This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
I Do Not Look Forty Seven, Old Enough to Be My Father
A humorous monologue by Billy Rose from 1946 questions age and identity based on a birth certificate claiming 1899. The narrator jokes about aging, memories of Mary Pickford and Christy Mathewson, and confronts the idea of being treated as younger or older than his true age. He riffs on personal milestones, relationships, and cultural references in a stream of quips. The piece ends with a taunt about a debt and a nod to Sessue Hayakawa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bronx
Mary Pickforn
Pittails
Christy Mathewson
Giants
Mickey Rooney
Heller
Eleanor
Bowlessed
Bette Davis
JT Woory