Will B. Johnstone - Tojo snake (The Marx Brothers Marxology)

Japan's aggressive politics in the 1940s was a popular target of Will B. Johnstone. The depiction of the Japanese as "Tojo", with a snake body and - occassionally - a "peace talk" flag tied to his tail, was a classic.

A news item inspired this cartoon; "Japs dedicate new song to memory of late Admiral Yamamoto to remind people of determination to crush Anglo-americans". "Tojo", Hitler, Mussolini and French traitor Pierre Laval all get their share in these lyrics ("Tin Pan Alley, please write!", Johnstone has added), but also his own character "the Taxpayer".

The Will B. Johnstone Virtual Gallery