OT: Are you watching Ken Burns' Prohibition on PBS?

[HuskyNan]

Another fascinating series from Burns. Part II is on CPTV right now.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I should be. Ken Burns is just one of many reasons why we should always have and always support public television.

 

[meyers7]

I watched last night. Might have to catch 2nd installment later.

 

[VAUConnFan]

I am getting awful reception on my local PBS station WCVE in Richmond via Comcast on both the HD and regular channels. A heavily worded complaint is imminent.

 

[Icebear]

It has been another excellent Burns' documentary.

 

[VAMike23]

I caught some of "Prohibition" last night and really enjoyed it. Will have to check the TV schedule for more episodes

 

[Icebear]

Tonight is the last of the three episodes but there are repeats of each during the week I think.

 

[Alexmia]

If you like me missed either of the first two episodes of this terrific show you can watch them on line at http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/. The first two episodes are posted and my guess the third will be following tonights broadcast.

 

[boontonbomber]

brings back memories. i can remember being really annoyed by that amendment.

 

[ndmb]

Hampshire College alumnus!

 

[Zorro]

Y'all see any similarities between Prohibition and the current drug laws? It seems that even those of us who study history are condemned to repeat it.

 

[ndmb]

Pretty much, Zorro.

 

[zyron]

Y'all see any similarities between Prohibition and the current drug laws? It seems that even those of us who study history are condemned to repeat it.

My favorite is during prohibition there was Medical Whiskey and we now have Medical Marijuana. Hopefully this means pot will soon be legalized.

 

[CTyankee]

Just the drug laws? It seems to me that there is a lot going on today in social politics that is a repeat of the climb towards Prohibition...

 

[Icebear]

Just the drug laws? It seems to me that there is a lot going on today in social politics that is a repeat of the climb towards Prohibition...

Indeed.

 

[VAMike23]

So many interesting tidbits and factoids from the "Prohibition" specials.

I hadn't realized that places like 21 and the Stork Club in New York began as speakeasies rather than legal establishments. Also, the film referred to an area where speakeasies were particularly thick: West 52nd Street. It makes sense that this stretch went on to become the most famous incarnation of 'Swing Street', with jazz clubs everywhere, from the early 30's until around 1950 or so. (My understanding is that 133rd Street in Harlem was viewed as the original Swing Street in earlier times.)

Swing Street circa 1948

Swing Street again

Also, I did not know that before Prohibition, men and women seldom if ever drank together in public places. Saloons, it seems, were still for men only. While the image of cowboys and rustlers bellying up to the bar with their spurs and revolvers is familiar from the old westerns, I hadn't thought that the exclusively male saloon lasted into 20th century America, especially in urban settings.

I had never heard audio of Al Smith speaking. What a great, classic 'New York' speaking voice !!