1938.11.04 “My Purge seems to be a Tonic”
by Harry Frank (Hy) Gage (1878-1971)
7.4 x 7.6 in, ink on board
Coppola Collection
His first known comic was 'Breeches Boys', which appeared in the Philadelphia Press newspaper in 1901. During the early 1900s, he did at least five other comic strips: 'Doctor Peach' (briefly, in 1908, for the Philadelphia Evening Telegram), 'Generous George' (1906-07), 'Up in the Air with Hungry Halley' (revived as 'Hungry Halley', 1913-14, syndicated through the Chicago Tribune syndicate), 'Mr. Grouch' (1907-08), 'Mrs. Rummage' (1907-13). In the twenties, he came up with 'Miss Information' (1924-30, syndicated through the Ledger syndicate), and 'Doc' (1925). He produced many comics from 1900 to 1930 for several newspapers.
In 1938, frustrated with conservative Democrats who resisted parts of the New Deal, FDR openly tried to “purge” them from the party by supporting more liberal challengers in primary elections. The effort was widely covered and controversial — and ultimately, it largely backfired. Most of FDR’s targets survived, and the Democrats lost seats in the general election.
Disney’s Snow White was in 1937, so very fresh in the public’s mind. Each of the marchers represents states or factions where FDR tried to intervene.
