Comic Strip / Dimples' Day Dreams

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A short comic strip serial by Nell Brinkley that ran during the spring of 1928, Dimples' Day Dreams follows the flighty Delphine (aka "Dimples") as she revels in the freedom afforded to modern girls when it comes to careers and romantic prospects. Dimples spends her time fantasizing about the fabulous jobs she might embark on, one day coveting a life on stage and the next dreaming of becoming President. Shadowing Dimples all the while is her beleaguered boyfriend who spends his days begging Dimples to give up her flights of fancy and settle down with him.

Dimples' Day Dreams kept to the format Brinkley had established earlier in the 1920's with The Adventures of Prudence Prim and The Fortunes of Flossie: self-contained installments with little in the way of overarching plot, static characters, captions written up in snappy rhyme, a simple shtick, and Brinkley's signature over-the-top costuming on the leading lady.

Tropes Include:

• Alliterative Title: Dimples' Day Dreams
• Beach Episode: Downplayed, but the April 28th strip begins with Dimples and her boyfriend taking a trip to the beach. As Dimples splashes in the surf and daydreams amidst her sandcastles, her boyfriend begs her to give up her fantasizing and settle down:
  Upon the sandy, handy beach, again he spoke his piece—
  "For heaven's sake, quit dreaming, won't this stalling EVER cease?"
• Costume Porn: Dimples wears fabulous modern fashions and is equally well-dressed in her daydreams. Artist Nell Brinkley's work was well known for the glamorous wardrobes of her her protagonists, and the "Dimples" comics were another opportunity to show off those costuming chops. From a stylish take on an aviatrix's flight suit to a movie star's showstopping ballgown to a figure-flattering, fur-trimmed parka to a showgirl's sequined leotard, leading lady Dimples gets to wear an impressive range of outfits despite the serial's short (9 installment) run.
• Cupid's Arrow: In one strip where Dimples' boyfriend daydreams of a simple marriage and a happy home with his beloved, a little cupid posed beside his armchair aims an arrow at his heart. At the boyfriend's other side sits a Putto representing Dimples' professional aspirations (as evidenced by the ribbon emblazoned with "Miss Career" and laurel crown) raising its hands in protest.
• The Flapper: The comic was published in 1928, with protagonist Dimples as a prime example of the modern flapper girl. She enjoys the freedom to pursue a variety of careers (or at least imagines herself doing so — there's never an indications that Dimples actually seeks out employment, she just threatens to leave her longsuffering boyfriend to go off and become a glamorous actress or famous aviatrix). Instead of focusing on romance Dimples' aspirations largely revolve around becoming famous, gaining respect, or having wild adventures.
• Imagine Spot: Most of the action in this comic strips takes place in a world of fantasy as Dimples imagines the glamorous and exciting careers she might pursue — half or more of the page and panels are generally dedicated to her wild flights of fancy. The boyfriend gets his own daydream in the April 21st strip, envisioning him and Dimples in domestic bliss with an adorable toddler.
• New Job Episode: In each strip, Dimples daydreams about a new career that would make her rich, famous, and respected. Some jobs she imagines embarking on include:
  • Actress, as seen in the March 17th strip
  • Aviatrix, as seen in the April 7th strip
  • Dancer, as seen in the April 28th strip
  • Explorer, as seen in the May 12th strip
  • Modern Artist, as seen in the May 5th strip
  • Movie Star, as seen in the March 31st strip
  • Politician, as seen in the April 21st strip
• Lady in a Power Suit: Perhaps one of the earliest examples of the trope in print, with one strip depicting Dimples imagining herself the president of the United States. As Madame President she wears an immaculately tailored double-breasted suit over a diaphanous blouse with exaggerated bell sleeves and a lacy cravat, while her fitted trousers are accented with bell-bottom cuffs of the same gauzy fabric.
• No Full Name Given:
  • Delphine's boyfriend doesn't get a full name. In one strip he begs her to become "Pretty Mrs. Jones," so it's possible that "Jones" is his last name (or it could be a placeholder last name like "Doe," with the boyfriend simply asking her to take on "Mrs." as his bride).
  • Delphine herself is never given a last name. In the May 12th strip her luggage is monogrammed "D.D.", but no further hints are given.
• Operation: Jealousy: Fed up with Dimples neglecting their relationship for her imagined escapades, her boyfriend begins courting one of Dimples' friends. This works so well that Dimples immediately agrees give up her fantasizing and marry him.
  "You come right over," on the phone, "I've heard the nasty truth,
  So you've been quite attentive to my little schoolmate, Ruth!"
  The boyfriend smiles when he arrives—"It's so! And, please, why not?
  You dream away, let me run loose—now answer on the spot!"
• Precious Puppy: Dimples has a pet dog that resembles a schnauzer. The pup appears in the March 31 and April 21 strips — though when she imagines life as a movie star, Dimples also imagines showing off an "imported peke" (i.e. Pekingese) as she's driven around in her similarly imported motorcar.
• Socialite: The March 24th strip sees Dimples desiring the life of a "Society Star," no occupation other than hobnobbing with her wealthy peers:
  The thrills of bridge—tall stakes—and social grand slams where
  The swift set spends its afternoons, so rich that they don't care.
  Upon the bridle path, with some infatuated heir
  Of countless millions — purple name—and very shiny hair—
  Admired, adored, the magnet of the eligible men
  Where none can "crash" but the elite—such dreams she visions then!
• Strictly Formula: Each strip in the serial (barring the introduction and the finale) features Dimples getting lost in a fantasy about an exciting career she could embark on, much to the distress of her real-life boyfriend (who feels neglected as his beau dreams about becoming famous, gaining a fortune, and flirting with other men). The boyfriend pleads with Dimples to be reasonable. Dimples may or may not be rudely awakened from her fantasy.
• The Suffragette: Author Nell Brinkley was an active proponent of Women's Suffrage and Dimples is one of her first comic characters to take advantage of the right to vote (which had only been granted to women with the ratifying of the 19th Amendment in 1920). She daydreams of getting into politics where she might be elected Mayor, Governor, or even President.
• Wedding Finale: The series ends with Dimples agreeing to give up her wild daydreams and settle down with her boyfriend. As the caption puts it, "THIS is her first TRUE day-dream—sweet 'Love, Honor and Obey!'"