Prohibition (1915)
A silent-era temperance drama about jealousy, alcoholism, and one couple's fight to overcome a family curse.
Prohibition - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1915
- Directed by: Hal Reid
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1915 (United States)
- Production Companies: Photo Drama Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Prohibition - Plot
Jealous Ben attempts to destroy the engagement of his alcoholic brother, Dick, to the teetotaler Hattie by repeatedly sabotaging Dick's sobriety and even attempting physical harm. Despite Ben's numerous, escalating interventions—including framing Dick for assault and attempting to force a divorce after their wedding—the couple overcomes his sabotage. The story concludes with Hattie employing a unique visualization method during pregnancy to ensure her child avoids the family curse of drink.
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Prohibition - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Hal Reid
Main Cast
- Charles Trowbridge
- Charles Dow Clark
- Thurlow Bergen
- David Wall
- Virginia Westbrook
- William Jennings Bryan
- Mary Moore
Writers
- Hal Reid
Producers
- William Steiner
Prohibition - FAQs
What is Prohibition (1915) about?
Prohibition follows Dick Larkin, an alcoholic whose jealous brother Ben relentlessly tries to ruin his engagement and later his marriage to the teetotaler Hattie. The film escalates through framing, sabotage, and attempted harm, ultimately resolving with Hattie using a visualization method to protect her unborn child from the family's curse of drink.
Who directed the 1915 film Prohibition?
Prohibition was directed by Hal Reid, who also wrote the screenplay. Reid was a prolific figure in early American cinema and theater, and this film stands as one of his contributions to the silent-era temperance genre, produced by the Photo Drama Company.
Who are the main actors in Prohibition?
The cast includes Charles Trowbridge as Dick Larkin, Charles Dow Clark as the scheming brother Ben, Virginia Westbrook as Hattie Holmes, Thurlow Bergen, David Wall, and Mary Moore. Notably, real-life politician and orator William Jennings Bryan appears as himself, lending the film a striking documentary quality.
Why does William Jennings Bryan appear in Prohibition?
William Jennings Bryan appears as himself in Prohibition, lending the film considerable political and cultural weight. Bryan was a prominent advocate for temperance and a three-time presidential candidate, so his presence directly aligned with the film's anti-alcohol message and helped lend it credibility with reform-minded audiences of the era.
Is Prohibition (1915) a lost film?
Prohibition is widely considered a lost film, meaning no known surviving print has been confirmed to exist. Like a vast number of silent-era productions, the original nitrate reels are believed to have deteriorated or been destroyed over the decades, making it a rare and historically significant piece of early American cinema.
What themes does the 1915 film Prohibition explore?
The film digs into alcoholism, family loyalty, jealousy, and the then-popular belief in hereditary temperance — the idea that a parent's habits could be passed to their children. It reflects the broader temperance movement sweeping America in the years leading up to the 18th Amendment and national Prohibition in 1920.
What are films similar to Prohibition (1915)?
If you enjoy early silent dramas, you might explore The Scarlet Letter (1917), The Battle of Gettysburg (1913), The Great Lover (1920), or Under Cover (1916). For more modern takes on alcoholism and family struggle, Another Round (2020) and The Way Back (2020) offer compelling, emotionally rich perspectives.
When was Prohibition released?
Prohibition was released on January 1, 1915, in the United States. It arrived during a pivotal moment in American social history, as the temperance movement was gaining enormous momentum — just five years before the 18th Amendment officially banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol across the country.
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