We don't want anything too comfortable."

"Come right in, folks—never you mind what George says."

"I'm usually more polite than this, but my mom says there's no pleasing you."

"Just tell him you don’t care for dead squirrels, Mrs. Goulard."

Classic Covers: Unexpected Visitors

“Home Showing” – George Hughes

“Sunday Visitors” – George Hughes

“Dog Walks Down Aisle of Church” – George Hughes

“Hitting the Buffet” – George Hughes

“Bridge Party” – George Hughes

“No Chance to Be Alone” – George Hughes

“Sunday Visitors” – George Hughes

"Oh, George, you’ll never guess who’s come to
spend the weekend with us!"

"We're looking for a mattress for our guest room.
We don't want anything too comfortable."

"Just tell him you don’t care for dead squirrels,
Mrs. Goulard."