The Funnies - The Prohibition Machine (1920)

Life Magazine, January 1920

"It's the upkeep of the darn machine that worries me."

The Funnies - Special Edition: 100th Anniversary of the Beginning of Prohibition (1922)

"Did you hear of the latest horrible effects of prohibition?"

"No, what are they?"

"Mrs. Boston Terrier's new pups were born without corkscrew tails."

Life Magazine, 1922

The Funnies - The Up-to-date Investigators (1922)

The Up-to-date Investigators

"What are you looking for, boys?"

"Someone said there was a blind pig in the cellar."

Life Magazine, 1922

The Funnies - The Wood Alcohol Tree (1920)

The Wood Alcohol Tree

The Judge Magazine, July 1920

The Funnies - Slander (1922)

"I understand you were cold sober at the Smithons' party last Saturday."

"Damn it all - that's a dirty slander."

Life Magazine, 1922

The Funnies Prohibition Special: The Catch of the Season (1920)

"She seems to have a great many admirers."

"My dear Ethel, she's the catch of the season. Her father left her the best-stocked cellar in this country."

The Judge Magazine, July 1920

In honor of the second day of the House of Representative's ratification of Prohibition.

The Funnies Special Prohibition Edition: Columbia's Sweetheart (1920)

Columbia's Sweetheart

The Judge Magazine, July 1920

The now defunct three-mile limit refers to what used to be the limits of international waters, back in a day when how far a country's territorial claims was linked to how far a cannon could fire. Even in the 20's when this cartoon came out, military hardware had probably exceeded a range of three miles. The point, though, is that America's prohibition on liquor extended only as far as its waters and three miles out you could enjoy a cool drink without fear of arrest. So, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the House of Representatives ratifying the constitutional amendment prohibiting the sale or consumption of liquor, I give you a time when candy was, indeed, dandy.

The Funnies - Momentary Quandary (1922)

A Momentary Qualm

Life Magazine, 1922

The Funnies - Catnip (1920)

"I suppose the next thing they'll prohibit catnip."

Life Magazine, January 1, 1920

The Funnies - Thinking of Beer (1920)

"Officer arrest that man! He seems to be thinking of beer."

Life Magazine, January 1, 1920

Beer and Morale

Ah, another "beverage of moderation" ad from the Brewing Industry Foundation. The shock of prohibition hadn't dissipated in July of 1943 when this ad ran and it shows. Behind the typical World War II patriotism and white-wash of mom, home, and apple pie Americana there's a slight "we're still good, right?" self-checking.

Notice that the image used for this ad doesn't even show a hint of an alcoholic beverage? Nope, not even a coffee cup that could conceal a little nip of whiskey. In fact it's very Norman Rockwell with the wife looking on fondly while her husband stares adoringly at the radio. Ah, the forties, when spouses didn't speak to each other...

And who knew we probably would be speaking German right now if it wasn't for the morale-improving characteristics of beer? Yup, if the American worker wasn't half soused between shifts he just might have fallen into a lethargic depression and we know where that leads. Yup, all work and no play sinks ships...or something like that.

Sports - Defeat and Victory

One week into the NFL season and some of us already can sympathize with the sentiment of this 1941 beer ad. I don't know if defeat actually is sweeter with a beer, but I'd agree that the edge is taken off.

I believe the odd phrasing, a kindly glass of beer or ale, can be attributed to two things: the relatively recent repeal of prohibition and the rise of fascism in Europe. American brewers probably weren't too eager to tread on the smoldering coals of the temperance movement. Doubtless they feared doing so might reignite the passionate fire that drove alcohol underground.  Also, since many of America’s brewers came from Germany, they surely were aware of the frightening prospect of being linked with un-American values and goose-stepping goons. Better to cleave close to mom, apple pie, and the good ‘ol American way of life than take any chances.

In truth the United Brewers Industrial Foundation had been in existence since 1862 and like most trade organizations its chief interest was lobbying for favorable legislation and tax breaks for its members. The organization did some good, supporting the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, but its failure to recognize that the Prohibition Movement and Anti-Saloon League presented a serious threat to the sale of alcoholic beverages proved flawed and from 1920 through 1933 the sale, production, and transport of alcohol became against the law in the United States.

As a little aside, in 1941, when this ad ran, the president of the United Brewers Industrial Foundation was none other than Rudy Schaefer, the owner of Schaefer Beer.