Comment by Milwaukee Matzen on December 29, 2020 at 5:14

What is the name of the book that this is taken from?

Comment by carrie horgan on December 29, 2020 at 10:15

It's from adverts for Harry Reser's tenor banjo correspondence course.  I obtained a copy from Juergen Kulus in Germany http://www.kulus.de/html/reser_lessons.html

Comment by thereallyniceman on December 29, 2020 at 12:40

It comes as no surprise to me that playing the banjo makes the player more attractive to the opposite sex.

Comment by carrie horgan on December 29, 2020 at 14:12

What a photo.  I don't think it's increased my personal magnetism but I do seem to attract a lot of George Formby impressions.  I don't think the average British person knows what an actual banjo is!

Comment by Jody Stecher on December 29, 2020 at 15:14

 There are mysteries or anomalies in the Most Popular Girl picture: The banjo player appears to be sitting on a table although there is a chair available in the lower left of the picture. Perhaps she doesn't want to sit on the open book that is on the chair. Or is it a bra?  The table is a more dramatic perch but perhaps she wants altitude to distance herself from the giant coiled serpent in the lower right  of the picture. Has the serpent has already eaten one of the girls and all that remains is her bra?  The banjo player's left leg is horribly swollen. She has no left foot, as it appears to have been eaten by the snake.  She seems to be playing a 4 string banjo with the fingers of her right hand rather than with a plectrum. The reason might be because she seems to have no thumb. Perhaps the serpent ate that already. Those dressed in light clothing with long sleeves are enthralled with the music. One individual dressed in pants and a black top with no sleeves is running for the door but cannot seem to find it. She reminds me of Hussey's description of the reaction of Antarctic penguins when he played Scottish music on the banjo —"they just fled in horror".  Or is she dancing?

Comment by carrie horgan on December 29, 2020 at 16:19

You have eagle-eyes, Jody!  I didn't look too closely but you have made me chuckle - instead of fleeing to Security ('someone is playing the banjo next door, make it stop!'), I like to imagine it is a scene of immense popularity where everyone is flocking to the room and dancing to 'Black Bottom!'  Those were the days hey?

Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 29, 2020 at 16:53

Funnily, Mr. Reser produced (and played the banjo in) a parody of such "instant popularity" schemes in his record: "Send For Our Free Booklet". Can't find a video or mp3 of it...

Comment by Jody Stecher on December 29, 2020 at 18:40

Maybe she is asserting her second amendment right to have bare arms. (Half way through my 75th year I am asserting my privilege to make bad puns with no consequences. Also my right to make inconsequential puns).

Comment by thereallyniceman on December 30, 2020 at 11:39

Hey Jody,

I used to think that they were punishingly bad, but your recent puns have groan on me.

:-)

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