The Saturday Evening Post » sailors

Cartoons: World War II

Diana Denny — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:00:08 +0000

World War II brought scrap metal drives, regulation haircuts, and many other major life adjustments—both in the military and at home. Nevertheless, Post cartoonists during the war years still managed to find humor in the situation.

: “One thing I can’t understand about this sentry business. Can you imagine anybody answering ‘Foe’?”
From December 6, 1941

: “Why, it was like everyone else’s.”
From September 13, 1941

: “I’ll get onto it in a minute. Everything is so darn steady.”
From November 14, 1942

: “I feel like an important island in the Pacific.”
From November 5, 1943

: “Regulation cut, please.”
From November 28, 1942

: “I put the scrap iron to be collected right by the furnace. Why do you ask?”
From October 31, 1942

: “The draft hasn’t touched our team, but it certainly played hob with the band.”
From October 31, 1942

: “Couple years out of the country and—ZOWIE—address book to blazes!”
From February 26, 1944

Click here for more World War II cartoons.

Cartoons: World War II The Saturday Evening Post

Classic Covers: World War II

Diana Denny — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:26:54 +0000

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Jungle Commando”
by Mead Schaeffer
From October 14, 1942

The great artist Mead Schaeffer (1898-1980) worked as a war correspondent for The Saturday Evening Post, depicting in cover after cover the daily life of the military man. Schaeffer worked hard for authenticity: he hitched a ride on a submarine, a Coast Guard patrol boat, and various aircraft for his over sixteen World War II covers.

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Medic Treating Injured in Field”
by Mead Schaeffer
March 11, 1944

This 1944 illustration, again by Schaeffer, is a striking reminder of the role of the brave medic in the midst of battle. Schaeffer felt honor-bound to depict the real world of the soldier. But a cover from later that same year, which we show below, depicts a more relaxed side.

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer

: “Barn Dance”
by Mead Schaeffer
November 25, 1944

A well-deserved break at a barn dance is the only war cover Schaeffer did showing a fun side of the times.

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott

: “Baby Booties at Boot Camp”
by Howard Scott
June 17, 1944

Artist Howard Scott also did a number of covers during World War II—usually of the lighter side. A cover bound to make you go “awww,” the story here is clear: It’s a boy!

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt

: “Soldier or Sailor”
by John Newton Howitt
October 19, 1940

This 1940 cover by artist John Newton Howitt shows a twist on the old saw about a sailor having a gal in every port. Tumbling from the lady’s purse is a photo of a soldier. Wartime is hell, buddy.

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell

: “The Homecoming G.I.”
by Norman Rockwell
May 25, 1945

“It was of course very gratifying for me when this painting was selected by the U.S. Treasury for the official poster of the Eighth War Bond Drive,” said Norman Rockwell. The family is rushing out to greet the returning soldier, including the dog and … could mother’s arms be open any wider? The whole neighborhood is delighted in the scene. Notice the shy girl next door waiting patiently to see her sweetheart. You can click on the cover for a close-up of this classic.

For more Rockwell WWII covers, see: “The All-American Soldier: Willie Gillis” and “Thanks Robert Buck, Good-bye Willie Gillis.”

Classic Covers: World War II The Saturday Evening Post

The Bashing of Bullwinkle

Post Editors — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:43:34 +0000

Norman Reilly Raine (June 23, 1894–July 19, 1971), best known today as the screenwriter for the 1938 epic film The Adventures of Robin Hood, also wrote the once-popular Tugboat Annie series. First appearing on July 7, 1931, more than 60 short stories were published over a span of 30 years in The Saturday Evening Post. The series inspired several films and one television adaptation.

What made it such an enduring series, even to readers today, is the character of Tugboat Annie. Her accents, forceful personality, and witty insults keep the laughs, especially when she faces off against Bullwinkle, her arch nemesis on the high seas. This short story, “The Bashing of Bullwinkle,” is the first time Bullwinkle makes an appearance in the series, and the confrontation is memorable.

Read “The Bashing of Bullwinkle”, by Norman Reilly Raine [PDF].

The Bashing of Bullwinkle The Saturday Evening Post

The Saturday Evening Post » sailors

Cartoons: World War II

“One thing I can’t understand about this sentry business. Can you imagine anybody answering ‘Foe’?” From December 6, 1941

“Why, it was like everyone else’s.” From September 13, 1941

“I’ll get onto it in a minute. Everything is so darn steady.” From November 14, 1942

“I feel like an important island in the Pacific.” From November 5, 1943

“Regulation cut, please.” From November 28, 1942

“I put the scrap iron to be collected right by the furnace. Why do you ask?” From October 31, 1942

“The draft hasn’t touched our team, but it certainly played hob with the band.” From October 31, 1942

“Couple years out of the country and—ZOWIE—address book to blazes!” From February 26, 1944

Classic Covers: World War II

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer

“Jungle Commando” by Mead Schaeffer From October 14, 1942

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer

“Medic Treating Injured in Field” by Mead Schaeffer March 11, 1944

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer

“Barn Dance” by Mead Schaeffer November 25, 1944

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp” by Howard Scott June 17, 1944

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt

“Soldier or Sailor” by John Newton Howitt October 19, 1940

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell

“The Homecoming G.I.” by Norman Rockwell May 25, 1945

The Bashing of Bullwinkle

“One thing I can’t understand about this sentry business. Can you imagine anybody answering ‘Foe’?”
From December 6, 1941

“Why, it was like everyone else’s.”
From September 13, 1941

“I’ll get onto it in a minute. Everything is so darn steady.”
From November 14, 1942

“I feel like an important island in the Pacific.”
From November 5, 1943

“Regulation cut, please.”
From November 28, 1942

“I put the scrap iron to be collected right by the furnace. Why do you ask?”
From October 31, 1942

“The draft hasn’t touched our team, but it certainly played hob with the band.”
From October 31, 1942

“Couple years out of the country and—ZOWIE—address book to blazes!”
From February 26, 1944

“Jungle Commando”
by Mead Schaeffer
From October 14, 1942

“Medic Treating Injured in Field”
by Mead Schaeffer
March 11, 1944

“Barn Dance”
by Mead Schaeffer
November 25, 1944

“Baby Booties at Boot Camp”
by Howard Scott
June 17, 1944

“Soldier or Sailor”
by John Newton Howitt
October 19, 1940

“The Homecoming G.I.”
by Norman Rockwell
May 25, 1945