Old and New: An Interesting Perspective

Here is one of Don's favorite cartoons.  He sold it so long long ago that his style has changed quite a bit, and he says he doesn't like the old style, so he redrew the cartoon - just because he likes the gag.  The original was bought by American Legion Magazine and published in the September 1961 issue.  Don tells that the editor burst out laughing when he saw the cartoon.  As you may know editors tend not to laugh out loud - even if they love a gag - a result of looking at so many cartoons!
Another story about this gag happened in the Colosseum in Rome.  Don and wife Suzy we on the upper level looking at the massive arena and imaging what went on there in ancient times.  A young couple approached Don asking him to take their picture with the Colosseum in the background.  Don said Suzy is the photographer in the family.  The couple posed and just as Suzy took the picture Don said "Say mozzarella!"  The couple, like the editor, burst out laughing.  The result was a great picture!

Note the spelling of mozzarella in the original cartoon.  Yes, that's the way it was printed.