Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Mary Worth IS sobriety

This is a little different than what I usually post, but it's far too good to pass up. These little gems from 1977 are somewhat familiar (think drunken swan shattering) and clearly show Mary's brilliant track record of enforcing sobriety. I particularly enjoy Mary's "I mean business" look, which seems to also be effective in suppressing delirium tremens. Mary is the rehab, social services, and substance abuse counselor of Santa Royale while still being able to induce that crushing guilt that comes with disappointing your mother.






I also very much enjoy how every addict in Mary Worth always talks us through their addiction, as if we can't comprehend what the effects of drink or drugs may be.

"Gosh, this 'crack' cocaine makes me feel so super, like I won't need to take a nap this afternoon! Of course, it's a poor coping mechanism which really should be replaced with an intense psychiatric evaluation, but just a couple 'rocks' won't hurt! That cut glass decanter on the shelf looks perfect to smoke out of."

You think Dick Tracy is disturbing now? 1977 Dick Tracy is seriously the stuff of nightmares. Terrifying.




2 comments:

Wanders said...

These old strips are awesome! Where'd you find them?

Gold-Digging Nanny said...

More houndstooth from hell in today's strip -- though it appears to be black and lavender. And the shorts appear to have given Toby what the fashion mockers at Go Fug Yourself refer to as a "polterwang."