The Prohibition Room
The Prohibition Era began in 1920, when it became illegal, with few exceptions, to consume alcohol and extended until 1933.
From the late 1890s through the early 1900’s many communities had passed restrictions on alcohol consumption. These restrictions were part of the “Temperance Movement”, which tried to stem the consumption of alcohol in an effort to curb social problems and other medical issues. But it was not until November 18, 1918, when the Eighteenth Amendment to the US. Constitution was passed by Congress that alcohol was prohibited. This was codified by the Volstead Act of October 28, 2019, which defined what were intoxicating liquors and the penalties for producing them.
Prohibition began on January 17, 1920, and was almost immediately unpopular. People began to produce alcohol at home (Bathtub Gin) and private businesses known as “Speakeasy’s”, where you could buy liquor, became commonplace all over the country, taking the place of saloons.
The Irish Pub of Atlantic City was a “Speakeasy” throughout the 1920’s, into the 1930’s and some of the remnants of that time exist in The Irish Pub Hotel to this day.
Prohibition effectively ended on December 5, 1933, with the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution which repealed the 18th Amendment and allowed the legal consumption of alcohol with few limitations.
Thus, Prohibition proved that you cannot long stop the majority of the American public from having what they want.
This is another example of the Gayety Girls musical shows that were held in the Gayety Theatre in London, England starting in the 1890’s.
Please refer to item # 0086 for a full description.
Vintage Peggy Gay “The Star Girl…Herself” London, England, 3 Act Show Poster.
The “Murdock Brothers” were really twin brothers Bob and Bill Bradbury, born in 1907. Their parents were show people, so it was natural for Bob and Bill to have a comedy act in Vaudeville in the mid 1920’s.
Bill went on to become a physician, treating such Hollywood stars as Shirley Temple and Ester Williams.
Bob became the youngest cowboy leading man in western film history in his first staring role as “Bob Steele” in “The Mohave Kid” in 1927.
Over the next 40 years Bob became famous for many leading and character roles in Movies as well as TV Shows, appearing 5 times with his Brother Bill’s college classmate, John “Duke” Wayne.
A turn of the century boxing poster featuring a film by James A. Williamson. He was a British film pioneer. In 1902 Williamson founded his Kinematographic Company in Brighton, England and is credited with many innovations in movie history.
This Circa 1910’s Photo shows a group of bathing beauties on the beach. Notice the attire that almost completely covers the body as well as the large hats and parasols to shield sunshine from each lady’s skin. At this time, a fair complexion, not a suntan, was the norm for beachgoers, especially for female style and fashion.
This Vaudeville type show was presented by the Dramatic Club of the American Engineering Company on November 24, 1924, in Philadelphia, PA.
A travelogue of New York City, NY nightclubs and hot spots, this 1933 movie stars Ed Sullivan as he speaks with guest stars Boxing Legend Jack Dempsey, Singer Ruth Etting, Actress Blossom Seeley, Actor Bert Lahr (the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz”) and Comic Icon Jack Benny.
As you know, we all lead more than one life. In an earlier time, The Irish Pub of Atlantic City was once a “Speakeasy”, which were undercover saloons that sprouted up during the Prohibition Era of 1920-1933 when the production of alcohol was illegal. This Poster shows the September 3, 1920, New York Times story that recounts a raid of the Pub in order to stop this “Illegal” activity. The Prohibition Era ended on December 5, 1933, but there are still remnants of the “Speakeasy” to this day in The Irish Pub Hotel.
From 1920 through 1933 if you were found guilty of violating the “Volstead Act” which were the legal regulations for the production and distribution of alcohol, the “Speakeasy” was closed, and a flyer or placard was placed on the establishment. This poster comes from somewhere in the Midwest and while it says the place is closed, what usually happened was the “Speakeasy’ was just moved to a place down the street or around the corner, the owners operating again within days or weeks. Adults wanted to drink alcohol, and nothing was going to stop them.
The Irish Pub of Atlantic City was closed for a time during Prohibition but is open for business every day, over 100 years later.
Larry Benner was a clown and magician as well as a Vaudeville era show promoter.
His show competed in the 1920’s with the renown Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Follies for talent and spectators and this poster features his “Fantasies of 1929” Show.
From 1920 through 1933 if you were found guilty of violating the “Volstead Act” which were the legal regulations for the production and distribution of alcohol, the “Speakeasy” was closed, and a flyer or placard was placed on the establishment. This poster comes from somewhere in the Midwest and while it says the place is closed, what usually happened was the “Speakeasy’ was just moved to a place down the street or around the corner, the owners operating again within days or weeks. Adults wanted to drink alcohol, and nothing was going to stop them.
The Irish Pub of Atlantic City was closed for a time during Prohibition but is open for business every day, over 100 years later.
The four-time Governor of the State of New York, Al Smith was the 1st man of Catholic faith to run for the office of President of the United States.
Although he lost that race, he was always a strong voice against Prohibition and championed the safety and rights of hard-working American families, especially those who shared his Irish heritage.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it.
We hope you have enjoyed reviewing the Irish Pub of Atlantic City Memorabilia Display.
We have done our best to photograph and digitize our items, but nothing takes the place of seeing them in person.
So, we invite you to stop by the The Irish Pub the next time you visit Atlantic City, NJ.
Park your car in our Free Parking Lot, open our front door and enter a time machine that will take you back to some of the finest times that have made America the fine nation that it is.
Enjoy!
Cathy and Richard Burke.
